[Elecraft] Major Flaw in the K3

[Larry Phipps]

Congrats Bob. That is the most deftly worded query about the KPA1500 I 
have heard! I thought you eschewed high power, though ;-) Because of the 
K3, the old saying that "You can't work 'em if you can't hear 'em", may 
have to be revised.

73,
Larry N8LP



Bob Locher wrote:
> I have found a really major flaw in the K3. It can be fixed with an 
> accessory but it will be very expensive. The flaw can be a great 
> frustration. Fortunately, I have been able to fully document what 
> causes it.
>
> Here it is - the receiver hears entirely too well.
>
> I am hearing all sorts of DX, particularly on 40 and 20 meters, where 
> I spend most of my time. I am hearing a lot of rare DX stations that 
> no one else is calling.
>
> The frustration is that when I call them they can't hear me. Often not 
> at all, while at other times they try to get my call but do not manage 
> it. Just because they are S0 or S1 in the K3 is not an excuse; they 
> are solid Q5 copy. This is not a single isolated incident; this has 
> happened to me repeatedly. Of course, once these stations have K3's 
> the problem will probably go away; then they will be able to hear me. 
> But in the mean time this issue must be dealt with.
>
> I see two possible solutions. One is to turn off the receiver preamp 
> and turn on the attenuator that Elecraft has so thoughtfully provided 
> - this makes me suspect that Wayne knew all along that this would be a 
> problem - the other is to add a 1500 watt solid state linear with 
> built in antenna tuner and full QSK. I suspect that this is the fix 
> that Eric has in mind.
>
> 73
>
> Bob W9KNI
>
>
>
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