[Elecraft] K3 - first impressions

[David F. Reed]

I received my K3 yesterday, after ordering in late October last year 
(waiting primarily to have it shipped with 2nd RX, pre-built).  After 
having it on the bench for most of the last 24 hours and using it in a 
side by side comparison with my IC-7800, I thought I would pass on my 
first impressions.

I am both amazed and pleased that Elecraft have continued to pack and 
amazing radio into the size and weight of the package.

I find it to perform as well or better than my IC-7800 in many areas.  
If I had to choose between getting two fully loaded K3s or a 7800, hands 
down, Elecraft wins. There are however a couple of things I like better 
about the IC-7800:

   1. The spectrum scope and display, with video output.

   2. The availability of many features without menus; i.e. lots of
      knobs and switches.

   3. The built in power supply and 200 watts.

   4. Rack mountable (19" rack panel)

All of those seem tied to the battleship construction and hernia 
inducing weight of the 7800; of these, the spectrum scope is the most 
important to me, so I am looking into the LP-Pan as a possible solution.

I have a lot more learning to do, to be able to use it more effectively 
without constantly referring back to the manual, but so far, an amazing 
radio.

I am waiting for the MARS mod software to try it out there, and will 
start exploring how it does in the sound card digital modes early this week.

Well worth the wait; great job Elecraft!

I have not figured out if it does this, but I think a worthwhile feature 
would be to disconnect the antenna automatically on power down (my PW-1 
does this) as a small measure of protection.

73 de Dave, W5SV / NNN0SLA