[Elecraft] Is the K3 for non-contesters?

[K8TB]

STEPHEN W BANKS wrote:

 >I'm just curious about whether the K3's capabilities and performance are
 >as appealing to others like me (non-contesters) as they obviously are 
to contesters.

    Steve, I probably am the biggest "putz" operator/owner of a K3 there 
is. I am not into contest or DX'ing. I do enjoy PSK 31.
    I'm turning 55 this week, and have been in the hobby since I was 13.
    I can't explain it, but the K3, well, it's just "the" radio. It is 
an absolute joy just to tool around and listen with.
I have actual heard three different qso's where the folks where talking 
about the K3. So of course I had to break in. That will take over a 30 
minutes to answer questions.

    I also think this radio is going to be going strong 15-20 years from 
now. We can look at rigs like the TS-520 and SB-101 and state that they 
still work well after 30 years, but they don't perform like the K3.
    At the same time, a lot of us had a lot of fun with those tube type 
rigs. I remember buying a used SB-303/401, that wasn't working. I fixed 
it, and had that rig for a long time. It was a lot of fun.
   
    And to me, that is what the K3 gives you, for whatever unexplainable 
reason, is just fun to have in the shack. Don't worry about the fact 
that you are not a contester, just have fun with it.

    Another side note to this Elecraft/K3 thing is, the response from 
Elecraft. Firmware changes, that other manufactures would have to come 
with a new Model suffix with, (K3-MKII-G?), well Aptos kicks them out 
weekly.  Someone asks for change "X", which will only affect maybe 1 out 
ten operators, will be implemented. Then you have Simon, in the hills of 
Switzerland, writing code for HRD, which while it will works with 100+ 
rigs, will work exceptionally well for the K3, because Simon has one.

    It's fun. Go ahead and simply enjoy one of the most elegant and 
practical radios out there.

    tom k8tb

(getting really close to ordering a second K3, for the remote base)