[Elecraft] Lates eHam reviews

[Lee Buller]

I read RFEXPERT's review of the K3 and felt that he had some good points and some bad points.

1.  I do not like people not signing their name or call.  Cowardly in my estimation

2.  I do not think he spent enough time with the K3 for a really good understanding of the rig.  Today's modern rigs have so much software in them that you have to take time to learn it.  It takes time.

3.  Ergonomic comments about the rig...VFO, buttons, etc....is all personal preference, but the writer talks about contesting and how the radio cannot be a contest radio.  Many elite contesters had input on the design of this radio.  Changes were made because of their recommendations.  Again, you have to get use to the rig.  Being critical of something because one button function is no there the rig has to many menu selections is just dumb.  Even the YKITT rigs have a lot of menus.

4.  I also resent the fact that he claims there us some mojo society out there that only true Elecraft (Elecraftians) know about.  Hogwash.  They would not be in business long doing that kind of stuff.  I am a Elecraftian and I go to meetings often.

5.  AGC issues. Heck, I have not used AGC in years.  I thought it was worthless years ago, so I've never used it with an amp.  If you have a good signal going into the amp, then you don't need the AGC stuff.  Dumb.  Garbage in ... garbage out.  Clean in....Clean out.  AGC...come on...SHeeesh!

6.  Comments about audio processing is again a personal preference point.  Maybe we over process stuff anyway.  What about a clean neat signal, not so compressed and jacked-up.  Again, preferences.

7.  Back to contesting.  The person said it has to many menus  What are you going to order, Lobster?  Come on...  Set up the rig for SSB and do an SSB contest.  Set it up for CW and do a CW contest.  That is just lame comment.


Those are just a few of my talking points....  Operating the rig, I found the machine to be quite ergonomic.  I am a big guy with huge hands and I found that hitting the buttons or turning the knobs is not a big deal.  The big deal is knowing and remember what all the buttons and knobs do...and that is just experience and practice.  I had to do the same thing with the FT1000MP and the 756PROII.  The controls are well suited to me, but I have to get use to it.  When I was using the PROII I did not use every knob,button and menu item.  I doubt if I will with the K3.  If the bail is to high....do use it....use a wood block.  The bail cannot be menu controlled...whoops....there is another menu item.  The operator has responsibility how to implement the unit in her or his unique environment.

I am not in a the SEMS (Secret Elecraft Mojo Society) either.

Is the rig perfect?  No.  Can it be perfect?  Nothing is perfect, but improvements can be made through software...SDR radio!  Time is what is needed.  How many software up dates does Y K I give you?  I never had one the whole time I had my FT1000MP or PROII.  Ten Tec and Elecraft are the ones that are doing that.

Ok, now I have to shut down the rant...cool off...and take a shower.  I just found the some of the person's remarks to be without merit.

Lee - K0WA

 

In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?