[Elecraft] k3/100 Newcomer

[Ci Jones]

I recently built the barebones K3 after cancelling my order about two 
years ago. Instead, I went from a Ten Tec Orion to a Ten Tec Omni VII 
due to the backlog in orders and wanting to wait and see how the radio 
developed. As I stated in a review, the Omni VII was the the best and 
friendliest radio I have owned in almost six years as a ham. I have 
built and still own a K2/100, KX1 and K1--all great rigs for the 
purposes they are meant to serve.

After operating the K3 QRP CW for several weeks, I went ahead and 
ordered (and have installed) the Power Amp and internal Auto Tuner 
along with some roofing filters for CW. While Ten Tec is a great 
American company with great staff and equipment, for my purposes of 
casual operating and contests with a little DX and lots of QRP, 
Elecraft is the best in my book.

Being a retired clergyperson and part-time CPA, I am not a technical 
ham operator (probably like most people reading this reflector). 
Reading the postings about the "noisy" K3 were helpful in some ways and 
frightening in others. But the crucial part of my posting here is that 
my K3 was noisier than my Ten Tec rigs until I installed the roofing 
filters. Now, it is either as quiet or quieter than either the Orion or 
the Omni VII. If you are reading this note and have been scared off by 
other postings by more technical members of the group, rest assured the 
K3 is an absolutely wonderful radio and well worth the money invested 
in it. You can trust both the technical folks here, and especially the 
folks at Elecraft.

When the geniuses at Elecraft figured out how to make my KX1 function 
on 80 meters after having been compactly designed for 20, 30 and 40 
meters, I knew I was hooked and would probably own at least one of each 
of their kits. I have nothing but appreciation and admiration for such 
as wonderful company of people as Elecraft.....73, Ci


Ci Jones, WU7R
SKCC #22T
K3/100 - #3720
K2/100 - #4615
K1 - #2668
KX1- #957