[Elecraft] New Eham.net K3 review by QRPNEW

[Jim Garland]

> 
> I see that a new review of the K3 has appeared on Eham.net which will no
> doubt raise the hackles of the paid-up members of the Elecraft fan club,
> and
> cause nods of agreement from many others.
> 
> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6673
> 
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.

I read the review, and while "QRPNEW" took a few unwarranted pot shots at
the K3, I also thought he made some interesting and valid points. The gist
of his comments is that the K3 can't quite decide whether it wants to be a
small portable transceiver, or a full-sized full-featured base station
transceiver, and in trying to be both it falls short in several respects.

In my own station I can toggle back and forth between my K3 and my FT2000D.
The Yaesu has it own problems, as anyone who reads the Yaesu reflectors will
soon learn, but it is clearly more "user friendly" than the K3. Changing
bands and modes is much more convenient, the tuning knob is larger and has a
wonderful silky smooth feel, there are dedicated knobs for the monitor,
keyer speed, processor, and other common functions, the display is easier to
read and more informative, the S-meter is much better, etc.  None of these
speak to the actual electrical performance of the FT2000, but just to its
convenience and useability.

What QRPNEW would like to see is an Elecraft that combines the user
friendliness of the best Japanese radios with the electrical sophistication
of the K3. While QRPNEW would probably agree that the K3 is the ultimate
Dxpedition rig, he correctly observes that most hams merely want a
top-performing rig that stays put in their station and that is easy to use.

Like many other Elecraft devotees, I was somewhat offended by the tone of
QRPNEW's criticism. However, I don't think there is much to be gained by
being defensive or dismissive of the substance of _some_ of his remarks. As
Wayne and the other folks at Elecraft think about the future of their
product line, I hope they keep some of his points in mind.

73,
Jim W8ZR