[Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

Sat Jul 4 22:00:56 EDT 2009

It is with some reluctance that I write this Howard, but because I do not 
own a K3, I thought that you might be interested in an opinion that cannot 
be thought of being biased in response to some of your comments, which I 
respect.

As someone who has been involved with the hardware design of high 
performance comms equipment for the military and others, I can assure you 
that some form of work in progress is the norm in this branch of 
engineering. If you take a good look at the design of  commercial receivers 
designed for the amateur market, you will find more often than not that the 
design of this year's model sold by company X is a  version of their last 
year's model with a few modifications, along with some cosmetic changes to 
the box and / or front panel - be it a new bandscope or whatever - which is 
expensive for buyers who want the latest version.

Where Elecraft have got it right with the K3 I believe, is that they 
released a radio which performed well, then improved it and are continuing 
to improve it without having to release a new model. The people who benefit 
from this are, of course, the owners of the K3 who don't have to buy a new 
K3 MK II next year with some improvements incorporated, and later on a K3 
MKIII with further improvements, ad nauseum.

I do not believe that neither an amateur nor a non-amateur rig exists which 
cannot be improved upon.

The K3 when released performed well with a a few bugs I understand. I 
believe that during my 50+ years association with the comms industry and 
comms equipment Users, I have very seldom seen equipment released that was 
100% bug free, and feedback from Users and customers is vital. It is rare to 
get a response from the Principals of a manufacturing company as is 
frequently offered by Elecraft's Principals. Without going through all of 
the customer feedback regarding the K3 that has been posted on the Elecraft 
Reflector, I suspect that there have been far fewer postings concerning bugs 
than suggestions for improvement, or help to other owners of the K3.

I cannot make comment on the ARRLs K3 transmitter tests without verifying 
the test results.

I have no financial interest in Elecraft.

Regards,

Geoff
GM4ESD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "HowardZ" <HowardZ at howardz.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

>
> Well, I see the elecraft K3 as still a work in progress.
>
> No, I am not referring to the firmware/software mods.
>
> I am referring to continuing hardware mods.
> The latest is the audio filter to make SSB audio actually sound good - 
> like
> a good radio sounds.
>
> It was very nice of you all to buy the radios before everything worked
> right,
> and provide feedback to Elecraft,
> and test the hardware and software improvements,
> and open your multi-thousand dollar radios and stick your soldering iron 
> in
> there....
>
> but that's not for me.
> I want to buy a factory built radio - and be happy and done with it.
>
> Now, some things just don't make any sense whatsoever to me - but must to
> others.
> Why in world will someone pay so much money for 10watt 2meter in their
> elecraft, when
> they can buy a 50 watt 2m/70cm radio with more power, can be used for 
> MARS,
> and maybe even a built-in TNC for around the same amount?  I don't know -
> maybe someone wants to do weak signal
> SSB on 2m?  Well with 10 watts you'll also be providing weak signals for
> others to enjoy - hihi.
>
> I would never buy a new ICOM model in the first year - because usually 
> there
> are some hardware bugs found during the first year.  How many years should
> one wait for Elecraft?  I'm not sure.
>
> Then there is the K3's transmitter.  ARRL test reviews shows it on par 
> with
> the old 746pro's transmitter.  The Flex 5000's "new redesigned 
> transmitter"
> scores top of the class in ARRL testing.  Leaps and bounds better than the
> K3's transmitter.   I bet Elecraft may soon be redesigning its transmitter
> to meet or even 1-up Flex's transmitter.  Why not have the best cleanest
> transmitter to go along with the best receiver?
>
> Maybe I should wait for 2 years of no further hardware modifications - 
> then
> I'll know Elecraft finally finished the radio's hardware.  I just don't 
> have
> the self-confidence to go hardware-modding such an expensive radio.
>
> So, you are enjoying the world's best receiver now....and I'll enjoy it a
> few years from now.
>
> Yes, I can think this and not write it.
> But then you went and wrote how Elecraft has finished the radio.
>
> No hard feelings.
> Howard
> -- 
> View this message in context: 
> http://n2.nabble.com/K3-eHam-review-after-2%2B-years-tp3202931p3206781.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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