[Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

[HowardZ]

Ah Don,

You are so kind.  I expected to be labeled a troll.

Monte, yes, I got hid hard by the IT recession - and never recovered - and
now we have another recession.  I work at under half my last IT salary -
managing/leading squads of TSA screeners - making
sure they do their jobs by the book - to keep our country safe.  I do not
expect to ever get
another IT job.

I do save my pennies and like to buy quality equipment.
I have a Palstar auto-tuner - it's the best!
It can be computer controlled, but nobody wrote any software for it.
So I wrote a Java program to control it - it's available from the Palstar AT
AUTO yahoo group.
Java is easy, but all that reusable code that comes with it - took a bit of
reading/research.

I saved my pennies and purchased the SGC 500 amplifier.
It really has great self protection, has auto band switching, and operates
on 12 to 14 volts.

I deal with S5 to S9 noise every day on Mars nets.
They don't go find a quieter frequency - they just deal with it.
I'm close to having saved enough for a better radio.
I don't like the Flex approach - favoring the Elecraft design.

But alas - I don't feel the radio is finished - hardware wise.
Icom, Flex, Elecraft - they all have downloadable firmware/software - 
I'm not afraid of new software releases.
Hardware mods - yep - I don't want to deal with them.

And I only brought it up because the first poster showed us his eham review,
which seemed to be stating that the K3 is done/perfected/100%.

But I will wait a little longer.

BTW, maybe I don't need a better radio?
Maybe a MFJ 1026?
Maybe a beverage antenna?
Maybe if all the MARS members purchase a 500 watt transmitter?
Nosie noise nosie...

Howard


Don Ehrlich wrote:
> 
> Howard writes thoughtfully and I like his style.  His comments are well 
> thought out and cleverly put and I welcome them.  Thank you Howard.  The 
> early K3 was not your cup of tea but it is exactly what I wanted .. we all 
> have different needs.  So, what else is new?
> 
> I have had my K3 #195 for 18 months now and I am simply delighted.  It was 
> perfect for *me*.
> 
> Don K7FJ
> 
>>
>> 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
> 
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