[Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

Sun Jul 5 07:46:25 EDT 2009

I think with the K3 as is you'd be quite impressed with it.  Its a great
radio and its always getting better with software updates which require
no soldering or screwdrivers.  I think that honestly most of the updates
that require the use of a soldering iron are things that black box
operators wouldn't notice anyway.  

Also I'd be willing to bet for a small fee one could ship their K3 back
to Elecraft and have it updated as time goes forward.  Not sure how
small this fee would be but I'd bet its cheaper and less of a hassle
than buying a IC-756ProIII and selling your ProII to someone.  

The fact that more and more options keep coming out for it in my opinion
are what make it more exciting to me.  Granted I'm one who enjoys
melting solder inside but the additions that one can add w/o melting
solder are quite fun as well.  The additional 2M option (while I think
its a tad expensive (esp if you have to pay for our XVRTR interface
again)) is a great addition.  I doubt I'll want to pay that much for it
but I can see how it would be really nice to have the ability to do all
your 2M repeater work and what not all in one box on the desk.
Especially that you can put the repeaters into memories with *'s next
tot them and do repeater scanning and what not if one wanted.  

I dunno I really like that the radio as you get it isn't done and will
continue to get better.  Thats not to say that there is anything wrong
with it as its better in many respects than other radios on the market.
But, still yet the future is even brighter.  

I'm in the same boat when it comes to the purchase of a new laptop.  The
only difference is at the moment I have a fairly good laptop.  (when I
bought the K3 I was only borrowing a rig from my father so I owned
nothing).  But as I wait and wait and wait for the next laptop they keep
making another one that is slightly lighter than the previous model with
better battery life.  Then they release that same model with the same
battery life and weight but better performance.  Over and over the cycle
repeats.  No matter how long I wait right after I buy something there
*WILL* be something better.  

I see the K3 as a nice option in that a user can get into it now and not
worry about the future.  I also really have to hand it to Elecraft in
that if you're not one that has enough money to do it all in one shot
then you don't have to.  Simply buy the 10W rig to start with and then
when you finally have enough money to upgrade to the 100W model then do
so.  Then when you finally feel the need for an ATU and have the funds
then go ahead and add that.  Or maybe flexibility is more important to
you and you get the ATU before the PA.  How cool is it that you can
build the thing tailored to suit your needs?

Hum oh well.  I really like being included in the advancement of the
radio.  I think honestly if most users were to buy this radio and quit
reading the reflector they'd never feel the need or want to upgrade it.
But I thank all of the users who do read here and tinker and play with
the radio as thats one of the funner parts of the hobby for myself.

~Brett (KC7OTG)

On Sat, 2009-07-04 at 23:29 -0700, HowardZ wrote:
> 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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