[Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

xdavid at cis-broadband.com xdavid at cis-broadband.com
Sun Jul 5 12:42:33 EDT 2009 

Yes, some of the stuff posted on the Elecraft reflector is giddy fanaticism (i.e., the "Elecraft mojo" threads), but I don't think any of the responses to Howard's posting so far have been in that category.  They've all been pretty objective and none have berated Howard for expressing his opinion.  What specifically did you feel was inappropriate?

In my case, I researched available rigs pretty extensively before making what I thought was an objective decision a few months ago to buy a K3, so as a counter to your accusation of fanaticism I'll ask you the same question I asked Howard ... what current rig (specific brand and model) would you consider to be more stable hardware-wise and still provide approximately equivalent performance in its price class to the K3?  I'd honestly like to know, but my guess is that neither of you will step forward with an answer.

73,
Dave   AB7E


------Original Mail------
From: "Carl Smithson" <carlsmithson at dishmail.net>
To: "'HowardZ'" <HowardZ at howardz.com>,
    <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 08:37:26 -0400
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

Howard, you gota remember this is the Elecraft list and you aren't allowed
to post anything negative. I see the same fanaticism on the Collins, Yaesu
and Icom lists.
Sonny






-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of HowardZ
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:29 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years


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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