[Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years

[Julian, G4ILO]

Howard.

I recently had a problem with noise. I got an MFJ-1026. You can read my
experiences of it and even listen to an audio sample here:
http://www.g4ilo.com/mfj1026.html. It fits nicely between the RX in and out
sockets of the KXV3 interface so you can easily switch it in and out of
circuit. The K3 takes care of the TX/RX switching so your transmitted signal
does not have to go through the appalling messy wiring inside the MFJ-1026.
It does the job for me, but Dave G4AON has one and it sits on a shelf
because it didn't work for him, so YMMV.

As for your comments on the K3, I think you got off amazingly lightly
considering some of the vitriol that has been sent in my direction and even
requests to have me banned from the reflector for making comments that were
considered critical of Elecraft. I think Don was pretty well spot on with
the review he posted on eHam. The K3 will probably never be "100% finished"
but what he said was that all the modes and the subreceiver are working 100%
which I believe is true (though I don't have the subreceiver, so as far as
that goes it is not a personal observation.)

As for the hardware mods, well it is frustrating as an owner of an early
model (S/N 222) to see it becoming "outdated" by improvements that are made
as the product evolves, but that is something that happens with any
electronic product. The difference with Elecraft is that they don't keep
quiet about it, and even make the information available so those who are
able can update their rigs to the latest specification. For those who can't,
there is always the option of selling the rig and buying a new later model,
which is no less than you'd have to do if you'd bought a Yaesu or Icom, or a
computer come to that which is generally obsolete a couple of months after
you bought it. If you can afford to wait a year or two for the improved
model, you probably don't need it in the first place.

I agree with your thoughts about the 2m 10W module. Personally I would have
preferred to have seen an updated range of KXV external transverters, styled
to match the K3 and with uprated heat sinking to handle FM mode. I would
have thought that was more in keeping with the K3's high end aspirations.
Because that wasn't available I ended up getting a third party transverter
of even higher spec (and greater cost.) But the 10W 2m module is only an
option. You don't have to buy it if you don't need it. So if people buy it
then I guess it filled a need, whatever you or I think about it.

I also think you have a fair point with regards to the transmitter. A radio
with the K3's receive performance is going to be used very often to drive
some high powered linears. It may be used in preference to some big desktop
radios with high voltage PAs offering better linearity. But the K3 was also
designed to be a portable radio that could run off a 13.8V supply. That I
believe is the real limiting factor to the TX performance. It's all about
compromise. If the K3 had been made with a PA that required a dedicated 40V
or whatever supply that would have put off some people. You can't please
everybody. The choice Elecraft made suits me personally.

The thing so many people forget is that there are so many different ways to
take part in this hobby, that may require different emphases in the design
of a radio. The great thing is that there is a choice available. If you make
an intelligent buying decision, you can get the perfect radio for your
needs, or as near perfect as you can expect.

I have certainly been critical of Elecraft in the past for taking longer
than I expected to fulfil the expectations I had of the K3, but I believe,
like Don, that they have finally made it. I'm glad I "hung in there" through
the various issues. I'm sorry I upset some people by some of my criticisms,
but I do believe that they - and the criticisms made by others - have helped
make the K3 the radio it is today. And at this moment in time I'm very
pleased to be a K3 owner.

-----
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

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