[Elecraft] 897 vs K3

[Dave G4AON]

I'm not sure that the K3 is light years ahead of the 897D in all areas,
but it certainly outperforms them in several. I used to use an FT857D,
which is basically the same as the 897D but with a  different case and
front panel, extensively for portable work from a leisure batter and
initially thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Ignoring the
need to use menus more on the smaller transceiver, which is a trade off
between size and operator convenience, the  "problems" with the FT897D are:

1. The receiver always sounds tiring, I tried reduced gain via the
engineering menu but that didn't help. It was "OK" out portable on 6m
but in the shack on HF it didn't last more than a few minutes before I
had to switch to my K2. The mode/band most often used at home was 80m
CW. I haven't compared one to a K3 as I got rid of mine before I bought
my K3.

2. Beware that on transmit the early FT857D was prone to outputting
spikes at the leading edge of a CW transmission and after a pause on
SSB, when running less than full power. This is totally unacceptable
behaviour and the main reason for getting rid of mine. Later models may
have been improved but it's something to check if you intend to purchase
one. For details of my findings and a partial work around see:
http://www.astromag.co.uk/ft857d/

3. There are no proper CW keyer memories, only a "beacon" feature which
is peculiar. The 897D may be different, but I bought a code cube to go
with my Palm mini paddle as the only solution to the awful internal
keyer/memory.

I suppose there will always be a certain appeal with a radio that covers
160m to 70cms, but I'd far rather have the K3 which covers 600m to 2m
depending on which internal modules you fit.

The K3 isn't perfect, but it's way ahead of the 897D.

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
--------------------
Well here's a dilemma..... do I get an 897D or do I dive in and get a K3
to start with than upgrade it from there. The thing that sticks out is
that K3 is light years ahead of the 897D. However I would have to get
brand new because the asking used price is such that no one is willing
to work with me on.

thoughts?

73,

Ben