[Elecraft] K3 - CQWW SSB Observations - R U kidding?

[David Y.]

Hi All,

I think we are getting a pretty strong message here in this thread.  It has 
been my observation that avid contesters are probably the most critical hams 
when it comes to their radios.  I know a few folks who I think are pretty 
serious about contesting, and it certainly seems to me that they dig pretty 
deep when deciding just what they want to be using.  And I would certainly 
think that someone, like the person in Rochester who just dropped $25K or 
more for 8 K3's, didn't do that without a lot of very serious evaluation.

I suppose some significant part of the decision making process is that, in 
order to step up further (if you can really even do that!), you need to 
spend $5K, $6K, or even $10K to do it.  You won't get a better RX, but you 
might pick up a feature or two that is of interest.

While we seem to have something approaching a "consensus" as to the 
superiority of the K3, it isn't "unanimous".  It never will be, and for a 
lot of reasons.  However, I think it's pretty amazing just how extensive the 
appreciation for the K3's capabilities seems to be.  It reminds me of the 
domination that Collins seemed to have in the 60's.  Not everyone had one, 
but most people wanted one!  Nearly every QSO I have, using my K3, turns 
into a "Q & A" session about how do I like it, etc.  Obviously not everyone 
has a K3 right now, but there sure are a lot of folks out there who seem to 
want one!  I'm kind of enjoying being envied!

Dave W7AQK



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Maser" <bmaser9 at q.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>; "DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL" <dougzzz at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - CQWW SSB Observations - R U kidding?


> Doug, I was very happy to read you analysis of the K3 radio.  I have mine 
> on
> order and it should arrive tomorrow barring another snow storm like we had
> yesterday.  I have be reading most of the posts to the Elecraft reflector
> and it is quite intimidating.  My plan is to apply power, connect an 
> antenna
> and a mic and start playing.  I just sold my Flex 5000A because I got 
> tired
> of all the tweaking and discussion. Your post has given me hope.  BTW, a
> good friend of mine in the Rochester area has just received  8 K3's  for 
> his
> multi-multi station.  He doesn't think that the K3 is complicated at all.
>
> Bob W6TR Fort Collins, CO
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL" <dougzzz at gmail.com>
> To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:46 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - CQWW SSB Observations - R U kidding?
>
>
>> The K3 is as simple or complex as you want to make it.  I have a pair
>> of K3s (and still a K2) and I contest 99% of the time I'm on the
>> radio.  Honestly, I hardly ever touch anything other than the tuning
>> knob.  I think many folks using "other" radios NEED to play with the
>> knobs because of the inherently inferior design of the RX.  The K3 is
>> so good "as is" one really does not need to "twiddle the knobs" much
>> at all.  You certainly are NOT going into the menus during the contest
>> (if you're a serious all band contester).  I am not saying you can't
>> twiddle around, but for 99% of the contacts, there is no need.
>>
>> Too complicated?  Well, selfishly, I hope that rumor continues to
>> spread so those us who already own the K3 can maintain our undeniable
>> advantage for contesting in crowded, multiple strong signal
>> environments.  Hey, I did win both modes CQWW for USA qrp last year
>> (yes, using the K3).
>>
>> And yes, there are several BIG contest stations that have moved to all
>> K3s (including Multi-multi).
>>
>> Just because a radio is capable of being "changed on the fly to the
>> nth degree" does not mean you're doing that all the time (or more than
>> once or twice a year).
>>
>> de Doug KR2Q
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