[Elecraft] [K3] Re: Re: K3 VS 7600 Sherwood List

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> Now that the CW keyed envelope and ALC issues have been 
> solved, the next hurdle is keep pushing for better Tx IMD 
> specs.  When that happens, then I suspect more ops can then 
> take advantage of the K3's close-spaced receive performance.

I think a higher priority target should be transmitted phase 
noise. My neighbor's Icom generally wipes out most of whatever 
band he's on -  at least +/- 100 KHz whether he's on CW or SSB.  
The K3 copes far better with the blocking effects than any 
other rig I've had but transmitted phase noise is impossible 
to avoid. 

BTW, the interesting new entry on the Sherwood list is the 
Flex-3000.  While not in the K3 class, it shows rather good 
narrow IMD specs.  Like the Flex-5000 it could stand some 
work on the LO noise front but blocking and LO noise data is 
still comparable with some other well known rigs - including 
the 7600 and K2. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
  




> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul 
> Christensen
> Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2009 12:24 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft][K3] Re: Re: K3 VS 7600 Sherwood List
> 
> 
> > "Very few of the 7600,7700 and 7800 owners will recognize that K3 
> > costing way less is equal or superior on some cases than 
> theirs,surely 
> > they feel embarrased to have spent so much in such those Icoms when 
> > then we with $3K or less are doing the same job they do..."
> 
> Like Johnny, I have most of the mentioned Icom rigs as well 
> as a K3, but I'm 
> not sure I've been embarrassed about the Icom purchasing 
> decisions.  To Dave 
> Yarnes' point, there are indeed some positive operating and ergonomic 
> attributes of the Icoms that the K3 does not have -- but those same 
> attributes also allow the K3 to be used in a manner not 
> feasible with the 
> Icoms (e.g., size and weight for grab-'n-go portable 
> operations).   So, 
> looking at the feature set requires looking beyond what one 
> product has or 
> doesn't have to offer.
> 
> >From a performance perspective, I doubt I will ever see the positive
> benefits of the K3's strong signal handling performance.  
> Living in a gated 
> community with all its limitations mask that superior benefit 
> -- as well as 
> the other limitations already raised -- SSB Tx IMD and CW 
> clicks from other 
> stations.  But at the same time, look at how much attention 
> has been given 
> to Tx performance in the last five years.  We finally have a set of 
> transceivers on the market that minimize transmitted spectrum 
> in CW mode. 
> Now that the CW keyed envelope and ALC issues have been 
> solved, the next 
> hurdle is keep pushing for better Tx IMD specs.  When that 
> happens, then I 
> suspect more ops can then take advantage of the K3's 
> close-spaced receive 
> performance.
> 
> Paul, W9AC
> 
>  
> 
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