[Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?

[Gary K9GS]

Hello all and Happy Holidays!

I've been reading the K3 reflector for the past couple of weeks.  I'm in 
the market for a new radio and have my choices narrowed down to a couple 
models to replace my TS-850S which has served me very well.

First my operating interests:

I primarily spend my time contesting, DX contests in particular, and 
most of my time on 80 and 40M.  99% of the time I operate CW.  So, in 
particular, low band CW performance is important to me.  In between 
contests I spend my time DXing, again primarily on the low bands.  Some 
occasional VHF operating on 6 and 2M.

I'd also like to point out that I do interface my radios to a dedicated 
computer using Win XP pro and use N1MM for contesting and Logger 32 for 
general operating.  Both of these applications are very well supported 
and the K3 is well represented among users.

I've narrowed my choices down to two radios, the FTDX5000 and the K3.  
There are several things keeping me from falling in love with the FTDX5000:

1)  The CW break-in performance is broken in the FTDX5K above ~30 wpm, 
resulting in chopped characters, and from what I'm told, really bad 
sounding on the air.
2)  The APF filter is also not working correctly.
3)  The contour control does not function on CW, I believe only on SSB.

Of course, these limitations COULD be fixed by Yaesu in future revisions 
but I'm apprehensive that Yaesu is going to fix anything.  They 
certainly don't participate in the FTDX5000 user forums although 
supposedly they do read the posts.  Sort of the "we know what we're 
doing, there's no problem" attitude with JA radio manufacturers.  After 
all, how many FT-1000XX radios were built with the key click problem?  I 
don't think Yaesu ever admitted there was an issue and the fix was 
relatively simple to implement in production.

At $5K plus one would hope these problems are addressed but one never 
knows.  Certainly Elecraft is much more responsive and is actively 
involved in post sale issues and solutions.

I've never been a fan of ICOM HF radios although the IC-7800 gets good 
reviews but at $10K per radio???  I've also used Ten-Tec before and 
never been a big fan plus the Orion II suffers from a poor performing 
2nd receiver and I know of several locals that have had there Orions 
back for service/updates several times.  So what else is there and am I 
missing anything else?

Which brings me to the K3.  This radio seems, to me, to be exactly what 
I'm looking for.  I really can't think of anything holding me back.

I'm looking at the 100W model with the following accessories:

a)  KAT3
b) KXV3A
c) 2.8K 8 pole SSB filter
d) 400 hz 8 pole filter
e) 250 hz 8 pole filter

Future options would be the KRX sub receiver, K144XV-K 2M Module (I do 
some VHF operating but presently have a rig for 2M SSB anyway),   I'm 
not currently using any receive antennas on 80/40M.  I'd like an opinion 
on this but I don't think I see the advantage to buying the sub receiver 
UNTIL I have receive antennas available for diversity reception?  What 
am I missing here?

I don't operate any of the digital modes but I would like to do so.  Is 
the 2.8K filter adequate for digital modes or do I want something different?

I also like the portability of the K3 as I am planning on some future 
DX-pedition use.  I can't see lugging a 43 pound FTDX5000 through 
airport security either.

Sorry for the long post but I wanted to have a sanity check with some 
experienced K3 users that know the K3 and have similar interests and 
requirements.  I'm on vacation this week and one thing I do plan on 
doing is dropping by a local in or DX club and using his K3 for a couple 
of hours.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

-- 


73,

Gary K9GS

Check out K9NS on the web:  http://www.k9ns.com
Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com

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