[Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?

[Phil Townsend]

Gary... Seems to me your already own a K3!!!

Phil
Santa Fe


Sent from my iPad

On Dec 26, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Gary K9GS <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com> wrote:

> 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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