[Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?

Sun Dec 26 14:42:10 EST 2010

You will be like... Gadzookes sure am glad I didn't buy that kencomyeatek.

Sent from my iPad

On Dec 26, 2010, at 12:35 PM, Gary K9GS <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com> wrote:

> Yep...kind of like selling myself a new car :))
> 
> Thanks Phil.
> 
> On 12/26/2010 1:27 PM, Phil Townsend wrote:
>> 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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> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> 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
> 
> ************************************************
> 