[Elecraft] Is P3/K2 marriage feasable?

Sun Dec 26 17:26:28 EST 2010

Wondering what it would take to fully integrate a P3 with a K2? 

Perhaps its been done ??

Bill  K3UJ

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Perry <n4qs at comcast.net>
To: garyk9gs <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com>
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sun, Dec 26, 2010 3:54 pm
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?

Gary,
Regarding your question about digital modes and filters, the 2.8 kHz filter 
s fine for psk31 (which I operate only occasionally).  I do operate a lot 
f RTTY contests, and I use the 400 Hz filter and then use the DSP filtering 
o decrease the bandwidth to 300 Hz.  BTW, the K3 is far superior to the 850 
n RTTY reception due to this ability to use the narrow filters.  The P3 
akes it even easier tuning in RTTY sigs during busy band conditions.  As 
omeone else mentioned, you really have to see the P3 in operation to fully 
ppreciate its utility.  It's a game changer as far as I am concerned!
73,
Dave, N4QS
----- Original Message ----- 
rom: "Gary K9GS" <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com>
o: "'Elecraft'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
ent: Sunday, December 26, 2010 1:10 PM
ubject: [Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?

 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

 ************************************************
 ______________________________________________________________
 Elecraft mailing list
 Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
 Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
 Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
lecraft mailing list
ome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
elp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
ost: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
lease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html