[Elecraft] K3 vers K2 questions that I keep seeimg

Mon Jan 18 11:32:14 EST 2010

Don, Harry, and All,

As usual, Don has given a very cogent response to the question at hand.  One 
thing I would add is that I think much of the "problem" conversation you see 
here on the reflector is based more on personal preferences.  In other 
words, some folks like certain characteristics or features, and they know 
that there is a decent chance they can get a firmware adjustment which will 
match their particular preference.  I think much of the DSP discussion has 
been along that line.  There have been improvements to be sure, but there 
have been "adjustments" as well.

I have a field test version of the K2 as well, and if I were to load it up 
completely, it would have a cost approaching a basic K3, which comes stock 
with most of the features I would be adding to the K2.  That would be a 
viable option in my case, since I also use my K2 differently than I use my 
K3.  However, if I were only going to have one radio, it would clearly be 
the K3.  Most importantly, the K3 has considerable available space in its 
firmware for further upgrading, while the K2 has been pretty much "maxed 
out".

Also, a small correction possibly to Don's comparison of K2's sold vs. K3's 
sold.  If I'm not mistaken, the K3 really isn't 3 years old yet--at least 
not as far as actual sales (but perhaps he is speaking from the standpoint 
of when each rig was first announced).  My K3 is #96, and I got it in 
November of 2007, which I think was some 3 or 4 months after they first 
started shipping.  A close friend of mine nearby, who I think was 
substantially motivated by seeing and tinkering with my K3, just received 
his K3 (#3837) last Thursday.  He is extremely happy with his new radio, and 
understandably so.  The point is that there are nearly 4000 K3's out there, 
and after only a little more than 2 1/2 years from when they first started 
shipping.  So, at "approximately" the 3 year mark, you have 4 times (not 3 
times) as many K3 owners as there were K2 owners, and most of them realize 
that if the ask, they stand a very good chance of having their personal 
preferences catered to.  I don't think there is another radio out there that 
is getting as much attention from the designers in this fashion.  I suppose 
radios like the Flex's have a similar capability, but I don't think those 
radios are being "massaged" to the same degree.  Certainly the Orions 
aren't, and they too have some capability for this.

Nevertheless, a K2 may indeed be a better choice for some, depending on 
their operating habits and preferences.  It's a wonderful radio, and not 
even close to being "obsolete" as some have suggested.  It's just that you 
will be much more limited going forward, unless Elecraft comes up with some 
way of opening up the K2's potential even further.  I wouldn't put it past 
them to do this either!

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
To: "harry latterman" <harrylatterman at yahoo.com>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 4:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 vers K2 questions that I keep seeimg

> Harry,
>
> I have both the K2 and the K3 - the K2 does not see use in the shack,
> but rests at the workbench and is my transceiver of choice for portable
> operation.
>
> First let me try to shed some light on the number of K3
> questions/problems as compared with the K2 by stating that when the K2
> was only 3 years old, there were something like 1000 of them sold by
> that time, and this reflector was full of K2 questions/problems
> everyday.  By comparison, the K3 has sold over 3 times that number, so
> there are 3 times the number of new users everyday with questions,
> comments, and problems (some perceived, some real).  Note that many of
> the problems are answered by telling the owner how to accomplish
> whatever he was trying to do - you have to read both the question and
> the response to determine that rather than just counting the number of
> posts.  The same was true in the earlier days of the K2.
>
> The K2 is a mature product, and many of the owners have had them for a
> while, so their questions have been answered some time ago.  Even though
> it is "mature", I expect mine to continue to function properly for
> another 20 to 30 years - and I have one of the original Field Test K2s.
> After that 20 to 30 years, I might not care anymore, it will be left to
> my heirs.
>
> If one compares the cost of a basic K3/100 with the cost of a loaded
> K2/100 kit from Elecraft, if the dollar value were the only thing
> considered, the buyer would likely opt for the K3 - most all the
> function offered by the basic K3/100 would require most all the options
> be installed in the K2/100 - and the K2 would not have the DSP
> flexibility of the K3, nor the possibility of adding the SubRX later.
> The performance of the K2 and the K3 is very good (check the Sherwood
> listings), but the K3 is better - whether one's operating habits warrant
> the K3 is entirely a different question, only the operator himself can
> create that answer.
>
> Since you already have the K2/100, then the cost comparison does not
> work for you - you will have to evaluate how much you could get for your
> K2 should you sell it and deal with the price difference between your
> existing K2 and a K3.
>
> In other words, I believe it is deceiving to look at the reflector
> traffic in comparing questions/problems between the K2 and the K3.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> harry latterman wrote:
>> I have a wonderful K2/100 and yes have eyed th K3 as so many other has. 
>> The new K3 design is clean, filters options are mind boggling, seems to 
>> like digital ... But and this is a big BUT for me is cost vers any really 
>> added contacts. Or cost per possible, but unlikely contacts missed. By 
>> the time all the eye candy and ear candy is added you have one really 
>> expenisive radio. Way more the a fully loaded K2 with has some impressive 
>> specs...very impressive by a lot of standards. Plus I am really wondering 
>> about the K3 issues. Is it my imagination or are K3 question and issues a 
>> bit more then K2 issues? My in box since I signed up is buldging with K3 
>> questions and problems. If it were not for the occational K2 question you 
>> would think this was a K3 site.
>>
>> Don't get me wrong Elecraft is one fantastic company. I built and used a 
>> K1/4 and used it for a while and it was FUN and very inpressive. Very! I 
>> am a cheater in that I traded a 706mkII+ a Ft-817 for the K2/100 I have 
>> now instead of building it, only becasue the person that listed it 
>> decided that the trade was better then what he was asking for it and my 
>> trade fit his needs. The chances of that happening again a pretty slim. 
>> If he had not then sometime later this year I probably would have had to 
>> make a painful choice. A fully loaded K2/100 or a strip down K3/10 and 
>> who knows how long before I could afford to get it up to the level I 
>> really wanted. But that is my financial problem and like many today price 
>> vers performance vers reliablity are all a factor.
>>
>> So what is the opion of those who have both or had the K2 and now the K3? 
>> Which is the better value for the budget minded and for those on a budget 
>> what is the cost of a K3/100 that would meet most people needs. Not the 
>> hard core contester, they are a different breed. But the everyday ham, 
>> who likes to take it with him/her and/or have a great home station. Also 
>> why is there so many K3 problems listed at this stage of the game? That 
>> is the part that makes me glad I have a K2 and might wait a very long 
>> time before I get a K3.
>>
>> Thanks for you time and this great board.
>> 73
>> Harry K7ZOV
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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