[Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

[Dick Dievendorff]

Hi, Charles. Welcome!

For casual contesting, I you may be able to defer the 1.8 kHz filter.  It's
quite useful when you're running and want to squeeze into a spot and reduce
the "monkey chatter" from the guy up 2.  But if you're primarily a S&P
contester, I think you'll find that the standard 2.7 kHz filter is a good
enough start.  You can of course add the 1.8 kHz filter at any time. I do
prefer the 1.8 to the 2.1 kHz 8-pole filter for SSB contesting.  Some users
(a few serious contesters) have expressed a preference for the Inrad 1.5 kHz
filter as their "tight" SSB filter.

Do you want a headset with a boom microphone, or a standalone microphone?  I
use a Yamaha CM-500 headset that works very well.  It's inexpensive.  You
can also use almost any inexpensive computer headset to get started.  There
aren't many microphones that won't work, if you get the connector right.
It's a matter of preference.  Elecraft sells a headset with microphone as
well as a hand-held microphone that of course work well with the K3.  If you
already have a microphone of any sort, give that a try before shelling out
for another.

I prefer Astron linear power supplies for 13.8V rigs.  They're electrically
quiet and robust, but they're heavy and not very portable.  Many have
reported good success with communications-quality switching power supplies,
although you do need to be wary of the electrical noise that some lower
quality switchers might produce.  I would look to QST and eHam.net product
reviews for advice here.  I have a Gamma Research HPS-1 that is quite
portable, but I've had trouble developing full output from my K3 with that
supply, even in short-duty cycle modes.

Welcome back to the hobby!  I had a hiatus in my career-building years, and
have had much more fun on the second pass than I did initially.

73 de Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Charles Teeter
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:56 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Hello, All:

I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
some recommendations from you.  I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
and am finally getting back into it.  My initial plan is to operate SSB for
fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
some of the other operating modes.  I don¹t have the budget for a fully
loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
needed.  What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting.  What do you think?

Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
and speaker.  My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
of them outside of Yaesu.

Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important.  I¹m
really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
perfect way to do it.

Thanks.

73,
Chuck Teeter (KE9CE)
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