[Elecraft] Itching for a new rig

[Keith Heimbold]

I know what you mean.  I was itching for a new rig and I didn't know it at first.  But I knew something was missing.  A couple months ago, I decided to upgrade my FT950 with the AC0C NS filter, bought the Yaesu microtuners, and bought a NIR-12 DSP unit.  After all these investments I could tell I had a better rig but I was still not really that satisfied.  I had an improved FT950 and now spent close to what a FT2000 costs. I started looking at the FTDX-5000 and even played around with one at HRO in Burbank a few weeks later.  I thought it was a very nice rig but something was missing.  A buddy of mine told me to check out the K3. I started my research and then found a person near where I work in north Los Angeles country that was selling one (off QTH ads).  I went to his house and he gave me a complete demo and went through a discussion of how he chose the components in the rig. The modular nature and freedom of choice was super cool to me.  Plus he operated it off his iphone and he showed me the SDR software and the P3 and I was convinced.  I told him the next day that I would buy it from him.  Unfortunately a few days after his excited demo and his explanation of how he really liked the rig, he told me that he didn't want to sell it afterall.  Bummed out I kept checking the ads on QTH and I ended up with even a better more loaded used K3 that had everything that I wanted including the 6m preamp and the 2m transverter (the other one did not and it was for the same price).  
 
I have been playing with it now over the past two days.  Initial impressions are extremely positive.  I have really enjoyed my FT950 over the past ten months, but I can clearly tell the difference already. The noise blankers are so effective that it blew me away.  My noise on 6m is pretty bad with my 6 element DK7ZB antenna and I could never put a dent in it on the 950 or the NIR-12, but with the K3 I was able to get rid of it so easily it freaked me out.  Another thing that I found today was the ability to plot the SWR on all my antennas using the K3 EZ software.  That was quite a kick.  I modeled all my antennas today. I don't think that the 950 could do that.  At least I could not figure out how to do it.  I also bought the Cady manual which is very helpful, and have read through the K3 manual. I believe that this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Regards,
 
Keith
AG6AZ
 


> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:27:46 -0600
> From: w8fn at tx.rr.com
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Itching for a new rig
> 
> I prefer to use an automotive analogy. To me, the K3 is like an Indy 
> car. Right off the hauler it's blindingly fast and extremely capable and 
> has more than enough performance for any sane operator (driver). But... 
> in the hands of a knowledgeable operator (engineer) it can be tweaked to 
> perform significantly better, and it will win more contests (races). If 
> you're a competitive type (e.g., contester or hard core DXer) or just 
> want to have the best performance possible, time spent fooling around 
> with the K3's many settings is time well spent, and will serve you well 
> under demanding conditions. If you're not the driven sort, just turn it 
> on and operate. It will still handily whip most any of its competitors, 
> regardless of price.
> 
> 73...
> Randy, W8FN
> 
> > The K3 is a complex tool. And like any fine tool it takes some time to
> > learn it well. Once learned and configured to one's liking, it is a
> > scalpel on QRM. While I was able to use the radio from the start, I
> > knew I would have to unlearn the old rig while simultaneously
> > understanding how to best operate the K3. I did not set a time period
> > but chose to give myself whatever amount of time was needed to learn it.
> > After a few weeks I was comfortable and after a couple of months
> > operating it was becoming intuitive although I still mix up the band and
> > mode buttons for some reason a year+ later. Hmmmm.
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