[Elecraft] Now accepting orders for the Elecraft KX3 Transceiver

[Mark / Tatiana Gilstrap]

>One wonders, however, how many pointlessly stupid postings will 
>show up on this list during the next nine months by everyone 
>who has just ordered a KX3 (it's not KX-3).

--------

Here's 1!

This is the first new radio (other than a portable receiver) I have bought
new - ever (in >50 years of wanting to).   That is kind of a big deal for
me.  I apologize if saying this is pointlessly stupid,  but I am excited. 

Up to now my paycheck never seemed to keep up with the pricing of radios.  I
almost bought a Drake in the '70s and then my wife got pregnant with the
first of our 6 kids (so instead I bought a roto-tiller and a garden plot
from the Illinois Central Railroad).  I made other choices which have been
better than buying radios (e.g. being ordained and downgrading about $25K in
salary, and having no hope for retirement). 

I imagine that a whole lot of other people have been, and are, in similar
circumstances (of a very long drought - and to us this KX3 is like warm
summer rain).   Please forgive us all in advance - for when we get on the
air we might still be excited. 

It is not going to be painless to pay for the ~$1400 I committed to last
night (and no doubt some future add-ons),  but considering inflation and the
advanced technology going into this,  I feel like this is a bargain. 

I am sure the introduction of this radio is going to increase the demand for
a lot of peripheral equipment from us who have been out of the market
(forever it seems).  Screwdrivers, other mobile accessories
computers/software,  mounts,  etc..., that is, if we don't get disheartened
by the more experienced.  Hopefully the KX3 will act to change the face of
ham radio as well (without becoming CB/2m-like).

Rev Fr Mark Gilstrap
K5MSG
www.hfnet.org

p.s. I first heard of Elecraft at a Broken Arrow (OK) Amateur Radio Club
presentation.  A fellow from Arkansas (part of the Four States QRP Group
www.4sqrp.com ) retired from work about the same time he lost interest in
ham radio,  after 50 years of operating... then he discovered QRP.   For his
presentation he brought in a K2 and some Altoid boxes containing various
goodies, set up, got on the air and won me over reigniting my life-long
interest - all in about 15 minutes - this was in the early '00s.  His
excitement was infectious. I now nearly ten years later I'm finally entering
into ownership.  I hope my excitement is not offensive.