[Elecraft] [FT817] ELECRAFT

Wayne Burdick n6kr at elecraft.com
Thu Dec 29 21:33:10 EST 2011 

Matt,

The KX3 will have about 30 dB better dynamic range than the IC-7000,  
even without the roofing filter.

I'm not knocking the 7000 -- it's a versatile little rig. It's just a  
question of how much RX performance you want. Of course the KX3's  
ergonomics are completely different, too.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Dec 29, 2011, at 5:43 PM, Matt Maguire wrote:

> Hi Johnny,
>
> I thought about an FT817, but my reasoning was similar to the points  
> you listed. In addition, a friend of mine lent me an FT817 to play  
> with, and to do the least little thing you need to go menu diving.  
> On the Elecraft gear, most of these common functions seem to be  
> readily accessible from the front controls.
>
> As you point out, a used K2 could be a very good deal. The main  
> problem with a used K2, though, is that you miss out on all the fun  
> of building it yourself :-)  I must admit, earlier in the year I was  
> thinking about a K2, but was a bit worried about the size for a  
> portable setup. But then of course the KX3 was announced, which fit  
> my requirements perfectly.
>
> I have ordered a KX3 without a roofing filter, so it will be  
> interesting to see how well it performs with just the DSP filtering.  
> I do love the flexibility of the DSP filtering on my IC7000.  
> However, the nice thing about the KX3 is that I have the option to  
> add a roofing filter later if I find it is needed, whereas in the  
> IC7000, I don't think adding/narrowing IF filtering before the DSP  
> is really feasible.
>
> 73 Matt VK2ACL.
>
>
> On 30/12/2011, at 11:54 AM, Johnny Siu wrote:
>
>> I once used FT817ND for portable operation but I eventually gave  
>> it  up and replaced it by a K2. My reasons are:
>> ...
>> 1.  I was disappointed by the RX performance of FT817 and K2 is far  
>> better.  FT817 is hot enough to receive everything but I cannot  
>> select the station I wanted - very poor selectivity indeed;
>> 2.  Current drain of K2 is as low as 180ma;
>> 3.  Built-in ATU of K2 (swr 10:1) is convenivent;
>> 4.  Built-in speech processor of K2 gives much more talk power;
>> 5.  K2 can deliver more power at 10-15W;
>> 6.  The V/U operation of FT817 can be covered by H/T
>> 7.  A full loaded FT817 with filters, OBP processor etc is not that  
>> cheap
>>
>> Most of the above rationale also applies to the decision between  
>> KX3 Vs FT817 though it is not quite an apple to apple comparison.   
>> Having said that, I still consider FT817 is very value for money  
>> because its price in VR2 is less than US$600.
>>
>> With the coming of KX3, I notice many good deals for used K2.  If  
>> you do not too keen on v/u, used K2 could be a good buy.
>>
>> TNX & 73,
>>
>>
>> Johnny VR2XMC
>>
>> 從︰ egsise <egsise at yahoo.com>
>> 收件人︰ FT817 at yahoogroups.com
>> 傳送日期︰ 2011年12月30日 (週五) 7:40 AM
>> 主題︰ [FT817] Re: ELECRAFT
>>
>>
>>
>> Ok ok the KX3 looks good on paper, relax it's not an iphone you  
>> need to defend.
>> To be honest it's not the price that matters so much, it's just not  
>> tested yet.
>> So I highly doubt that the battery drain is lower than  
>> FT-817's(actually FT-817 battery drain is not that bad).
>> I doubt that the digital modes are not as easy to operate portable  
>> as FT-817 paired with touchscreen smartphone.
>> If the firmware has bugs then it's nice to do the upgrades of  
>> course..
>>
>> I read somewhere that it all starts from A as antenna.
>> O for operator, and last is R as rig.
>> I guess from those three the rig affects least to how many contacts  
>> you make.
>>
>> Jani OH9FZU
>>
>> --- In FT817 at yahoogroups.com, "dyarnes1" <w7aqk at ...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> The KX3 won't appeal to everyone, particularly those who highly  
>>> value the 817's ability to cover 2 and 440. However, even a  
>>> "stock" KX3 will run circles around an 817 in performance and  
>>> features. You get true QSK, a better display, firmware upgradeable  
>>> (which Elecraft does better than anyone), Better DSP, PSK31 and  
>>> RTTY w/o a computer, much lower battery drain, 8 band equalizer  
>>> for both receive and transmit, etc. All this in a package that is  
>>> actually smaller and lighter than the 817, and the KX3 even runs a  
>>> little more power.
>>>
>>> The actual price differential is more like $250 comparing "stock  
>>> model to stock model", and including the microphone. That's not  
>>> all that much for the additional performance capability in my  
>>> view. Admittedly I priced the "kit" version, but putting these  
>>> together is very, very simple. It's just "assembling", not  
>>> building. What drives the price up is all the extra goodies that  
>>> you can't even get for the 817, mainly the ATU and the narrow  
>>> roofing filters. The ATU option is, in my view, a "must" have  
>>> considering how well Elecraft ATU's perform.
>>>
>>> There seems to be enough "apples and oranges" differential between  
>>> the two radios to make it difficult for a lot of folks to see the  
>>> benefit in switching. However, I don't think "value" is really a  
>>> valid concern. It's more a matter of just what do you need to be  
>>> happy? Isn't it great to have a choice!
>>>
>>> Dave W7AQK
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --- In FT817 at yahoogroups.com, "wildergeek" <kb8ybs@> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> $1,400 for a KX3 equipped the way I'd want it. Think I'll stick  
>>>> with my upgraded 817 for a while longer...
>>>>
>>>> Greg
>>>> KB8YBS
>>>>
>>>> --- In FT817 at yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <f6driver@> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm very interested in the KX-3 and am on their list.
>>>>> I think the receiver on my 817 really does need some serious  
>>>>> help, like a narrow IF filter and W4RT DSP mod,  
>>>>> and.............the point is why sink another $500 into a 10  
>>>>> year old radio instead selling it and use the proceeds towards a  
>>>>> KX-3 state of the art SDR QRP portable.
>>>>> Either way I play it, it's going to cost, so why not end up with  
>>>>> the newer technology?
>>>>> I'm ready to get flamed for saying this here, but still would  
>>>>> like to hear any arguments that make sense.
>>>>> Richard
>>>>> KE4UN
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> and for a great FAQ ( Frequently Asked Questions ) see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FT817/database
>> Some really good technical info at: http://www.ussc.com/~turner/ft817pg.shtml
>> Please note that your messages and files sent to this group may  
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>>
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>
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