[Elecraft] K3: options to buy: a summary of what I learnt from you all...

[Chuck Shefflette]

John,

It sounds like you've made some very good choices. I have 2 K3s sitting on my desk. One has the high-stability oscillator, one doesn't. I don't see any noticeable difference in stability or frequency accuracy between them. As for filters, one has a 2.7 KHz and the other a 2.8 KHz. Once again, I don't really see any difference but with your idea of potentially adding the second receiver, then the 8-Pole filters make good sense. I would strongly urge you to go ahead with the KXV3A, it isn't just for the P3. You need this if you want to use the external 6M preamp or a transverter, it gives you an IF output, adds a dedicated receive antenna input which can be useful at times, and gives you the possibility to have a low-level RF output that isn't band limited so you can use the K3 as an HF signal generator. Just a thought, no matter what you'll love your new toy!

73 and hope to catch you on the air,
Chuck - AA3CS

On 07 Jan 2011, at 07:50, VK7JB wrote:

> 
> Hello All,
> 
> A couple of people have asked me to post a summary to share what I learnt
> from my question about options for a new K3.  I received 25 replies, many
> were off-list emails, offering well considered ideas and advice.  I was 
> surprised at how generously people offered their time and their thoughts on
> this question, often sharing considerable detail about their own experience
> of loading their K3.
> 
> People tailored their responses to my situation - I'm a casual operator of
> CW/SSB/data modes, working in a location where I rarely, if ever, have to
> contend with crowded bands and heavy QRM.  
> 
> So bearing that in mind, here's what I learned:
> 
> # Unanimously, folks suggested I NOT bother with the high stability
> reference oscillator.
> 
> #The auto ATU option was thought a good investment - for various reasons.
> 
> # There was strong support for the Digital Voice Recorder option and for
> putting in the KXV3A option during the initial build, to avoid significant
> dis-assembly of the K3 when/if I want to add on the P3 panadapter in the
> future.  Several folks mentioned how useful they'd found their DVR,
> especially as a "voice saver" calling CQ.
> 
> # About filters options:
> There was a concensus of opinion that the 2.8 8 pole / 2.7 5 pole swap
> wouldn't be of benefit in my situation and that I should just go with the
> 2.7 / 5 pole stock filter.  Several people suggested I should invest in the
> 6khz filter to allow AM TX and broadcast band RX and ESSB.  A couple of
> people volunteered they had installed the 15khz FM filter, but rarely used
> it and thought I could do without that option.  Many people commented on the
> effectiveness of the DSP filtering in the K3 and suggested that for the
> casual CW I do, that would be enough.  Several others suggested I go with a
> 400 or 500hz filter, but that I could wait and add them later if I found I
> needed them.  I got the feeling that the narrower 2.1/1.8 khz filters for
> SSB weren't seen to be a big priority in my situation:  only a couple of
> folks mentioned them in passing and only one K3 owner said he found them
> very useful for everyday SSB.  
> 
> All this seemed like very sensible advice to me.
> 
> So what am I going to do?
> 
> Well,  I've decided to NOT take the TCXO high stability ref oscillator.  I
> WILL install the DVR and General coverage BPF options.  
> 
> I've decided NOT to put in the KXV3A until I'm ready to get the panadapter. 
> I don't mind dismantling the K3 when that day arrives and I'd like to invest
> that money in other features initially.  Having the KXV3A in the K3 from the
> beginning won't give me any more immediate enjoyment of the K3, nor any
> extra bits to play with, so I've decided it will wait.
> 
> As for the filters:
> 
> I've decided that I probably WILL do the 2.8 for 2.7 swap and install 8 pole
> filters from the beginning.  One K3 owner pointed out that if I do that, I
> won't have to swap out, or worry about matching, the 5 pole filters in the
> future if/when I come to install the subreceiver.  That seemed sensible to
> me, so I'll put in the 8 pole Inrad filters from the beginning and be done
> with it.  The only additional filter I'll order initially is the 6khz, 8
> pole, to allow better SW broadcast reception and to allow me to experiement
> with wider-bandwidth SSB Tx.  I'll see,  over time, whether or not I need a
> 400hz filter for CW.
> 
> So that's it.  Thanks again everyone.  I just have to sell a rig here to
> generate some extra funds, then I'll plant my paw on the "Add to Cart"
> button and the deal will be done.
> 
> 73,
> 
> John
> VK7JB
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
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