[Elecraft] New to list; My first question

[Tony Estep]

On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 1:02 PM, Larry, KB5HMU <kb5hmu at starlightsolar.com>wrote:

> ...the K3 is at the top of my list...watched a ham at his gigantic Flex
> 5000C and 23" monitor.....continuous wrist motions with the mouse....

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Larry, this doesn't answer your question about the 6M pre-amp, but I would
make the following comment about the 23" monitor etc.

As an owner of both a K3 and a Flex radio, I'd point out that you can have
the best of both worlds by adding an LP-Pan and PSDR to a K3. I have exactly
the same 23" display on my K3 as on my Flex. And of course, I can click
around the band with the mouse just as I do with the Flex. You commented
that you like knobs and buttons, and so do I. The PSDR interface is okay for
zero-beat phone work, but I find it to be unsuited to working CW split.
Knobs and buttons are much better. You'll also find the K3 to be a better
performer all-around: a far superior ATU, better at digging out weak
signals, an incomparably superior keyer, etc.

Actually, there is a way to get an excellent physical interface to the Flex:
Tobias, DH1TW, has concocted a neat mod to the PSDR program that allows you
to use the Hercules MP3 DJ gadget to operate the radio. This sounds a bit
strange, but in fact it is wonderful. Not only does it overcome the foibles
of PSDR, but it turns out to be a really excellent ergonomic solution to
operating a ham transceiver. However, the Flex powers-that-be have offered
no encouragement or support to this splendid idea, so it has gotten traction
only with a small number of hard-core users like me. One of the great
reasons to own an Elecraft product is that the top guys are operating hams
who get on the air just like their customers do, and who listen and respond
to the needs and comments of users.

So get yourself a K3, and enjoy it for 20 years!

73,
Tony KT0NY