[Elecraft] K3 at Field Day

[John Fritze]

Once again, I took my K3 to F/D this year with the P3.  Again, I had a tough
time getting to sit down at my own transceiver.  It seemed as soon as
someone got up from the operating position, another butt was in the seat.
 Many comments were heard praising the receiver, the vox, the smoothness of
the VFO (I have the N8BX knobs on both the main and sub) and of course the
coolness of the P3.

This year I locked the front panel power out, compression etc as done in the
software.  I felt better that every time I wandered over, I didn't need to
reset everything.  I also noticed several ops using the DVR voice keyer this
year ( last year I couldn't get anyone to try it).  One of the ops actually
re-programmed the DVR to what he wanted without the use if the manual, which
is a fine testament to how intuitive it is to sit down behind this rig and
figure out how to operate it.  In contrast to a Kenwood 930 we were also
using, that didn't even go into the correct side band when changing bands
(which meant confusion when receiving bad audio reports).

At the end of the contest we had 3 rigs on 20meters simultaneously.  The K3
had no problems copying the weaker stations through all the interference
from the other transmitters.  The other stations, not so much.

Having both a straight key and paddle input allowed us to plug both a
computer and paddles into the back and use either without any problems.

Several ops said that one way or the other they were going to have a K3 by
the next F/D!

Just and all in all flawless weekend of hard use of my K3!  Thanks to the
Elecraft team for their had work and dedication.

John
K2QY