[Elecraft] The K3 - A Week Into It

[Joel Black]

I have got to say, this is an awesome rig!

I have been playing around with it for a week and I am just blown away 
by it, the settings, and the software available for it.  The only 
problem I've had was with wiring out of the SLUSB and I just gave up and 
ordered a commercially made cable for it.  Hopefully, it will be here by 
the end of the week.  In the meantime, I'm just using my SDR soundcard 
to work digital.

When I change bands, I hold the TUNE button and hit tune on my Z-100+ 
and it tunes within a few seconds and gives me my SWR and output power.

I have had fun setting the RX and TX equalizers and listening to the 
different effects and sounds.  I am using the EZ K3 software for that as 
it gives a better visual for me.  Speaking of the EZ K3 software, I used 
it to get SWR plots of all the bands on the radio.  I found that I can 
actually get a decent SWR on 160m on my mystery antenna and 6m on my 10 
- 20m hex beam.

I love the filtering.  I got the 2.7kHz and 500Hz with my radio.  After 
fiddling around with the settings, I realized I can setup the radio to 
use either filter and that digital modes are better for casual operating 
with the 2.7kHz.  I am using the 500Hz on WINMOR and I had to use it a 
little because of the contest this past weekend.  I'm not much of a 
contester, but the filters were effective.  I'm still playing around 
with the filtering.  Last night, during a net, there was a lot of QRM 
close by.  I took the SHIFT knob and all but dialed out the offending 
station.

I am glad I kept the subreceiver.  I am able to listen to two nets 
(although that takes some getting used to).  One net is casual, the 
other I wait for my county.  When I hear them getting close, I can flip 
from A to B at the push of a button.

I could go on and on.  I love the radio!

Suffice it to say, Wayne and Eric, I am an Elecraft fan!

73,
Joel - W4JBB