[Elecraft] Annoying contests

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I have no doubt that contesting and DX-chasing, because of its great
popularity, has been foremost in the designer's minds while developing new
products since so many enjoy that work, and it's good that they do. The rest
of the Hams then get the benefit of having superior rigs available at a
decent price. 

There are many valid reasons for a non-contest operator to own such a top
rated rig. 

For example, I'm an avid DX-er, but I rarely jump into a pileup. The DX I
work are the ones who call me or who I find without pileups and we often
engage in rag chews. In that situation I am grateful for the excellent
engineering in the rig that gives me a clean signal and superior rig. In the
rare instances I do jump into a pileup, I'm sure those nearby are happy not
to hear a ton of phase noise or clicks every time I hit the key. 

On the other hand I'm an avid QRP enthusiast and grateful for the superb
Elecraft receivers for stability and weak signal reception, especially when
a QRO station fires up nearby. 

And then there are many of us involved in RACES and ARES, serving our
communities and our country constantly training to provide communications in
time of disaster where equipment reliability, flexibility and efficiency are
paramount because communications often occur under less-than-desirable
conditions. 

A top-rated Elecraft rig is certainly not wasted on them. 

And there are those involved in advancing the state of the art though new
designs or by improving existing designs. I've seen many improvements in
Elecraft rigs have come from them in the dozen years since I built my first
Elecraft rig. Some of their design improvements became part of the product.
Others use the Elecraft rigs as tools for exploring new modes and as a basis
for advanced communications work in propagation studies and the like. 

I could go on, but those are a few examples. 


73,

Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----


The K3 is certainly where it is in the *sales* pecking order because of 
DXers and contesters.  Not much need to pay for the extra performance a 
K3 offers if all you're going to do is rag chew and check into nets.

Dave   AB7E