[Elecraft] K3/100 or KX3 with all the options?

[nr4c]

A tuff question.

First, what are you going to so with the radio?

Second, the cost will most definately NOT be the same.

The K3 as a full featured contest radio capable of suporting multi 
roofing filters, has a built-in 100 W PA and an ATU with two ant 
outputs/inputs.  It can be configfured with a second rec of equal spec 
to the main reciever.  It has easy out to computer for many digital 
modes, has band decoding and easy connection to powerful linear amps for 
up to legal limit output.

The K3 and KX3 have many similar features, and share operational 
proceeddures, but they are not the same radio.  The items I listed in 
the above paragraph are things the K3 has that the KX3 will not have.  
These are important to many users.

Now, the KX3 will have a builtin 10 W PA, and a 20 W ATU.  And it will 
sport internal batteries, it weighs but 16-20 oz, supports attached 
paddles/key, has I/Q output for direct input to soundcard for SDR 
recieve and panadapter use.  It will have a very nice 100 external amp 
with available ATU for remote mounting as in a mobile ienvironment.  
These are  but some of the things a KX3 will have that the K3 will not 
have.

If you want the best base station for DX and contesting, with a 
sub-rec, great filtering and want to drive a legal limit amp, get a K3.

However, if you are more likely to want to travel with a small, almost 
pocket sized radio and operate from the trail or summit and not carry a 
big battery and enjoy QRP, then the KX3 is right up your alley.

Now, all that being said, you could probably get a fully loaded KX3 for 
around $2000 (with external amp and ATU when available).  Or you can get 
a 100W K3 with out the ATU for about the same price.  If this is what 
you want, take your choice, but if you buy the K3, you can expand it as 
your needs(wants) grow.

OR, you can do what a lot of us are doing, and buy them both.  They are 
two different radios and many of us enjoy different aspects of the hobby 
so each will have it's place.  I do a lot of outdoor special events, and 
the KX3 will be perfect, while I still like my K3 for my day to day 
DXing and contesting.  I would not like to have to make the choice of 
one OR the other.

...bill  nr4c

On Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:33:27 -0400, David Stratton wrote:
> This question has been going around in my head
>
> and I would like some feedback from Elecraft owners
>
> for I have never had any Elecraft radio equipment.
>
> Which is better to have a K3/100 kit or a KX3 with all
>
> the options including the forthcoming 100 watt PA?
>
> I'm assuming the cost will be about the same.
>
>
>
> Dave - KO4KL
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html