[Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

[KF9QL]

Hello all, Tom here. I am new to all-things Elecraft and have been looking
at the K3 vs KX3 options. I spoke with David at Elecraft this morning, and
he was most helpful. He also suggested that I post here to ask for opinions.
I've also been searching the forum archive as well, and will continue those
efforts. I apologize in advance for a lengthy first post, as this not my
usual level of verbosity...

I have been a HAM for 25 years now, but inactive for the past several
years--and now getting back into things. I recently retired from practicing
medicine due to a medical disability, and have earned a degree in Computer
Science and started a small technology company out of a home office. My
current project involves a biomedical device that can work as a remote
monitor of a subject's status. Basically, I am trying to meet two needs here
I suppose: Re-kindle my HAM radio hobby, and learn more about digital data
transmission with an eye towards using HAM radio to help in that effort. As
my level of knowledge about electronics is growing daily, I have been
considering a build of either a K3 or a KX3. The radio would be used in my
home shack, but I would also like to make it somewhat mobile in an RV...or
even a normal auto. Obviously the KX3 is supremely qualified for this
purpose, but I think the K3 probably is as well. And of course the K3 has
much a greater potential for future expansion and capability. But to get
started, it appears that it is very hard to beat the features and price
point of the KX3.

So I guess what I am looking for is a bit of advice from experienced
owners/users on which might be the better choice for me? I understand that
the 100w amplifier intended for the KX3 is not yet in production--but of
course that will change. My intention will also be to add in a 2m module at
some point, and I understand that the KX3 module for 2m is not yet available
either. However again, these things will change--and one can always find a
small amplifier to use with the KX3 in the meantime. The price for a K3
build would be $500-1000 more than that for a KX3, but if this is my primary
radio...is that money well-spent at this point? Also, in terms of possible
research activities using digital data transmission, would the K3 be clearly
superior to the KX3? David told me about the accessory in/out ports on the
K3, which would indeed be convenient. However the size of the KX3 is very
attractive for possible field-work, so it has that going for it--and having
to use the main mic port is not the end of the world. But still, the K3
really isn't unwieldy by any stretch, so the size differential between the
two might not even be an issue at all.

Anyway, I would appreciate whatever advice folks are willing to offer. I
anticipate making a purchase sometime in the next 1-2 weeks, and have been
reading everything I can find, and watching every YouTube video I can come
across on either of these two units.

Thanks in advance for the help!

KF9QL 



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