[Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

[Buck - k4ia]

You are going to get a ton of answers but here's my take (and I own both).

It all depends on what you want to do.  I would compare it to the choice 
of a laptop computer vs a desktop or a 5-shot 38 revolver vs a 13-round 
45 semi-auto.  Either one will get the job done but they have different 
pros and cons.

If you want a light weight, low power consumption rig that is really 
easy to move around, the KX3 is better.  It is perfect for hikers, 
campers, backyard operators, battery power and all-around fun with much 
better performance than the typical "trail" rig.  Not so sure how that 
will change once you add the 100w amplifier.  I suspect it and the 
larger power supply will be more of a desktop profile at that point but 
without the additional performance of the K3.

If you want maximum flexibility, more power, more features you go for a 
desktop.  The K3 has become the standard by which all other contest 
quality rigs are measured.  Some of them are as big as suitcases.  The 
K3 is small by comparison but it is lunchbox-sized compared to the KX3 
which is more the size of a VHS tape.

Either one is an excellent choice but you wouldn't want to haul a 
desktop up a mountain and you wouldn't want to use a laptop to do high 
resolution gaming, video editing or multiple DVD burning.

So, ask yourself, what do you want to do?  Most will say you need both.

Buck
k4ia

On 10/16/2012 4:22 PM, KF9QL wrote:
> 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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