[Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Tue Oct 16 20:34:31 EDT 2012

I am a new ham (22 months) and own both radio models (actually two K3s and one KX3) and they are fantastic radios. However if I was to choose one over the other it would be the K3 over the KX3.

For reasons already cited including modular flexibility and tailor-ability, my built in 100W KPA100, multiple configuration with roofing filters that you choose, real dual receiver, product maturity, light weight and smallish size, and for ease of use for digital modes I would definitely pick the K3.

I use the KX3 in my truck and down the road i plan to take it on my business trips that require more air travel. It is an amazing portable rig but I am biased towards my K3s. They are a special breed of transceiver.  The ability to configure them to your operating style is what I think is amazing. Mass customization is MBA business strategy material and something we talked about 15 years ago in grad school and Elecraft has mastered this concept in the K3.

Either way you go you will likely be very happy. One last note...when I come home from a long week of business travel, I greet the wife and hold my new baby, say hi to the pups, and then when they are all sleeping I head to the shack to see my two friends K3, 1391 and 1526. And i know that all is good at the Heimbold house.

Keith
AG6AZ

Keith
AG6AZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Oct 16, 2012, at 1:23 PM, "KF9QL" <tcbetka at hotmail.com> 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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