[Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

[Matt Maguire]

Hi Tom,

What are this "CW stuff" you are talking about below? If it is narrow
roofing filters for CW, then I think you can definitely leave these off
until later, and just rely on the K3 DSP filtering for now. I think the
only thing you really need to add to a basic K3 in order to do CW is a
paddle. I suggest the Bencher BY-1 is a good entry-level paddle that is
inexpensive but works FB. By adding the 100W amp now, it will be easier to
make contacts and build your CW skills.

If you are thinking of getting a K3, then grab a copy of Fred Cady's ebook
on the K3 from Lulu (it is cheap, especially if you use one of the readily
available discount vouchers).

73, Matt VK2ACL


On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 11:27 AM, tom betka <tcbetka at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Thanks Phil...
> I agree that the K3 does indeed seem like the way to go at this point, and
> the extra $$ is probably money well-spent. But that leaves me with another
> dilemma...how to outfit the K3?
> Here's the basic order I came up with today. After talking David at
> Elecraft, I added the 100w power amplifier which kicks price up $450. But
> my question...is that really needed at first. I guess David's point (which
> seemed very valid when we talked) was that I should spend the extra money
> on the 100w amp, instead of some stuff for CW that I was going to opt for
> instead. I have never really practiced much CW to be honest, and would like
> to learn it. However David advised that it would be more important to get
> phone up & running, and working well--and THEN add on CW in the future.
> After considering his advice more today I think it's very sound indeed--and
> therefore was probably looking at this build list:
>
> Elecraft K3
> item#           item description                                unit
> price-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------K3/100
>               K3 100W Xcvr. (Modular Kit)     $1999.95        (10w =
> 1549.95)KUSB             Univ. Ser Bus Adapt.
>  $39.95KXSER             K144XV Serial Cable                     free
>  MH3                     MH3 Hand Mic                            $59.95
>  KAT3            Internal Tuner
>  $299.95===============================================
>                      TOTAL          $2399.80   (10w = $1949.80)
>
> Although it's a bit more than I was planning to spend initially, the
> 100-watt amp is an affordable add-on in the initial build. So it would be
> do-able. For comparison, if I were to go with a KX3 and leave off the CW
> components, the gear would come in at just under $1350--but of course that
> doesn't include a 100-watt amplifier, as they are not yet available for
> that radio. So it really isn't an "apples-to-apples" comparison at
> all...unless you simply consider the 10-watt K3 build. In that case it
> would be about $600 more for the K3, and I think it's been well-established
> that this extra money would be well-spent given that this would be my only
> HF rig.
> Anyway, I'll hopefully be looking at Duane's K3 tomorrow if all goes well.
> Then I can make the final decision after that, and get moving.
> Thanks again to everyone for the advice. It's very reassuring to draw on
> the wealth of experience that's so obvious in the users here.
>
> Tom
>
> > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>