[Elecraft] Interested in your impression of the KX3 compared to K2 and K3

[Don Wilhelm]

Duane,

The KX3 is definitely an SDR - the K3 is too - the firmware defines the 
function of the radio.
Somehow the "SDR" term has become construed in some ham's minds that a 
computer is required if it is an SDR, but look at the "Software Defined 
Radio" literally - the firmware loaded into the radio determines how it 
functions, and that is what SDR really means - anything extra is an 
extension.

Comparing the KX3 with the K2 and K3 is a different question.  They will 
all perform quite well, and are all in the top area if the Sherwood 
listings.  The big advantage of the K3 and KX3 over the K2 is that the 
RX bandwidth is continuously adjustable where the K2 is only adjustable 
when you do the filter alignment - you have 4 filter bandwidths per mode 
to work with - on the K3 and KX3 that is adjustable in infinite steps 
with a knob control.

The KX3 vs. the K3 question is one of operating convenience and 
preferences.If you are looking for portable over the convenience of 
connections, then the KX3 is the better choice.  The K3 has more jacks 
to connect to external devices such as a soundcard for digital operation 
while the KX3 can do that too if you use a cable to the mic and 
headphone jacks, but that replaces the normal mic and headphone connections.

So all 3 are quite capable transceivers - decide on your usage 
preferences and make your decision on that basis..

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/16/2012 10:36 AM, dw wrote:
> Hi All,
> I am not a contester.
> I enjoy digging faint signals out of the noise.
>
> I'm wondering what your experience with the KX3 is compared to the K3
> and K2 in that regard.
> If there is a significant improvement in capturing weak signals over the
> K2, I might put the KX3 on my Christmas wish list. :)
> I'm really curious about it as it appears to be an SDR device.
>
>