[Elecraft] Will a casual SSB operator enjoy the K3?

[Don Wilhelm]

Tom,

Welcome back to ham radio.

Are you capable of connecting a microphone to the transceiver and also 
an antenna?
I know that may seem to be a bit of a "smart answer", but it is 
reality.  The default settings will suffice to get started.  Yes, you 
may have to change the menu items for microphone selection and whether 
or not your microphone needs bias, but those basic settings are about 
all that is required.  Other 'for instance" is that you may want to 
choose a different LCD brightness than the factory default, but that is 
about as complicated as it has to be.

Yes, you should read the manual to have an idea about how the knobs and 
buttons work, and as you progress through your "life with the K3" you 
may be moved to try a few extra things, like customizing the TX EQ and 
RX EQ settings (for instance)   That will begin to customize the K3 to 
your likings rather than just accepting the factory defaults.  The K3 
has a highly configurable CONFIG menu for those more complex 'set and 
forget' items, but need not be a first concern (unless you want it to be).

When you have the notion to work in a contest, or try working some 
exotic DX, you will have a capable contest grade transceiver that is up 
to that task as well.

There is a lot of questions and discussions here on how to set up the K3 
with a variety of external gear, such as used for soundcard based data 
modes, an SO2R station, remote operation, and other such special 
applications - those discussions can get quite technical and detailed, 
but they are not for casual ragchewing operation.  If you develop an 
interest in some of these later, the K3 is capable of serving as the 
main transceiver in even those most complex stations.

So yes, you can simply connect a microphone and an antenna to the K3 and 
operate successfully.  If and when you want to advance beyond that 
point, the rest of the K3 capability is there just waiting to be 
customized for your operating wants and needs.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/4/2013 11:54 AM, Tom Branton wrote:
> Good morning everyone,
>
> I am looking for my forever ham rig and have a concern.  Most of the questions and issues discussed here involve fairly technical electronics issues that are somewhat beyond my level of understanding.  I am a pretty good CPA but not an electronics person at all.
>
> My question, can a casual SSB operator mostly interested in talking with ham friends find happiness with the K3?  Will I be in over my head with the technology side of the radio?
>
> I know an answer will not involve electrons but I bet there are some pretty wise hams onboard that can provide some insite to my question.
>
> Thanks so much and 73's
>
> Tom
>
> P.S.  I am returning to ham radio after a 25 year absence, (ex WD5DFE) thus the long lapse in my electronics knowledge.  I used to be pretty good with tube technology!
>
>