[Elecraft] Kit or factory assembled K3? and what options?

[Wes Stewart]

I've designed and built a lot of gear in my 55 years of ham radio (see http://sadxa.org/n7ws.html for a couple of the simpler projects).  I also "built" my K3/100, which isn't much of a challenge, but frankly if I were you and time was limited, I would just buy one assembled.

For options, maybe the 2.8 KHz filter upgrade (I'm not sure I would do that again either), the ATU (I use resonant antennas or a linear "antenna tuner") so I didn't include one.  If you are going to do RTTY you might want the 400Hz filter and it will come in handy if you ever use CW.  Of course the 100W option, otherwise, you're done.

Wes  N7WS

--- On Mon, 5/27/13, Bill Blomgren <billblom at nc.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> I've built LOTS of electronics over the years... but frankly
> I'm not sure I have enough time to build a K3.. (which is
> what I'm currently looking at..) - or a KX3.
> 
> My problem: deciding which options will be useful. 
> I've never "done" hf... I've been a broadcaster (with 20kw
> into 4" heliax with an antenna "way up thereeeeee.." or a
> pile of verticals that I never have to touch because the
> tuning was done correctly N years ago....  I had the
> Tech for 2 months, and with my background splurged on taking
> both the general and extra.. and somehow managed to pass
> both.  (Thanks to the DurHamFest and their VE's!)
> 
> I'm not sure what will be needed at this point.  Right
> now, I don't 'do' code. Never learned it.  I will
> eventually pick it up, but not right at first... Computer?
> but of course... That's the sort of stuff I do for a living,
> so morse from keyboard? No issue.  Reading what comes
> back?  The computer can handle that.
> 
> Pactor?  Shoot.. I'm a tcp/ip junkie... it's not IP,
> but it is a packet from point A to someplace else.. Can do.
> 
> Other that that.. I'm really not sure what options will be
> required in a 100 watt/living in an apartment with resulting
> ugly antenna issue world will need.  Obviously the
> antenna tuner, but what else is everyone finding useful. (I
> can skip the 2 meter add on for the time being... probably
> can find a 6 meter antenna I can fudge into functionality..
> SOMETHING for 20 to 6 meters perhaps...or 20 through 10...
> Again, not sure what will be needed.
> 
> Naturally, if you ask Elecraft, you will get a system with
> every possible bell and whistle.. but.... is it all
> something a newb will use?