[Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 120, Issue 17

[Dauer, Edward]

Having gone through a similar decision process, I¹d make only these
suggestions:

1.  I built all of mine (K3, KX3, KAT500, KPA500, and P3) from kits.  Not
to save a few bucks - though it did that - but to have a feel for what was
in the box in case I ever needed to go into them.  Building them was
enjoyable and feasible, even - as someone else once said on this list -
for a lawyer.

2.  Both the K3 and the KX3 include pretty much all the options, with
three exceptions - I don¹t operate on 2M, I didn¹t think the TXCO would be
useful, and I didn¹t do the voice recorder since I operate exclusively CW.
 For that reason my filter set includes the 6 Khz AM (for SW general
coverage), the 2.8 for SSB in case I ever try that (though I haven¹t done
it yet in the 56 years I¹ve been licensed) or if I ever want to sell the
rig, and then the narrowest three for CW.

3.  I bought the 8-pole filters, and have no excuse or reason for doing
so.  Also got the same five for the sub receiver as for the main.  Again I
can¹t tell you why.  Seemed like a good idea at the time and I haven¹t
regretted it yet.  Buying 8-poles does save some time later in configuring
for offsets, but I doubt that amounts to much.

4.  What I would suggest is thinking about buying at the outset whatever
filters you¹ll eventually want in the sub receiver.  Installing the sub
into the K3 was the hardest part of the entire build - requires fingers
more agile than mine, though I eventually got it done.  It took a couple
of hours and several tries including unbuilding large sections when stuff
got dropped and lost in the innards . . .   As I remember, to install an
additional filter in the sub receiver requires removing it entirely, and
reinstalling.  Life is too short for that; there are pileups to pierce.

Ted, KN1CBR


>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Cole
>Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 7:41 AM
>To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Elecraft] Current buy configuration
>
>As a result of all of you helping me better understand the K3 here is
>what I
>have come up with as a buy list for a K3 purchase.
>
>I wonder if anyone would not mind looking it over, with an eye towards
>suggestions to me if you see something I missed.
>
>Also a few questions first:
>
>1.  Do I need something for the KXV3A Upgrade, or is the original item
>included with the K3?
>
>2.  Is there really much of a difference between the stock 2.7 filters,
>and
>the 2.8, 8 pole filters for SSB?  I will never be on an island doing a
>DXpedition.  Could I save a few bucks and not get the 8 poles for both
>RX's?
>
>Buy Info follows:
>
>Basic Rig:
>K3/100-F K3 	K3 Xcvr
>KAT3-F		K3 ATU
>KRX3-F		Second RX
>KBPF3		Gen Coverage Module
>KTCX03-1	K3 TXCO (Is this really needed?)
>KDVR3		Digital voice recorder
>KUSB		USB Cable for connection to Linux box
>
>Panadaptor:
>P3-F
>KXV3A (See question above)
>
>Filters:
>MAIN RX Only
>AM:
>KFL3A-6K	AM Filter, only in Main RX
>
>All filters below are in Both Main RX and Sub RX
>SSB:
>KFL3A-2.8	2.8, 8 Pole Replacement filter, RX, plus Sub RX
>KFL3A-2.1	2.1, 8 Pole
>
>CW:
>KFL3A-1K	1 K, 8 Pole
>KFL3A-400	400 Hz, 8 Pole
>
>I may replace the 1K filters with 700 Hz filters, I am still mulling this
>over, any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>--