[Elecraft] A confession

[Fred Smith]

I've watched this thread now for several days and finally decided to
comment. I have owned several very good rigs in the past and when I bought
my first K3 I still owned a FTDX-5000MP and a FTDX-1000 Field well equipped
in a SO2R setup using MicroHAM products. I had owned the 5000 for about 2
yrs. the 2nd one delivered in the US I bought the K3 (used) on a whim one
day as I wanted to see what they were all about. The 5000 was and still is
very close to the top of the pile for transceivers on any lists that count .
The K3 I bought had been stripped down to sell all it had was the stock 2.7
5 pole filter and an IF out. The first thing I did was set it up on a A/B
switch with the 5000 so all 5 of my antennas could be used by both and
making them easy to compare.

Long story short after 3 mo. I sold both the 5000 and the 1000 and bought a
loaded K3 then had both in the SO2R. You ask why, was it a much better
performer, no, ( and yes the second receiver is the best made though) was it
the looks, no, none of these things. It was Elecraft the company period
support, upgrades, parts for every radio they have ever produced even at
times sending you a small part for free. Can you name me a single company
that does all of those plus updates for their products always something new
or requested thank God for SDR's and companies who really keep up with them
and listen to the customer.

Hell I could go on for a stupid amount of time and server space but most all
reading know all of this already, preaching to the choir.

Oh yes I do now own a few other Elecraft products as well, all because of
one used radio.


73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 5210--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100
P3/SVGA--KAT500--W2
Amps Elecraft KPA500 HF/6m--Alpha's 9500 HF--87A HF--Mirage B-5030-G
300+w--(2) B-5016-G's 165w 2m



-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 9:37 AM
To: mikerodgerske5gbc at yahoo.com; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A confession

Mike,

I believe if you carefully examine the reports of "hiccups, bumps, and
whatever", you will find that many (if not most) of them are the result of
computer setup with the various logging and rig control applications that
users attempt to set up or use with the K3. Another area of frequent
"problem reports" is connections to a digital interface of some sort.

These are not K3 problems, but problems users have had setting up and using
those applications and accessories and the computer problems which result.

The K3 has wisely chosen to 'put its computers' (microprocessors) inside the
K3.  There are very few real problems with the K3 loaded with production
level firmware.  There is no dependency on a variety of computers coupled
with a variety of operating systems.  The Utility programs do need a
computer to run, but are normally not needed for other than firmware loads
and saving the configuration. The Utility programs do provide several user
conveniences for things like loading CW memories more easily than doing it
with the K3 alone - use of those added Utility features is optional and is
the user's choice.

The K3 hardware has been quite solid for a long time now.

Yes, there are user questions that come up here frequently that are easily
resolved through questions here on the reflector, and yes if you look at the
problems that are revealed by those who load beta firmware, you may find
some problem reports - but that is what beta firmware is all about, and only
those who are willing to try it and report any problems should be using a
beta version.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/10/2014 9:01 AM, mikerodgerske5gbc at yahoo.com wrote:
> The major thing he alluded to, I agree with. Elecraft needs more stable
firmware and displays.
>
> I may be wrong but it seems there are too many instances of hiccups, bumps
or whatever.
>
> I have a friend looking to buy and did not recommend the k3 without those
disclaimers.
>
>

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