[Elecraft] KX3 and Argonaught Vl

[george fritkin]

First, I have no connection with either Ten Tec or Elecraft, except being a customer.
 
Second, I have 2K3s and 1KX3
 
Third, I have an ORION ll, OMNI Vll, Eagle, Argo Vl
 
Fourth, More other radios than the law allows
 
Fifth, I am an EE, had my own company and did many products with the same DSP (TI) used in most radios
 
Sixth, there is other junk but why bore you
 
All I can say is wow to both radios.  Yes the Argo does not have 12 or 60 meters or built in ATU, all of this has been well talked about.  The Elecraft has its short comings too.
 
Fell......the KX feels a little fragile to me, while the Argo feels like a real radio.  I hate the power on scheme of the KX, Argo has a real on- off knob.  The Argo has this multi-function switch to get triple duty from front panel buttons, while the KX has push once, push twice to get various functions from front panel controls.  This gives the Argo a cleaner look, but not necessarily easier operation. If you have a K3 you slip into KX operation easily, if you have an Eagle then the Argo is easy.  But I would give simplicity of operation to the Argo, but flexibility and options to the KX
 
So how about operation.  Well if you come to my QTH, you only will  find a couple of O'scopes and signal generators that are old enough to vote.  In other words no fancy test gear just on the air testing.  I have been in this hobby for many years (over 50) so I have had many radios.  They get better and better.  These two radios are simply outstanding.  Compared to either of my so called high end radios (and high end price) they and more than hold their own.  The speaker in the KX has been well discussed so I will leave it alone, but the Argo has a great internal speaker with tons of audio.  I do not use headphones so this does matter to me.  Also maybe its me, but the KX seems to have slightly more artifacts in the receive audio than the Argo.  The KX QRM rejection controls maybe a little more flexible, but the Argo controls are great also and do their job
When  you read this realize I am mostly on SSB with a little CW and Digital.  But if I were to operate Digital my choice would be KX, but for CW I would stick with the Argo
 
Both put out excellent transmit audio, with the KX sounding smoother and the Argo puncher.
 
So where does this leave me.  Other than they are QRP radios, they really are quite different.  The whole concept (direct conversion versus down mixing) worlds apart, but they both come to the same answer.  
 
They are both truly amazing and engineering master pieces.  As a EE and a DSP guy I really appreciate what both have done.
 
Which to buy?   I will, as an old Prof. of mine would say, leave the proof to the reader
 
Now excuse me, I am going back to play with my toys.  This little write-up covers just a tad of my impressions, if any one has questions, please email me
 
Thanks, 
73
de
George, W6GF
 
PS:  No charge for poor grammar and bad spelling.  After all I are 'ngerneer.