[Elecraft] Purchasing K3

[Jim Brown]

On Tue,10/14/2014 9:34 AM, G4GNX wrote:
> Is there any point in checking its current revision level, or should I 
> just download the latest firmware and install it?

Certainly download and install the latest firmware. The K3 Utility makes 
this quite user-friendly.

>
> Are there any known issues that I should especially look for?

None I can think of.

>
> My preferred method of connection to a PC would be a USB cable. Is 
> there a mod to allow USB direct to the K3, 

No
> or is my perception of the manual correct and I need to use a USB to 
> Serial cable?

Yes.

> I presume that I will have to order a front panel microphone plug from 
> Elecraft, in order to use one of my electret microphones? 

The mic connector is the common Foster 8-pin. Your existing mics can be 
rewired to mate. Many of us use a Yamaha CM500 boom mic headset, which 
comes with two 1/8-in male plugs, that we plug directly into the rear 
panel. This will mute the loudspeaker, but there is a menu setting to 
turn the speaker back on, and most of us assign this toggle to a soft 
button on the front panel. I use PF2, which is the long push of the XIT 
button.  If the Yamaha headset is not available in the UK, I suspect 
that some similar product will be.

The K3 is easily set up to sound great with a wide range of mics by 
using the TXEQ (graphic equalizer).

That cracked knob is a very common issue, and is easily replaced. It 
needs a small hex (Allen) wrench.

73, Jim K9YC