[Elecraft] K3S OR K3

[Nr4c]

First, ever tried to buy a  Brand New just made 2008 automobile or  refrigerator or (you name the product) in 2015?  It's not marketing, it's just business.  The radio is different.  New Main RF board, now 4 layers instead of 2, so should be quieter.  Various "bodges" and mods have been built-in to the PCB (prob replaced by a whole new series of mods).  There is a new one-piece bezel on the display (with an index pointer,: don't ask what for).

Now, what is all this "2X" about.  Is this an indicator of new means 2 times the price of the old one.  That's just not true.  Yes the price is a little higher but the design is almost 8 years newer, and the "NEW" KXV3B has two preamps for 12, 10, and 6 meters that were not there before and it is included in the price (was around $140 I think).  So I don't think the price is all that out of line.

Now if you want the latest, it is available.  But you can save some money by building a kit.  Start simple and add as you find the need and cash.

But, there are some good deals on used K3 radios out there and they are still very good radios.

However if you are considering buying used and upgrading with some of the new modules developed for the K3S, compare the cost.  The used rig you buy may not have the features you want, more money here.  And the new modules cost money as well.  I think you can almost buy the kit K3S for about the same as a K3 plus the mods and you will have to install the mods yourself, when they are available.

I bit the bullet and sold my KX3 system and bought a K3S and kept my K3 for portable use.

I'm glad I did what I did.  I really like the "S". I think you will too.

Sent from my iPad
...bc nr4c


> On Aug 20, 2015, at 2:40 PM, bs usb <bsusb at k5dkz.com> wrote:
> 
> I know there was a discussion on this subject.  I ignored it because I was not interested in either radio.
> 
> Recent events have me interested in either a K3S or K3.
> 
> I know the K3 will have to be a used radio because new ones are no longer available.  I am not sure why that is.  Sounds like a marketing tactic.  I believe the K2 is still in production.
> 
> In any case a used K3 can be bought for significantly less than a new K3S.  I am not convinced that the K3S 'improvements' are worth the extra expense.  For instance, I don't need to be paying 2X for a 0.1X improvement.
> 
> Of course if the performance does go to 2X over a K3, I might be convinced to pay 2X.
> 
> So what was the conclusion of the discussion?  Do we have a 2X improvement in the KS3 over the K3 or is it more like 0.1X?
> 
> -- 
> Frank-K5DKZ
> 
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