[Elecraft] K3: Upgrade or replace

[Don Wilhelm]

John,

Since the K3 that is operating in your local shack is only operating as 
a 'terminal head', you will not find any improvement by upgrading its 
synthesizer boards.

Yes, you need to change both boards if your K3 has the KRX3 installed - 
it will not work right with mixed synth boards.

I would advocate changing the synth boards in both your local K3 and the 
remote - unless you never use your local K3 standalone.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/10/2015 9:21 PM, John via Elecraft wrote:
> I am using two K3's in my remote system. If I want to upgrade the syn boards, do I need to do the control radio as well as the remote radio?
> Also the remote radio has the sub receiver, which I use very infrequently, remotely. Do I still need to do both boards in that rig?  Thanks.
> John, N0IJ
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 10, 2015, at 6:18 PM, Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:
>
>>> 1) modified bias in the speaker amplifier *driver* (not the amp
>>>   itself) for improved linearity.
>> The power amp itself has in fact been updated. And there's a new AF driver stage.
>>
>> Wayne
>>
>>
>>> This does not affect the power
>>>   output or frequency response.
>>> 2) 5/10/15 dB stepping on the *main receiver* attenuator (this
>>>   does not affect the KRX3 which remains at 0/10dB)
>>> 3) improved isolation on the main RF board due to a change from
>>>   two to four layer construction.  The difference is probably not
>>>   measurable on the air.
>>> 4) a change in RF output devices in the KPA3 - difference TBD.
>>>
>>> The other change is the KIO3B which provides the option of an
>>> internal USB interface for radio control and USB CODEC ("sound
>>> card").  A traditional RS-232 interface is more flexible and a
>>> *high quality* external sound card or *well designed* audio
>>> interface *may* provide a somewhat lower noise floor (better
>>> SNR/dynamic range).  Most users will probably not notice a
>>> performance boost unless they are using one of the notoriously
>>> "dirty" (cheap) amateur products.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>>   ... Joe, W4TV
>>>
>>>
>>>>> On 2015-07-10 12:21 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>>>> On Fri,7/10/2015 6:07 AM, Bill wrote:
>>>>> I am not a DXer or contester - merely a rag chewer on 75 and 40.
>>>> For your operating interests, the only thing I would do is upgrade to
>>>> the new synth board. I consider that 90% of the difference between the
>>>> K3 and K3S. I did that, and because 6M is important to me, I also bought
>>>> the new KXV3B to get the new preamp. I had previously been using an
>>>> outboard ARR GasFET preamp.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim K9YC
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