[Elecraft] Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

[Don Field]

As with the answer to most questions, it depends!!

If raw RF performance is what it's about or if you work 6m and find the
sensitivity on the low side, then a K3S. But for most QSOs, you won't
observe any difference, I suspect.

I've just had a K3S here for the weekend to review (I edit Practical
Wireless - sort of UK equivalent to CQ). I already own a fully-loaded K3
and have used K3 rigs to great success on several expeditions and in
contests. What stood out for me as being a major improvement was the USB
interface - so much easier to interface to the PC, run data modes, etc.

Beyond that, the question is really, what is a K3 or what is a K3S? There
are so many add-ons available (I, for example, need CW filters and a second
rx) and a K3 can be upgraded with many of the new K3S boards that it needs
a long hard think about where to spend your money. A fully-loaded K3 or K3S
is NOT a cheap radio (but it's good).

Don G3XTT

On 28 July 2015 at 17:51, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:

> On Tue,7/28/2015 8:48 AM, ae4pb at carolinaheli.com wrote:
>
>> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly
>> adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality,
>> noise....etc.. ?
>>
>
> Especially after hearing about your goals, my recommendation is that you
> save yourself a lot of money and buy a late vintage K3, then upgrade to the
> K3SYNA board and the KIO3B board. The K3SYNA gets you improved RX and TX
> phase noise, and is 90% of the difference between a K3 and K3S. Cost is
> about $220, you install it in 15 minutes. The KIO3B gets you the latest
> preamp, which is a significant improvement on 10M and 6M.
>
> Spend your cost savings on a better antenna and/or adding a P3  or second
> RX.
>
> The differences between the K3 and K3S mostly matter when you're a serious
> contester, or if a neighbor ham living close to you is active when you are,
> or when you take your rig to Field Day. For the same reasons, I suggest
> that you avoid buying roofing filters until you've used the rig for a
> while. For your operating plans, you probably won't need them.
>
> I have a pair of early vintage K3s (2007) and I'm a serious contester. I
> did exactly those upgrades.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
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