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

[Edward R Cole]

(My opinion:)  If buying a radio, I would buy the new K3S.  If you 
already have a K3, then I would keep it and upgrade what you think is 
necessary for your use.  One exception might be available 
cash.  Probably you can save a little buying a K3 and upgrading it.

I bought my K3/10 in 2010 (SN 4043) and have the KRX3 so will end up 
purchasing two Synth board upgrades.  I operate on 600m but renewal 
of (ARRL Exp Group) license requires me to operate on 630m so I will 
obtain the kit to upgrade the K3 for operation lower in freq.

I operate 6m, so I obtained a PR6-10 from a ham who upgraded to the 
new KXV3 which integrate the preamp inside the radio.  I saved some 
and he got funds to put forward to his purchase.. win-win!  Actually 
already had a 6m Gasfet preamp but it is being installed on the 6m 
tower for eme.  The bypass feature of the PR6-10 works perfectly for 
switching between preamps and I get better 10m reception as a bonus.

My station operates on 18-bands from 630m to 9cm, so its way too late 
to worry about too many external cables hanging off the radio.  I 
have five transverters with assoc amps, three towers and a 16-foot 
dish; there are over 2-dozen coax running thru the wall entrance 
plate, and then all the control cables, etc. etc.  In fact I just 
completed design of a new relay pc board for my station control panel 
rebuild (uses three boards with five DPDT relays on each board).

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
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