[Elecraft] New K3 Syn

Mon Mar 2 09:40:25 EST 2015

Hmmmm...I don't quite agree with Guy's assessment of the upgrades.

IMO, the upgrade synthesizer is supposed to be an improvement if 1) you need
better full CW QSK, and 2) if you need to copy very weak close-in CW signals
in the presence of S9+ signals and/or if you do a lot of contesting. The
basic K3 handles both of these criteria pretty well, comparatively speaking
(look at the Sherwood data), and the quoted '$600' difference is strictly a
user's option. I just sold my five year old K3 with the understanding that I
was selling the buyer a darned good radio (that did not have the new
upgrades) and I don't think the buyer was short-changed at all.
Just my opinion of course!

73,
Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
Charlie T, K3ICH
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2015 8:31 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K3 Syn

Good point Guy.

That's why a "Round Emblem" Collins S-Line is worth much more than the
"Winged Emblem" version, even so quite a few say a particular early *
receiver is actually better than their newer ones.

"Does it have the latest mods?" is a very pertinent question when offering a
K3 for sale.

Every time the "Big-Three" comes out with a new radio, the street value of
old one drops 10% to 30%.

I agree with Elecraft's philosophy. I have an early K3 that is identical in
performance with S/N 9XXX.

73, Charlie k3ICH

* Winged 75S-3 vs. a Round 75S-3B

----- Original Message -----
From: "Guy Olinger K2AV" <k2av.guy at gmail.com>
To: "drewko" <drewko1 at verizon.net>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2015 3:31 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K3 Syn

> One thing that people need to remember when making a purchase decision on
> K3 upgrades, is that in the future, wanting to sell a K3, one of the first
> questions will be whether the rig has the newer synthesizer(s). For me,
> without, that would be a $300 derating for single RX and a $600 derating
> for the old boards. Cost plus inconvenience to bring it up to spec.
>
> It's like selling a K3 that has only a few of the mods, and particularly
> not having the new audio board. Someone buys it and immediately sends it
> back to the factory to be brought up to date, if they buy it.
>
> And then of course there are the "unintended" positive side benefits of an
> upgrade, like the much clearer audio when the AGC significant digit 
> problem
> was fixed. Don't know what they are this time around, but I'm sure there
> are some.
>
> Beyond that, there is the profit angle, where a small percentage of total
> rig value is invested to bring it up to date, avoiding a new rig purchase
> to obtain same. Your purchase of upgrade materials rewards that business
> strategy and helps insure they keep doing business that way.
>
> If that were not enough, it maintains the reputation of a rig as not
> becoming obsolete, vastly improving its resale value.
>
> Seven year old radio, as modified, still at the top of the heap. Just how
> good is that.
>
> And still more, that means that any new Elecraft rig will build on top of
> proven CURRENT firmware and hardware knowledge, there because there were
> customer purchases to support it. The KX3 is a very clear example of that.
>
> Yeah it's certainly YOUR pocketbook and not mine, but hanging back is 
> short
> term strategy and what I'm talking about is long term strategy. Don't lose
> sight of the long term. Support your radio manufacturer.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
> On Sat, Feb 28, 2015 at 10:17 AM, drewko <drewko1 at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> Not a bad idea... It would be nice to hear before and after
>> recordings.
>>
>> Also, recordings with the RF gain at max and sidetone volume at zero
>> while the rig is being keyed, in presence of other signals and alone
>> in the background noise. That should provide a good comparison of
>> clicks and pops without distraction.
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>>
>>
>> On Sat, 28 Feb 2015 07:19:42 -0700, you wrote:
>>
>> >Don, all,
>> >Discussed this upgrade with Vidi ZS1EL yesterday. Given the already
>> excellent K3 RX, ours and presumably others' primary interest is improved
>> QSK, including the new mode reported to reduce clicks/pops at the expense
>> of a little slower QSK. Could someone with the upgrade installed create 
>> and
>> make available an audio file of the receiver output while transmitting CW
>> circa 30-40 WPM?  Hearing what it actually sounds like will help with the
>> decision to buy.
>> >Thanks & 73,
>> >John K1JD
>> >Santa Fe, NM
>> >
>>
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