[Elecraft] K3S Options - Install in what order to make it all easier?

[Don Wilhelm]

Chuck,

There is no one good answer, your ideal K3S configuration depends on 
your operating goals and aspirations as much as anything else.

My advice (remember it is free and may be worth all of what it costs:-) 
) is for you to order the basic K3S/100 (perhaps with the KAT3 if you do 
not have resonant antennas) and use it for a while to determine the more 
frequent bandwidths that you use.  The DSP does provide very narrow 
bandwidth filters, but they cannot help if a strong station near your 
operating frequency triggers the hardware AGC (S-9+40 dB).
Once you have determined your filter width needs, then purchase filters 
that come close to those bandwidths and add them.

Operate some more, and when you think you are ready, add the KRX3 (with 
filters the same as you selected for the main RX).

I am assuming that you are looking for the lowest K3S entry price that 
you can find, and the above is it.
If price is not the object, order what will be suitable for your goal of 
working DX - the SubRX is indispensable in the long run, but if you have 
not been using dual receive in your operations yet, it can wait - you 
still have 2 VFOs and can work split easily without the SubRX.
Extra filters are good for CW operation where your receiver will be 
bombarded with strong stations on nearby frequencies - they can result 
in the hardware AGC kicking in and desense your receiver - preventing 
that is the purpose of the added roofing filters.

The K3S comes with the KXV3B as standard, so that will allow you to use 
an RX antenna (as well as transverters and IF output).

The thing I am advocating is that you need to consider your desired 
filter set first.  The situation is that the filters in the main RX are 
physically covered by the SubRX, so if you already have the subRX 
installed, it must be removed to add/change the filters in the mainRX.  
It is not really that difficult if you have built from a kit, but is 
just an extra step.
Adding filters to the SubRX entails removing the cover and the board 
from the SubRX enclosure metalwork - you need access to both the top and 
bottom of the board to install and secure the filters.

So IMHO, your choices for incrementally building your K3S to what you 
ultimately want centers around the filters that you want to install.

If you want to 'do it all at once', and your operating style is mainly 
CW oriented, I would suggest installing the 400 Hz filter in both the 
main and the sub, although you may want to use the 250 Hz filter either 
in addition or instead.
If you are more SSB contest and DX oriented, choose either the 2.1 or 
1.8 kHz roofing filters (but not both).

You will find the KRX3 useful for contesting/DXing, but whether you add 
it initially or later is your decision.

In other words, the best K3S configuration for you is based on your 
operating desires, goals and preferences.  As confusing as it is, the 
fact remains that Elecraft has provided a transceiver that can be 
customized for your individual needs, and that is what makes it complicated.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/1/2015 5:02 PM, Chuck Milam, N9KY wrote:
> My apologies if this is a FAQ.  I've been looking all through the archives
> and can't seem to find an answer, so I'm turning to the good folks of the
> Elecraft reflector for some guidance.
>
> I'm considering my first home HF station radio upgrade since 2000, and I'm
> looking at the K3S.  The number of options are overwhelming at first, so
> I've been reading and trying to narrow down what I'd need to get started.
> I chase DX and do some contesting (all modes), so I'm thinking I'll get
> some tighter filters, I know I'd like to be able to run an RX antenna for
> low band work, possibly look at the sub-RX option as well for listening to
> the other side of a split operation, etc.
>
> Here's my main question:  If I'm building from kit, are there any
> particular options I'd want to make sure I install first as to not make
> things more difficult later?  For example, if I add filters now, then add
> the sub-RX later, am I making things more difficult than if I added the
> sub-RX first?  Would I be putting myself in the position of having to tear
> the roof off the house to just upgrade the kitchen?  (Sorry, best analogy I
> got at the moment.)
>
>