[Elecraft] K3 or K3S: Whadayathink?

[dhhdeh at comcast.net]

Hi All, 

  

I’m the owner of a 7½ year old K3 fitted with a sub-receiver, DVR, TCXO option, 100W PA, Auto-tuner and probably too many IF filters (as I have belatedly discovered). 

  

I added the two new KSYN3A boards back in the spring which has produced an excellent improvement to both receivers….then a few weeks after that Elecraft announces the K3S….grrrrrr 

  

My K3 has been updated with all the hardware mods. Its appearance is like new. So far it has given me flawless service though not at all stressed (no contesting, field days, SOTA, motocross mobile, lending to friends, pawn shops, etc.) 

  

Here’s my dilemma. Do I keep it and retrofit what I can as new K3S options become available? Do I sell it outright (along with a lot of other stuff to raise the $$) and buy a completely new, comparable K3S or do I buy a new bare-bones K3S-10 and transplant the options I can from my older K3 to a new K3S? 

  

There’s a big $$ consideration in this decision. But first, I am interested in opinions on any K3S performance improvements. 

  

For those of you who have gone from a K3 to a K3S, I would be interested in your observations and opinions of the following: 

    1. Does the new K3S DSP board significantly improve the audio coming out external speakers? 
    2. Aside from new attenuator steps, what improvements do you notice improvement with the revised main RF board? I’m really curious about this as it’s the biggest piece of the K3 that cannot be updated. 
    3. Aside from a new ATU bypass relay, is there any different performance with the KAT3A auto-tuner? 
    4. Aside from new PA devices, any noticeable changes/improvements to the 100w PA? 
    5. Is the only thing revised in the KRX3A sub-receiver the addition of the new KSYN3A board? 



The KIO3B, KXV3B and KBPF3A upgrades are of lesser importance to me in this decision process because of my operating style. 

  

BTW, I liked the old K3 bezel appearance better than the K3S especially after I had my K3 bezel custom engraved by WB2ART (just razzing you Wayne). 

  

I’d be interested in hearing about your experiences and/or opinions on the above. 

  

To keep the mail volume low, perhaps replying to me off list would be best. n1lq at arrl.net I’ll let you decide on how to proceed. 

  

Thanks and 73 de N1LQ-Dave