[Elecraft] Sherwood's receiver performance table updated

Gary Smith Gary at ka1j.com
Mon Apr 25 23:28:17 EDT 2016


Fellas, 

There's so many directions to look at if you want to play Devil's 
Advocate to sliced bread, but is it a good argument? In many ways 
this Icom vs K3s discussion reminds me of someone putting up the 
merits of their 69 VW Bug against a 69 Hemi Roadrunner: Both are 
pretty cars in their own way. Both will likely get you where you're 
going. Both can break the speed limit and both will attract a certain 
crowd. The flower power crowd will probably take the VW Bug. Me, I'd 
want the Roadrunner in my garage.

The analogy is of course, this thread relating to the IC-7300 vs the 
K3s: Both the Icom and the K3s are Ham Radios. Each has many of the 
same kinds of features and both cost more than an average 50" TV, 
while neither costs as much as an 8 day vacation to Bhutan will cost 
you. Both will make contacts to the remotest part of the earth from 
you. Is this thread comparing Apples to Oranges or is it a fair 
comparison of two equal quality Radios?

To me, the obvious answer is this $1,499.95 Icom radio is arguably 
not in the same league as the K3s, and to try to compare them as 
equals is blatantly ungenuine. A fully loaded K3s will cost more 
than, and do more than the IC-7300. The IC-7300 is not a bad radio 
but it's like a High School Basketball star VS Michael Jordan back in 
1995. 

The K3s is made in the USA and has a support staff that speaks 
clearly and can answer about anything you throw at them quickly and 
with respect. Unlike with Icom, you can actually talk with the 
designers of the Radio and president of the company and when you buy 
the radio, you have the privilege of being able to upgrade new 
components, rather than having to sell your old non-upgradable Icom 
and having to buy the next iteration they put out if you want to 
upgrade. Put that in your Icom Pipe & smoke it.

If you want to make a genuine argument of Apples and Apples, then 
compare the K3s fully loaded with P3, to the Icom 7851 which at 
$12,989.95, is double the cost of the K3s with P3. That's a more 
reasonable argument than comparing it to it's kid brother, playing 
basketball in High School.

I'm going back to my rock to make a few Q's with my K3s...

73,

Gary
KA1J


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