[Elecraft] Help sell me on the K3S

[Phil Wheeler]

Reuben,

Since you say you have the K2, I'd get your 
license before adding any new rig and use the K2 
to start out. Even without the amp you can run 10 
Watts or so and get your feet wet.

After you've operated for a while you'll have a 
better idea of what you want.

OTOH, if you plan to operate SSB 100% of the time 
(I tend to forget CW is no longer required!), then 
perhaps you should start with a 100 W rig; 10 
Watts on SSB might be a bit discouraging on 20 
meters particularly with our current band conditions.

If you are willing to start with 10 Watts on SSB, 
then you might be well advised to add the SSB 
module to your K2 (assuming it has none now) and 
get your feet wet with the rig you already own vs. 
buying the 10W K3s immediately.

I consider the K3s/100 to be your best choice if 
money is no issue. Great rig and great support, 
both from Elecraft and the user base here. But you 
should start with it minimally configured (e.g., 
don't add a bunch of roofing filters -- but do add 
the ATU because you have a G5RV and will need a 
good tuner).

Below you say "In the past week I found out about 
the Icom 7300, which for all intents and purposes 
is one heck of a nifty radio too.". While the 
IC-7300 has some shortcomings it's a good radio 
that you could probably be satisfied with for 
years. So that might be a very good option for you 
as you first get into ham radio.

Whatever you decide, give highest priority to 
getting your license, Reuben. Then you can start 
having fun :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 7/3/16 2:44 PM, Reuben Popp wrote:
> Hey everyone, happy early 4th to you and yours!
>
> I'm looking for a bit on input here.  I've had my K2 now for quite some
> time now; built it myself and love it still to this day.  But, because
> every guy and gal needs a new radio every now and then, I've got that itch.
>
> I've had my eye on a K3 probably since I first saw the advertisement in QST
> some years back.  I'm not a contester.. heck, I *still* don't have my
> ticket, so my main use is SWL and running up and down the bands to listen
> in on some of the nets.  My antenna is just a half size G5RV slung along
> the apex of my roof.... but I've wanted to get my hands on the K3... that
> is until now.
>
> In the past week I found out about the Icom 7300, which for all intents and
> purposes is one heck of a nifty radio too.  And at $500 less than what the
> 10W K3S.  That's a nice chunk of cheddar in these days and times, doubly so
> as Popp #2 will be arriving here come September (on my birthday no less,
> hah).  The downsides are (at least to me) is that there's little in the way
> for adding on new features to the set short of via software updates.
> There's no second antenna option, etc, etc.
>
> Granted, I'm not looking at getting either one anytime in the immediate
> future.  Or, if I miraculously get one somehow, something is seriously
> wrong, and someone has replaced my XYL with the Stepford model... come
> please make sure I'm okay, lol.  But in all seriousness, help me decide
> here.  Which is the better bang for the buck in the long run?  I'm willing
> to bet that this will be the last rig I get for quite some time yet, so I
> had best make it count.
>
> Thanks in advance to all and 73
> Reuben