[Elecraft] K3 for SWL?

[Dauer, Edward]

Thanks, Ken.  A number of other replies also suggested a Drake, though most mentioned the R4 series.

At this point I am thinking of something still in production, since I have never gotten into doing restorations and buying used from afar can be an expedition to the unknown.  I plan to look at what’s available at hamfests . . . where I can touch the goods.

Following the advice I received from others I am trying out two possibilities.  One is the KX3.  I tried that last weekend.  It has what seems like very good sensitivity, and operational ease, though to use it for arm-chair type casual listening will require an external audio amp and a decent speaker.  The other possibility – at less than $200, near the low cost end of the scale – is a Sangean ATS 909X.  TI bought one and it just arrived.  I’ve not yet had a chance to hook it to a real antenna.  I plan to do a side-by-side with the KX3 and will happily share my impressions off list with anyone who asks.

My thanks to the many people who replied to my inquiry post, both on-list and off.

Ted, KN1CBR
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Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2017 05:41:28 -0700 (MST)
    From: N4OI - Ken <kenst at roadrunner.com>
    To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
    Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 for SWL?
    Message-ID: <1486644088251-7626571.post at n2.nabble.com>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
    
    I suggest you consider finding a good, used Drake R8 receiver on eBay.  The
    sound of AM HF broadcasts (yes, they are still there -- e.g., Radio Romania)
    is second to none.  And listening to SSB has it all over my K3 and other ham
    transceivers from a fidelity viewpoint.   
    
    73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI  
    
    
    
    --