[Elecraft] Augment KX3 or buy K3?

[Erik Basilier]

I too have compared the K3 against a KX3 (with 100W) on field day. The K3 is
much more practical, in that you can have everything cabled up for all modes
of interest, so you can switch modes quickly. With the KX3, you have a bit
of a rat's nest to begin with, and you end up unplugging the microphone to
plug in your sound card, etc.

 

Once you upgrade a K3 with the new synthesizer, there is very little
difference in capability between the K3 and the K3S. I recently sold my
KXPA100 and used the money toward a K3 in excellent condition (100 W, ATU,
IF output options included; as were all the minor hardware changes
recommended over the years) which cost $1600. After I paid for the
synthesizer upgrade and a CW roofing filter, I had spent much less than what
I might have spent on a new K3S. Sure, I didn't get the improved preamp for
6, 10 and 12 and a few other, rather unimportant improvements that come with
the K3S. This tradeoff made good sense for me. It would have been even
better if the used K3 had had more upgrades, such as the synthesizer
upgrade, the preamp upgrade, optional roofing filters.  Remember, all those
options are easy to plug in, and bring the K3 very close to a K3S. It would
have been less good if the used K3 had needed a lot of small hardware
changes involving soldering to bring it up to date as a K3.

 

73,

Erik K7TV