[Elecraft] K3 to K3S Upgrade Opinions

Sat May 19 12:54:39 EDT 2018

My experience is similar to Stefan's. In so2r I typically used k3 as the S and P radio (but only after getting the the DSP board swap change). I used Orion as the run radio (and before that, Omni VI).

Other than on-the-air experience with radio equipment (my own as well as at ny4a M/M), the guide for me vis-a-vis radio performance is in two texts: Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur (1977, Wes Hayward and Doug DeMaw) and Introduction to Radio Frequency Design (1982, Wes Hayward).  On the one hand, this dates me (ok, so I am 67 years old, but I am still here and every day counts)!  On the other hand, how long does it take to understand and use a given level of technological excellence (as noted in the two texts), say in a cw contest (answer: far longer than the next "best ever produced" radio)?  BTW, after reading the above texts it was easy to understand the superior performance of Ten-Tec Omni series of radios compared to imports. Ten-Tec radios had later-to-be-named "roofing filters."

I was using Orion (revolution in synthesizer performance), mainly, but with the introduction of the new Elecraft synthesizer, I had my 2008 K3 fitted with one (plus any other mod that Elecraft wanted to include while they had the radio) and I purchased another K3.  So since early 2015? (anyway, right before K3s was released), I have been so2r K3, with dynamic range and phase noise second to no other radio.  In short, a (late model) K3 with synthesizer board (or an updated early K3 like one of mine) is as good as K3s for my purpose.  This perception has come from on-the-air experience, guided by the above text, as well as integration of the so2r system.

In K3s, the second preamp is not needed on 10m; you may need the preamp on 6m.  I use K3 160m-10m, HF contest bands only.  Having the ability to disable the K3 preamp and/or put in 10 db of attenuation works fine 160m through 20m.  K3S has 10db more blocking (150db!), but 140 db of blocking in K3 is already remarkable in that 130 db is outstanding.  The digital mode change of K3s would be desirable by digital mode ops, I suspect. 

My so2r system, here and now, is far more integrated and functional compared to anything I have used in the past.  One reason I don't want to change anything is because everything works as I wish, for the first time (this also includes software, tr4w  preferred)!  Of course my purpose is defined by cw only, and not by all modes.

I can think of small changes in preferences only (tied to using other radios), or different ergonomics. But at this point in time I have been trained by the K3 radios.  When I see other radios offering "this or that" function or performance, my main thought is "you don't know me that well;" the main part of the equation is me and what I have learned over the years.

Excluding so2r cw challenges, then I would find other radios to be just as good as K3 and better is some specific way, or another, or certainly more "cutting edge" SDR (but for what purpose?).

73, Will, wj9b

CWops #1085
CWA Advisor levels II and III
http://cwops.org/

--------------------------------------------
On Sat, 5/19/18, Stefan von Baltz, DL1IAO <dl1iao at contesting.com> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to K3S Upgrade Opinions
 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
 Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018, 3:49 AM

 Hello Frank,

 As of recently I have both a K3 (without
 upgrades) and a K3S. The improvements which stick out for me
 are the improved CW timing of the new synthesizer at speeds
 above 32WPM or so, the easiness and ruggedness of the new
 internal soundcard when setting up digital modes, the
 selectable attenuation levels between 0 and 15db per band
 and, yes, the soft-touch VFO A grip. I have not seen the
 need to use preamp 2 but this may be because of my noisy
 environment causing S-meter action even on a dead 10m band.
 Others love it for weak-signal work.

 While the new attenuator is not available as an
 upgrade most other things are. It boils down to your
 personal needs. If you have been happy with the rig as it is
 then there is little reason to upgrade. Personally I had
 given up on the K3 early on because of the CW timing issues
 which are explained in great detail by N6TV (see links).
 Now, the K3S is my preferred CW rig.

 http://lists.f5mzn.org/pipermail/support/2013-November/083384.html
 http://mldxcc.org/n6tv-k3.pdf

 You may consider selling your
 K3 as it is (maybe saving the roofing filters) and get a
 used K3S depending on prices on the second-hand market.

 73,

 Stefan
 DL1IAO, SA3CWW/SM9A

 --
 Stefan v. Baltz
 DL1IAO at contesting.com
 http://www.dl1iao.com

 > Am
 19.05.2018 um 07:21 schrieb Frank <k6fw1 at verizon.net>:
 > 
 > I have a K3 with
 dual receivers that I purchased 5 years ago at Dayton.  It
 is the best radio I have ever owned hands down.  My main
 use for the radio is chasing DX.
 > 
 > I have read all the marketing materials
 about the improvements the K3S has over the K3.  On paper
 and in the lab the radio is an upgrade.  But in day to day
 operations at a home station can an operator tell the
 difference between the two radios?
 > 
 > Those who have upgraded what is your
 opinion?
 > 
 > Would
 you upgrade the K3 with new parts or buy a K3S and transfer
 modules?
 > 
 > I am
 leaning toward NOT upgrading the radio as the K3 seems to
 work great.  Am I missing something?
 >

 > Thanks for taking time to reply.
 > 
 > 73,
 > 
 > Frank
 > 
 > K6FW
 > 
 >
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