[Elecraft] Giving Up

[George Thornton]

I am not active in CW, most of my HF work is voice.  I do some contesting but I have conflicting time demands that make it difficult  to spend a lot of time in the operating chair.  

The K3 has been my rig of choice and I am very comfortable with the rig.    I am of course intrigued by the K4.

Improved audio alone would be a reason to upgrade.  My biggest concern with the K3 is the quality of the audio.  It has a tinny, harsh sound that can wear on you if you are in the contesting chair for long hours.  I have moderated the sound by use of a pair of Sounds Sweet speakers and I bring those bulky beasts with me when I go into the field.   

I am looking for an opportunity to compare the K3 and K4 side by side. I also want to see how the K4HD shakes out.





-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Bob Wilson, N6TV
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 12:02 AM
To: Doug Person <doug at k0dxv.com>
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Giving Up

Doug,

You didn't mention what rig you are going to buy instead.  Be sure to be aware of its limitations before you buy it.

For example, the FTdx101MP has three show-stoppers (for a CW op like me), despite it's impressive numbers in the Sherwood table:

   - Poor QSK performance (the clicking keying relay cannot be disabled,
   same problem as the IC-7300)
   - No CW sidetone output on USB Audio CODEC-- cannot record both ends of
   your QSOs (a contest requirement in some contests)
   - Mouse wheel is not supported for fine tuning or RIT (I think).  K4
   supports this very well

As for comparing the K4 to the K3, despite the K3's "superior" numbers in the Sherwood table, the K4 SOUNDS so much better than any K3.  The K4 audio is just SO CLEAN compared to the K3, which makes a big difference when a pileup calls.  That quality is not captured by any subjective measurement.
The narrow DSP filters (down to 50 Hz) also seem to work so much better in the K4 than the narrow 250 or 200 Hz crystal filters in the K3 -- no ringing.

73,
Bob, N6TV


On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 7:34 PM Doug Person <doug at k0dxv.com> wrote:

> Sadly, I've decided to give up waiting for the K4. I'm probably far 
> down the list anyway. Their are numerous reason for this decision. 
> First, there is the cost. With a tuner the price is $4600 making it 
> one of the most expensive transceivers on the market. I fully realize 
> that the K4 is feature rich and extremely well designed. I would never 
> take anything away from Elecraft's engineering ability. The K3 set a 
> new standard of performance that made the other manufacturers 
> substantially up their game - which they did. But is the K4 going to 
> do the same thing the K3 did? To me, it doesn't look like it. 
> Innovative in some, perhaps many ways - yes. A new trend setter? I'm 
> not so sure. When the K3 came out it was very competitively priced. 
> I'm not sure I would describe the K4 with the same words. It is 
> unquestionably an expensive radio. At this point the price/performance 
> just isn't there for me. I sold my very complete
> K3 station several years ago in anticipation of the K4. But now the 
> waiting has left me thinking about how much I'm willing to invest and 
> whether or not another brand whose transceivers are as much as $1500 
> less and whose performance seems quite impressive will meet my needs.
> After literally several years of contemplation I conclude that, for 
> me, the K4 is not worth the price. $3600 (with the tuner since every 
> other significant radio includes one) would seem competitive and I 
> would jump on it at this price. But as it is? Can't see doing it. I 
> apologize if feelings are hurt or I've made anyone angry. I'm leaving 
> the list since I'm no longer waiting patiently for what we once called Vaporware.
>
> Good luck to everyone on their current and future K4s.
>
> Doug -- K0DXV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email 
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to 
> n6tv at arrl.net
>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to gtlaw at seanet.com