[Elecraft] TS-890 vs K4D performance?

[Wes]

Like you I own a K3 and owned and sold a K3S.  I also have a KPA500 and KAT500.  
I too got tired of waiting for a K4 and bought a TS-890.  Elecraft radios taught 
me to always have a spare, so considering similar ergonomics, I also acquired a 
TS-590.  Before all of these I had a Kenwood TS-870 that was flawless for 13 years.

True Elecraft service has been fine, the problem has been I've needed too much 
of it.  My Kenwood stuff has never required service, so I can't comment on it.

The notch filter on the '890 isn't automatic but the beat cancel is and quite 
effective.  I used to say about my '870 that Kenwood wasted valuable panel space 
by putting a noise blanker switch on it and the '890 isn't a whole lot better. 
The K3 can be, if you don't mind 400+ different adjustment possibilities.

Sorry I can't comment on the K4, since obviously I don't own one, and I doubt 
that I ever will, that ship has sailed.

Wes  N7WS

On 10/22/2023 10:58 AM, John Canfield wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Long time fan of Elecraft, I have a K3s and a KPA1500, both are currently in 
> service. My primary HF radio is now a TS-890, I bought it about four or so 
> years ago after giving up waiting on the K4's to be off the shelf ready to 
> purchase.
>
> So on to my questions about the two rigs. For those who have fairly recent 
> experience running both the TS-890/K4's I would greatly appreciate anyone's 
> thoughts and comments about the two rigs. I really like the 890 after I 
> finally figured out how to run it (hi hi). I like the visual representation of 
> adjusting the high and low bandpass filters on the waterfall. One feature of 
> the 890 I don't like is the notch filter isn't automatic unlike my K3s.
>
> I know there's a lot of complaints about relatively poor DSP noise reduction 
> on the 890 and I do agree it's not in the same class as my K3s but nonetheless 
> it's still quite effective. Receive sensitivity on my 890 is outstanding, I'll 
> have to give it a subjective 5 stars and my K3s 4 stars.
>
> One huge bonus of Elecraft is factory service which I've had to use a couple 
> of times with my K3s. I give it 5 stars :-)
>
> Any helpful comments are greatly appreciated and please be brutally honest.
>
> 73 de John WB5THT