[Elecraft] KIO3b Failure

[Jim Brown]

On 5/10/2025 3:08 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
> The point is that I have never /needed/ to get a board from anywhere 
> else, and none of those other places ever promised me I wouldn't have to 
> worry about lost support.  The Elecraft marketing pitch back then (it 
> doesn't matter how long ago) was that support would /always/ be there 
> due to the modular design of the rig. No matter how you try to spin 
> it ... Elecraft reneg'd on a promise. The truth is that Elecraft could 
> be still making, or at least repairing, modules like the KIO3 and KIO3b 
> that still have components readily available. *They simply chose not to 
> honor their promise*.

Dave,

Have you ever run a business or been involved in management? It ain't as 
easy as it looks. It's HARD to find and keep good people, and you've got 
to pay them a living wage. You may not be able to buy a KIO3B, but KIO3 
boards are around. The difference is only a matter of convenience -- 
fewer interconnect cables. Elecraft is a small company, still with its 
original owners, both hams, who we can exchange email with.

I still own four K3s, all early production. Two bought from Elecraft, 
loaded, two bought used from trusted sources. When I say loaded, I'm 
talking dual RX, both all the options and with sevn of the more 
expensive filters between the two receivers. The first one bought used 
came with no tuner and no 2nd RX. It lived in W6GJB's contesting trailer 
until it needed service, and it's currently at Elecraft. I added a KIO3B 
to one of oldest, because I had to do so to make SO2R SSB and RTTY work 
with N1MM. The last one I bought about 3 years ago from a member of our 
contesting club, also loaded, with P3SVGA, for $2K. I bought it for spares.

A K4D has been my #1 rig for almost 3 years. I love it. The most 
important upgrade for me are the filters. It's also currently at 
Elecraft because I did something stupid. I was told 3-4 weeks 
turnaround. A week after I dropped it off, the service tech emailed me 
to ask about how I broke it and other conditions, to give him clues 
about troubleshooting it! Name me another company making radios who 
would have done that!

As to cost -- we're buying in 2025 dollars, not 2008 dollars. A google 
query came up with 1.5:1. Add what we would have paid for a K3 with two 
RX and a couple of filters for each, plus a P3/SVGA, and the number 
isn't all that different. My 2nd K3 cost me $3,500 in 2008, P3 cost $750 
in 2010, SVGA was $280 in 2012. That adds to $4500. 1.5x is $6,700. 
Subtracting less inflation for the P3 and SVGA, call it $6,600.

73, Jim K9YC