INTRO: I am a past K2/100 Kit (fully fleshed out--the K2, not me) owner, and a present K3/100 FB owner, with also the XV144 outboard unit. Also in the stable is an ICOM IC-910H. The K3 6 meter section is fleshed out with a TE0552G, and the 910 works into a TE1452G. So I have 100 watts on HF and ~300 on 6 and 2 meters. The 910 also provides 432 MHz, but at lower wattage. It also has a serious hearing problem on 432, and I use a GaAsFET preamp on the mast at the antenna. This is more or less a stable station configuration for me. I would guess that it may be my last, but perhaps in 3-5 years I would be willing to contemplate upgrading...
Now: IF'N I had to do it over again, and was faced with some new or nascent Elecraft choices, e.g. the KPA500/KAT500, a built-in 144 and 432 section with at least transverter drive power, what would I choose? WOULD NOTS: ]I definitely WOULD NOT choose the KPA500. 500 watts is just too much for HF, unless one only operates SSB or AM. I WOULD NOT choose the P3 -- for most of my operating, the narrow FLDIGI window of 4 kHz or SpectraVue is quite adequate. I definitely WOULD NOT choose an internal power supply. WOULDS: IMHO the 100-watt K3 is just fine for HF. I have never found a CW pileup I couldn't work through (it is just a matter of patience and timing). My "gain" comes from a proper antenna. I WOULD choose an internal 20-25 watt level for 144 MHz and 432 MHz. Especially at 432, IF a power level of a few hundred watts were the target, construction/design techniques are enough different that they would add substantially to the volume of "stuff" in the K3 box. 20-25 watts is plenty to drive simple 13 dB (20X) post-amps...barring spectacular openings, IMHO the requirements for effective communication at VHF and UHF are somewhat higher than at HF, probably simply because there is more of a tendency to use voice modes. Because of line losses, at 432 MHz one is probably better off with a mast-mounted GaAsFET preamp. I think that ICOM faced exactly this question with the 910H, and answered it by producing just such a companion unit. There is a problem with the GaAsFET preamps in the TE Systems amps...they are not protected in any way against high power RF, and I roasted my 144 MHz preamp with output from my 6 meter set-up (mea culpa). SUMMARY: I think the K3/100 with ATU and interface is simply the best rig I've ever owned. It does marvelous QSK, and with FLDIGI and the SignaLink-USB it does a superb job with other digital modes. I wish it had internal provisions for 20-25 watt output at 2 and 3/4 meters. The internal ~9 watt units are just not enough, and the 144 MHz K144XV unit I installed did not work properly anyhow. (That issue was admirably met by Elecraft; I was not the only one to have trouble with this unit, which has already been adequately discussed on the reflector.) I have no techno-lust for the KPA amp (leave it to 'phone ops) or the P3. WRT 432 MHz, it is looking like we may lose that band anyhow, to ill-thought-out & incompetent governance (more's the pity). This has taken the edge off my interest in 432, even though I have 50 watts to a big Yagi on the band. Thus, for a plain-vanilla ham like me, 160 through 2 meter coverage would be nice...power levels as mentioned above. John Ragle--W1ZI ===== On 4/9/2011 10:12 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > Wayne is going to have to see some demand out there. Any of these > generate the same kind of interest as KRX3 or KPA500 or KAT500? 73, > Guy. > > On Sat, Apr 9, 2011 at 10:05 AM, R. Kevin Stover<rksto...@mchsi.com> wrote: >> I've always thought that Elecraft should come out with a VHF/UHF all >> mode rig based on the K3. >> >> Yes, I know about the outboard transverters but I'm talking about some >> thing like the old Yaesu FT-736 or Icom IC-910 based on the K3. >> >> I've never liked the FT-847 or TS-2000 approach of stuffing a radio with >> DC to daylight. If something goes wrong with the rig you lose both HF >> and VHF/UHF. >> >> Elecraft has all the parts sitting in stock. Use the guts of the >> transverters and integrate them into a K3 sized box with the same DSP >> and control boards. Getting 100W out on 2m/70cm will need a new PA >> design (50V???). >> >> I guarantee it's more complicated than that and it's not something that >> I'd want Elecraft to waste time doing if it means putting something "K3" >> on the back burner. It all depends on if there's a market niche that >> needs filling. I think there is but could be wrong. >> >> >> - -- >> R. Kevin Stover ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
