Nice analysis, Doug, but just for completeness' sake: we designed the KX3 as both a field and compact home station (with optional 100 W) -- hence the performance goals.
73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 30, 2011, at 9:16 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: > Let me start off by stating that I own a K2, a pair of K3's and a P3. > > I also own an FT817. > > 1. Yes, the KX3 is "way better" in terms of rx specs and some options > > 2. The FT817 ain't bad either, especially factoring in price (well, > my > price) > > These are really two very different radios. > > Personally, I like the form factor on the FT817. It is easy to pack > (very > "flat") and I don't worry about hurting it when "in the field." I > am happy > to "throw it around." I would not feel that way about the KX3: kid > gloves > for sure. > > Back in 2003, the price was $569 for FT817, which included a > microphone > with up/down buttons, internal (removable), chargeable battery pack, a > battery "tray" for AA cells, a rubber duck for 2 meters, a rubber > duck for > 6 meters, a hard bound manual, and carrying strap (over your shoulder, > hooks onto the radio), a DC power cable (with snap-on ferrite > choke), and > probably some other stuff I have forgotten about...oh yeah.. a big > world > map (LOL). At the time, Yaesu offered a $100 factory rebate (it was > a Xmas > special), so I got the radio and all that other stuff, with free > shipping, > for $469. Not too shabby...it was an easy decision. As I see it, > the KX3 > (built) with those options is well over 1k. So, surprise-surprise, > you pay > more, you get more. > > Also back in 2003, I had the well-respected (at the time) contest > quality > radio, the Kenwood TS940. The 940, purchased new, was quite old at > that > date. The FT817, maybe 5% the size of the 940, blew the doors off > the big > radio in terms of RX dynamics, esp on 40. It was shocking. But > that was 8 > years ago now. > > For me, I rather have to laugh a bit at the OUTSTANDING specs (in > earlier > private emails) for the KX3 RX. Why laugh? Because if you are > using this > radio "in the field," you probably will never have to use most of > what is > available to you...and this was primarily designed as a Trail Radio, > right? You are just not going to get "that much signal" coming into > your > front end using a simple (low) wire or buddipole, etc. unless you > mean once > per year on Field Day where there are multiple radios set up right > on top > of each other. But hey...if it can be built so well, why not! But > comparing it to the 817, for me, doesn't make a lot of sense, other > than to > indicate that the 817 set some sort of standard for "super tiny > radios." > See mine at https://picasaweb.google.com/dougzzz/FT8172003Dec > > Also, I have won my fair share of contest certificates, using the > FT817, > including on 160 (a very tough band on RX front ends). For what it > is, it > works real well. It's no K3, but it ain't bad...and it sure is FUN. > > I have not ordered a KX3 yet. This time around, I plan to wait a > year or > so to let things "shake out." But if I do order one, it probably > won't be > to replace the 817, which is a totally different radio. And yes, my > FT817 > does copy the WX station...and a whole lot more. > > OK, before you blast away, please go back to the top and reread the > first > sentence. > > HNY and GL to all those happy KX3 purchasers. I know you'll be > thrilled. > > de Doug KR2Q > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
