When I bought my K3/10 (w/sub-Rx) at near $3K I promised my wife this was "the last radio I would buy in my life"! So, OK, I lied (fibbed is nicer) and bought a KX3. But my intention is still the same: the K3 promised non-obsolescence since it was a SDR in its heart. Elecraft has more than met the challenge with a solid stream of firmware upgrades/improvements.
I am aware that hardware will continue to evolve and in time some of the components of the K3 will become "old stuff". But I am hoping that the K3 line will be extended new life with module upgrades when that occurs vs obsolescense by bringing out a "K4" which I will most certainly not be able to afford (I robbed my 401K for the K3). After having my K3 for two years I have come to believe it is the best radio one can get at any price. If the hardware can be improved thru upgrades along with firmware improvements I see there being no reason to abandon the K3 (it will be the K4). So this is my way of gently lobbying for this approach vs the new model run-out business model. The computer industry does this already too much. AS far as a 1.5kW sspa I am not in that market so does not play a part in my purchasing behavior. I might some day opt for the KPA500 if running 270w seems too "feeble"...but not likely since I was having plenty fun at 12w with the K3/10. I am one of the non-HF users of the K3 whose ranks are increasing. The K3 (and now the KX3) have come under notice of eme and VHF/mw users who will invest their kw$ on the higher frequencies 6m+. My upcoming paper on using the KX3+KX3-2M as IF radio for mw will help encourage those folks to look at Elecraft products. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] "Kits made by KL7UW" http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm ====================================== ______________________________________________________________ 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
