Bill,
OK, you don't have time to assemble the kit (it only takes 6 to 8 hours
unless you have a lot of options) - so go with the K3/100.
With your antenna limitations, you should add the KXAT3.
All of the other options will depend on your chosen operating. As a new
General (Congratulations BTW), I would suggest you delay all other
options until you can determine what kind of operation you will be doing
on HF.
There are 2 exceptions to that advice:
1) If you even think you might later want to add the 2nd receiver *and*
operate using diversity mode, get the 8 pole 2.8 kHz filter.
2) If you also desire to listen to SW Broadcast, add the KBPF3, and you
may want either the 6 kHz or 13 kHz filter to receive AM.
I would limit the options to those choices until you have a handle on
what your HF operations will be and once you have a little experience,
you can easily add other options as needed (or desired).
If you get into CW or Data Mode contesting (or DXing) where you are
operating with many other stations close to your frequency, you are
likely to want additional roofing filters to minimize AGC 'pumping'
which result from very strong stations close to your frequency. If you
venture into CW, you may want either the 250 or the 400 Hz filters - the
400 Hz filter is also great for data modes, but if you use a wide (SSB
width) waterfall when running data modes, that narrow filter will not be
in use.
If you are not serious about working DX in pileup situations or heavy
contesting, the DSP filtering in the K3 will serve admirably.
Even if you are serious about trying some of that kind of operating, I
suggest you try the K3 with just the 2.7 or 2.8 kHz filter until you get
your station on the air and enjoy your contacts. If you find you need
more roofing filters, the extra filters can be easily added.
Get the K3, then get the HF experience, and then you will know what you
want to add to your K3.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 5/27/2013 6:43 PM, Bill Blomgren wrote:
That's the sort of thing I was thinking.. I *really* don't anticipate
going higher than 100 watts.. and will try the tripod antennas they
have available in all probability, and look into building a motorized
magnetic loop in all likelihood. (I can put nylon straps around the
wooden beam holding up the second floor here.. and move the 2 meter
somewhere.. perhaps to the front of the apartment, hanging from the
light outside..<G>
I was looking at ground loops - the only problem there would be RF
levels if a cat or goose decided to get nosey. (I don't want to
injure the critters, and don't want nosey kids playing with the
antenna, naturally. A tripod antenna can find its way into the
storage room easily... a Mag Loop? Get it up to the 6 or 7 foot
level, and hope no one yanks on it.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Josh Fiden" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2013 6:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Kit or factory assembled K3? and what options?
Considering you're initially running SSB with compromised antennas, I
would definitely look at K3-100 and not run QRP. You don't need any
filter to start besides the stock 2.7 or 8-pole 2.8kHz, the DSP will
do the rest until you know what you want to do and where you want
improved performance. As W0MU correctly noted, you can always add
whatever you want. This is a great feature of the K3! You will want
an antenna tuner, either the internal KAT3, or if you want the option
of running more power later, you might consider putting the cost of
the KAT3 into a KAT500 which accomplishes the same thing but
accommodates up to 1KW. Alternately, if you anticipate wanting to
load up a wet noodle (possible in an apartment), some external tuners
will give you more flexibility. Last, my favorite bargain headset
Yamaha CM100 and you're in business!
Welcome to HF!
73,
Josh W6XU
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