I tend to try to save a few bux by buying used older gear. My XYL always tells me that's false economy because at some point I'll want newer/better and won't get much out of the dented scratched boat-anchors.
She's SO wise. 73, Mike NF4L > On Dec 6, 2014, at 10:08 AM, Al Gulseth <[email protected]> wrote: > > I agree that a less expensive rig may be a better way to go for a beginning > ham. That being said, I'm surprised the option of a K2 hasn't been mentioned. > It's a nice clean easy to use layout with an excellent RX in a compact > package which can be obtained (especially used) without breaking the budget. > > 73, Al > > On Sat December 6 2014 6:57:55 am Eric Ross wrote: >> I think it's almost better to get a much cheaper older rig first. In my >> latest run as a ham I started with an old Kenwood TS140 for about $350. >> It worked fine for what it could do. It couldn't break apart pileups but >> it allowed me to make many QSOs. However, when I got my K3--wow! I don't >> think I could really appreciate the K3 unless I had first used a basic rig >> first. I still get a thrill when I narrow the bandpass down to 50hz. >> >> I still have the TS140 which is perfect for using in high risk environments >> and/or lending to the next new ham. >> >> Eric >> WB7SDE >> >> On December 5, 2014 11:29:13 PM PST, Gary Gregory <[email protected]> > wrote: >>> Don >>> >>> You should add that the K3 has been around for quite awhile now so it >>> has >>> proven not just its performance but adoption by many knowledgeable hams >>> around the world and has also proven very reliable operating in less >>> than >>> ideal conditions....ask me how i know this....:-) >>> >>> No better advertisement than customer satisfaction i suppose....grin >>> Gary >>> Vk1ZZ >>> K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3. >>> >>> On 06/12/2014 3:48 PM, "Don Wilhelm" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> Yes, simple is better, but if that new ham is interested in having a >>>> top-notch station, he will be well advised to consider Elecraft gear. >>> >>> If >>> >>>> for no other reason than the Elecraft gear is upgradable -- one does >>> >>> not >>> >>>> have to buy the "whole ball of wax" at the initial purchase time, it >>> >>> can be >>> >>>> upgrades as operating needs arise. >>>> >>>> My typical response to new hams is that they do not yet know what >>> >>> they >>> >>>> will want for whatever type of operation they might eventually become >>>> interested in, so yes, they should get some operating experience >>> >>> under >>> >>>> their belts before deciding on which rig they would want for their >>>> station. That can be simply a borrowed transceiver to get that new >>> >>> ham on >>> >>>> the air. >>>> >>>> However, if the new ham does not have locals who will loan him >>>> transceivers to "get on the air", the KX3 offers a great receiver, >>> >>> and a >>> >>>> limited number of options, which I believe will serve the novice >>> >>> operator >>> >>>> well for a very long time. The only question is "do you want higher >>> >>> than >>> >>>> 15 watts power"? If yes, then the KXPA100 is available and if you do >>> >>> not >>> >>>> have resonant antennas, the KXAT100 is a good wide range auto tuner. >>>> >>>> The K3 is also a good choice for beginning hams. Many get hung up on >>> >>> what >>> >>>> filters to purchase with the K3, but my recommendation to the new ham >>> >>> is to >>> >>>> purchase no optional filters - the DSP provides gppd filtering except >>> >>> in >>> >>>> crowded band conditions such a contests and extreme DXing. As >>> >>> operating >>> >>>> experience is gained, that new ham who has now been seasoned may want >>>> additional filters, and they are easily added to the K3. Likewise >>> >>> the >>> >>>> SubRX may be useful in some operating scenarios, but the new ham >>> >>> would not >>> >>>> know the advantages provided by the SubRX until he "gets his feet >>> >>> wet". >>> >>>> The price of a basic K3 or a basic KX3 is within the realm of other >>> >>> high >>> >>>> end transceivers on the market (and in fact may be priced less than >>> >>> many >>> >>>> other comparable transceivers). >>>> >>>> Bottom line, I would not hesitate to recommend a basic K3 or KX3 to >>> >>> any >>> >>>> new ham. He will have a great receiver, and the options offered by >>>> Elecraft can allow that new ham to customize his station by adding >>> >>> options >>> >>>> as his needs and operating experiences dictate. >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> Don W3FPR >>>> >>>> On 12/5/2014 10:55 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote: >>>>> I really have to agree. Simple is better to start with. I don't >>>>> consider the KX3 to be simple by any means. Having some immediate >>> >>> success >>> >>>>> is the best way to keep a new ham interested. I keep several >>> >>> loaners >>> >>>>> around that aren't worth very much on the used market but serve very >>> >>> well >>> >>>>> as starter rigs. At least twice those loaners have gone to young >>> >>> men with >>> >>>>> an interest that eventually led to getting licensed. (Both now >>> >>> Extras). >>> >>>>> On the other hand, if a new ham has an accessible Elmer and has an >>>>> opportunity for a short course in KX3 operating AND happens to be >>> >>> able to >>> >>>>> erect a decent antenna, it might indeed be a fine choice. >>>>> >>>>> Like a lot of things in life - it all depends... >>>>> >>>>> 73, Doug -- K0DXV >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, 04 Dec 2014 09:27:06 -0700, Don Butler <[email protected]> >>> >>> wrote: >>>>> There seems to be unanimous agreement here, but I beg to differ. >>> >>> In my >>> >>>>>> opinion, the KX3 is not ideal for a typical beginning general class >>>>>> operator. I own a KX3 myself, and I think it's wonderful, and I >>> >>> doubt >>> >>>>>> that >>>>>> I will ever part with it. It shines when it comes to portable >>> >>> operation >>> >>>>>> .. >>>>>> That's why I bought it, that's what I use it for, and it's by far >>> >>> the >>> >>>>>> best >>>>>> portable rig I've ever owned. I also have two K3s in my shack, and >>> >>> I use >>> >>>>>> them when I'm operating there, which is the vast majority of the >>> >>> time. >>> >>>>>> But >>>>>> let's face it, most beginning hams are forced to deal with budget >>> >>> limits, >>> >>>>>> and a new KX3 is expensive. The last time I checked, the cost of a >>>>>> loaded >>>>>> KX3 with an outboard KXPA100 setup for HF only is well over $2300 >>> >>> plus >>> >>>>>> tax >>>>>> and shipping, and that's without a power supply. >>>>>> >>>>>> We know that the antenna system is the most important part of any >>>>>> station, >>>>>> and that an average transceiver with a great antenna will always >>>>>> outperform >>>>>> a state of the art transceiver with a bare bones wire antenna. Some >>> >>> will >>> >>>>>> disagree, but I believe that a beginner will obtain more enjoyment >>> >>> and >>> >>>>>> success with a 100 watt transmitter versus a 10 watt transmitter .. >>>>>> He'll be >>>>>> able to work most of the stations he can hear, which will not >>> >>> happen when >>> >>>>>> he's QRP. QRP operation can be very, very frustrating (you know >>> >>> the >>> >>>>>> saying >>>>>> .. "life is too short ...") >>>>>> >>>>>> There are many transceivers readily available on the used market . >>> >>> some >>> >>>>>> for >>>>>> as little as $200 to $300. and, of course, they go on up from >>> >>> there. >>> >>>>>> Forget about all of those high tech bench testing numbers.. a >>> >>> beginner >>> >>>>>> simply needs a transceiver that works! I happen to have a $200 >>> >>> TS-520S >>> >>>>>> (with internal power supply) in my shack that I fire up every once >>> >>> in >>> >>>>>> awhile. I really doubt that most listeners can distinguish its 130 >>> >>> watt >>> >>>>>> signal from that of my 100 watt KX3/KPA100. I would suggest that a >>>>>> beginner >>>>>> buy something like that and use the rest of his budget to build a >>> >>> good >>> >>>>>> station and antenna system. He will likely opt to buy a new KX3, >>> >>> K3 or >>> >>>>>> another excellent top of the line transceiver somewhere down the >>> >>> line, >>> >>>>>> but >>>>>> by that time he'll have a much better idea about what he really >>> >>> wants, >>> >>>>>> and >>>>>> the direction he wants to go in this wonderful hobby of ours. >>>>>> >>>>>> Don, N5LZ >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >>> >>> Of >>> >>>>>> Edward >>>>>> R Cole >>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 2:47 PM >>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is the KX3 a good choice for a new General? >>>>>> >>>>>> Actually, I would say its a good choice for any new ham (Tech or >>> >>> General >>> >>>>>> License). >>>>>> >>>>>> It has both 10m and 6m for the Tech at 8w output which can work >>> >>> quite >>> >>>>>> well >>>>>> when bands are open, and locally if not. Add the 2M module and you >>> >>> have >>> >>>>>> 2m >>>>>> at 3w which will work nearby repeaters. But both 6m and 2m SSB or >>>>>> digital >>>>>> modes can also be used which offers increased diversity of >>> >>> operating. >>> >>>>>> First step to increase usability is get a good antenna for any band >>>>>> considered, then maybe an amplifier. I have a HB 140w HF amp, a >>> >>> Mirage >>> >>>>>> 125w >>>>>> 6m amp, and RFConcepts 35w 2m amp which the KX3 can drive. The >>> >>> whole lot >>> >>>>>> can go mobile. >>>>>> >>>>>> The good part is when you advance in ham radio the KX3 has the >>>>>> capabilities >>>>>> to advance with you, so its not just a starter rig. Firmware >>>>>> improvements >>>>>> and additions preclude it becoming outdated technology. Quality >>> >>> and >>> >>>>>> performance it is hard to beat for the bucks! Had I now already >>> >>> had a >>> >>>>>> K3, >>>>>> the KX3 would probably be my first purchase. >>>>>> >>>>>> Of course I am not a new ham (56-years since I got my Novice: a >>> >>> week from >>> >>>>>> tomorrow). So its a good new radio for an old timer - too! ;-) >>>>>> >>>>>> 73, Ed - KL7UW >>>>>> http://www.kl7uw.com >>>>>> "Kits made by KL7UW" >>>>>> Dubus Mag business: >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> >>>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>>> 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 >>>>>> Message >>>>>> delivered to [email protected] >>>>>> >>>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>>> 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 >>>>>> Message delivered to [email protected] >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> Message delivered to [email protected] >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> Message delivered to [email protected] >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> Message delivered to [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [email protected]
