Reuben,
Since you say you have the K2, I'd get your
license before adding any new rig and use the K2
to start out. Even without the amp you can run 10
Watts or so and get your feet wet.
After you've operated for a while you'll have a
better idea of what you want.
OTOH, if you plan to operate SSB 100% of the time
(I tend to forget CW is no longer required!), then
perhaps you should start with a 100 W rig; 10
Watts on SSB might be a bit discouraging on 20
meters particularly with our current band conditions.
If you are willing to start with 10 Watts on SSB,
then you might be well advised to add the SSB
module to your K2 (assuming it has none now) and
get your feet wet with the rig you already own vs.
buying the 10W K3s immediately.
I consider the K3s/100 to be your best choice if
money is no issue. Great rig and great support,
both from Elecraft and the user base here. But you
should start with it minimally configured (e.g.,
don't add a bunch of roofing filters -- but do add
the ATU because you have a G5RV and will need a
good tuner).
Below you say "In the past week I found out about
the Icom 7300, which for all intents and purposes
is one heck of a nifty radio too.". While the
IC-7300 has some shortcomings it's a good radio
that you could probably be satisfied with for
years. So that might be a very good option for you
as you first get into ham radio.
Whatever you decide, give highest priority to
getting your license, Reuben. Then you can start
having fun :-)
73, Phil W7OX
On 7/3/16 2:44 PM, Reuben Popp wrote:
Hey everyone, happy early 4th to you and yours!
I'm looking for a bit on input here. I've had my K2 now for quite some
time now; built it myself and love it still to this day. But, because
every guy and gal needs a new radio every now and then, I've got that itch.
I've had my eye on a K3 probably since I first saw the advertisement in QST
some years back. I'm not a contester.. heck, I *still* don't have my
ticket, so my main use is SWL and running up and down the bands to listen
in on some of the nets. My antenna is just a half size G5RV slung along
the apex of my roof.... but I've wanted to get my hands on the K3... that
is until now.
In the past week I found out about the Icom 7300, which for all intents and
purposes is one heck of a nifty radio too. And at $500 less than what the
10W K3S. That's a nice chunk of cheddar in these days and times, doubly so
as Popp #2 will be arriving here come September (on my birthday no less,
hah). The downsides are (at least to me) is that there's little in the way
for adding on new features to the set short of via software updates.
There's no second antenna option, etc, etc.
Granted, I'm not looking at getting either one anytime in the immediate
future. Or, if I miraculously get one somehow, something is seriously
wrong, and someone has replaced my XYL with the Stepford model... come
please make sure I'm okay, lol. But in all seriousness, help me decide
here. Which is the better bang for the buck in the long run? I'm willing
to bet that this will be the last rig I get for quite some time yet, so I
had best make it count.
Thanks in advance to all and 73
Reuben
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