I use the K3 (entire K line) at home most of the time (the BEST radio
I've ever used and the integration is beyond compare). I'm very used to
the controls having moved from the Kenwood TS-940; they're VERY similar
and it was a shallow learning curve. I wanted a portable, RV and FD
radio and considered another K3 by moving my K3 parts into a K3S. I
didn't want a huge budget since that radio wouldn't be used enough to
justify a large expense.
I went with the IC-7300 (now less expensive). It's small, has many of
the features I use on the K3 (bandscope being the main one) and with the
AH-4 tuner means I can be on the air with almost any wire, quickly.
That combination was less than a K3 and added the 'scope. It's also
light (a huge consideration for RV life). It also caused me to learn
about battery technology so I now power it with LiFePo4 batteries
instead of using the RV house battery (which also means I don't have to
hunker indoors).
In use, it's sensitive, easy to use but it's 'different' from the K3 (I
likely need to spend more hours on the Icom but haven't; it's not
intuitive to me). The Icom has some of the controls (like keyer speed)
hidden in touch menus instead of on the front panel (where they belong,
like the Elecraft folks figured out). It's a different mindset since I'm
not a long time Icom user. The touch screen is nice; the scope works
fine once set, but you also can't save the settings per band or mode;
it's rather limited compared to the P3 (touch and QSY is nice, but never
ON the exact freq you want). If you have fat fingers, you'll be
frustrated with the touch screen.
The '7300 lacks a couple (what I would consider basic) connections.
There is only ONE antenna port (anyone have a 160-6M antenna?), there is
no video output of the scope (so I don't have to squint), in fact there
aren't any real options beyond microphone and mounting bracket. I've
had to learn about Icom interfacing so I could run FSK (AFSK was easy
via USB). The '7300 is designed to be an entry level BASIC radio. And
that is exactly what I wanted for the RV and holiday style operations.
The AH-4 allows me to use a grossly non-resonant wire as an antenna;
much like the Elecraft KX radios (which I didn't choose because I'd have
to buy an amp too and this was a budget purchase, the AH-4 had a sizable
rebate).
On FD the '7300 was grossly overloaded by others on the air at the
site. If I was on 15M and the 20M or 40M station transmitted, the 7300
front end crumpled with MAJOR desense, ditto when I was on 80M. My
inverted Vee (resonant, fed with a twisted pair to the AH-4) was 30'
from the 20M beam and 120' from the 40M double EDZ (yes I said that
correctly, it's HUGE, Quad Extended Zepp). For FD, either a LOT more
separation or use of another radio is suggested. I was not able to
adjust the '7300 enough to ignore the other 100 watt stations without
making the '7300 deaf. This was a *planned* worst case scenario (no
band traps, we've never needed them) specifically for the '7300 and
similar to previous years of using a 7600, which survived the test.
This year I will separate my station from the others by a couple hundred
feet and I expect no issues, except fewer trees and a longer walk to supper.
For use without nearby transmitters, it's been great. I've used it here
in the shack to get used to it (Icom is NOT Kenwood or Elecraft, it's
'different'). For the average home environment, the RV or at 'the
cabin', it's great. No issues, sensitive and is all you would expect
from a current model radio and some nice features (do NOT get the Icom
software, for $100 it's horrid).
Icom has a history of great radios, crappy microphones for mediocre
audio. The stock mic works fine, other Icom mikes I tried, not so
well. I use the stock mic and a Heil headset and that works as well.
If you go Icom, expect you'll have to fuss with mics to get the right
one (sometimes even the stock mic). Kenwood is famous for their audio
(Elecraft too, but you opted out of them).
In my research for the '7300 purchase, I found that the output spiking
issue of the TS-590 line has AT LAST been tamed, BUT each radio must be
returned for a 'factory' mod. So if you buy used and EVER plan on using
an amp, that is something to check. (That spike was a HUGE reason to
not get the '590 series when I chose Elecraft, I knew I'd add an amp).
On the other hand, my mobile HF is a Kenwood TS-480HX. It's not deaf
but it's also not expected to pick up flea farts in a tornado on the
road, it's a good solid basic radio with a little more output to
compensate for the typical lousy mobile antenna (a Tarheel in my case,
good antenna but mobile is tough). If I'm not driving and operating, it
feels like it's on a par with the TS-940 but that empirical not lab
testing. Advantage: You can put the control head next to your easy
chair and hide the radio etc some distance away.
For ragchews, ANY of the above are more than adequate for you use, let
your budget guide you. But for a backup rig for working rare DX... THEN
you have to use Sherwood to help you along.
73,
Rick wa6nhc
On 2/27/2017 9:36 AM, [email protected] [Elecraft_K3] wrote:
I have been thinking of purchasing a 7300 as a backup to my K3
(non-updated) and am wondering if anyone has done a real side-by-side
comparison of the two radios??
Of course I could purchase a new K3S and keep the K3 as the backup.
However, for my daily use of ham radio, I am not sure that would be
the best approach for me.
I normally only operate on 40 and 75 meters on nets and rag chew. My
station (speakers, antennas, etc.) is designed for armchair copy
reception. To that end, the K3 does an excellent job.
So, if you have experience using both radios, I would sure like to
hear from you.
Thanks,
Bill W2BLC K-Line
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