I too have compared the K3 against a KX3 (with 100W) on field day. The K3 is much more practical, in that you can have everything cabled up for all modes of interest, so you can switch modes quickly. With the KX3, you have a bit of a rat's nest to begin with, and you end up unplugging the microphone to plug in your sound card, etc.
Once you upgrade a K3 with the new synthesizer, there is very little difference in capability between the K3 and the K3S. I recently sold my KXPA100 and used the money toward a K3 in excellent condition (100 W, ATU, IF output options included; as were all the minor hardware changes recommended over the years) which cost $1600. After I paid for the synthesizer upgrade and a CW roofing filter, I had spent much less than what I might have spent on a new K3S. Sure, I didn't get the improved preamp for 6, 10 and 12 and a few other, rather unimportant improvements that come with the K3S. This tradeoff made good sense for me. It would have been even better if the used K3 had had more upgrades, such as the synthesizer upgrade, the preamp upgrade, optional roofing filters. Remember, all those options are easy to plug in, and bring the K3 very close to a K3S. It would have been less good if the used K3 had needed a lot of small hardware changes involving soldering to bring it up to date as a K3. 73, Erik K7TV ______________________________________________________________ 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]
