Nope, don't have one. It would be nice though! As far as I know there
aren't any detailed performance reviews published yet, but several owners
have noted that the RX is apparently the same basic design as the 7800.
Also, the Icom reps at Dayton indicated that it was essentially the same
receiver. So, close in performance will not apparently match the K3. But
that doesn't mean it isn't a great radio, and as you indicate, the operating
conveniences and features make it something to lust for. As for ergonomics,
that's always something that I find hard to compare in some radios. To me,
good ergonomics means convenience. It may mean something entirely different
to others. There's plenty to like with the Icoms, but I find the K3 to be
convenient as well. Now there are more buttons on the Icoms, and that
suggests more features. But conveniently using the features available on
the K3 is very good in my view. I think the best example of bad ergonomics
is exhibited by Yaesu, and to some degree, Ten-Tec. Yaesu's menus are still
complex and difficult to manipulate. The Icom rep was having fun comparing
the 7700 to Yaesu's big rigs for ease of operation. Ten-Tec uses a
multi-pot extensively which I don't care much for. That's possibly my
biggest gripe about my Orion II. Icom however, makes superb use of the
bandscope and large display in utilizing many of the available features.
More than anything else I think that's the crux of why Icom users are
fanatics about Icom radios. For example, want to see a waterfall display?
Just push this button here! Filter settings can be brought up on the
screen, and adjusted easily. You can quickly return to the default setting
by pushing the default button. But the K3 sort of does the same thing,
although not displayed as elaborately on its screen. And to return to the
"default" position, you simply push the "shift" knob and it's done. But
like I said, more buttons on the 7700 means more features on that radio, and
the display does a beautiful job of presenting each feature. Now, once the
2nd receivers for the K3 are ready to ship, that may shift the balance more
towards the K3 for lots of people. I still think the K3 will very possibly
be the radio of choice for contesters and DXers. And I don't see a 7700
being the rig of choice over a K3 for Field Day either. But certainly there
will be a great many who will find the 7700 to be a better fit for their
operating preferences. It's a beautiful radio! And you have to want that
2nd RX pretty darn bad to spend the extra money to get the 7800.
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Allbright" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "ELECRAFT" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:16 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] The K3 in comprison to the Big Guns
Dave, W7AQK
you said
I haven't studied the 7700's performance
ratings, but apparently they are not nearly as good as the K3.
Where did you get this info I wonder? do you have one?
Well, we shall see when the reviews are published, apparently the RSGB
review on the 7700 is due June.
I think that the K3 will hard pressed to beat the 7700 in usability and
performance!
I've had one for several weeks now and am looking forward to the review
in a few days time.
73 Rob G3RCE
----------------
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