It is with some reluctance that I write this Howard, but because I do not own a K3, I thought that you might be interested in an opinion that cannot be thought of being biased in response to some of your comments, which I respect.
As someone who has been involved with the hardware design of high performance comms equipment for the military and others, I can assure you that some form of work in progress is the norm in this branch of engineering. If you take a good look at the design of commercial receivers designed for the amateur market, you will find more often than not that the design of this year's model sold by company X is a version of their last year's model with a few modifications, along with some cosmetic changes to the box and / or front panel - be it a new bandscope or whatever - which is expensive for buyers who want the latest version. Where Elecraft have got it right with the K3 I believe, is that they released a radio which performed well, then improved it and are continuing to improve it without having to release a new model. The people who benefit from this are, of course, the owners of the K3 who don't have to buy a new K3 MK II next year with some improvements incorporated, and later on a K3 MKIII with further improvements, ad nauseum. I do not believe that neither an amateur nor a non-amateur rig exists which cannot be improved upon. The K3 when released performed well with a a few bugs I understand. I believe that during my 50+ years association with the comms industry and comms equipment Users, I have very seldom seen equipment released that was 100% bug free, and feedback from Users and customers is vital. It is rare to get a response from the Principals of a manufacturing company as is frequently offered by Elecraft's Principals. Without going through all of the customer feedback regarding the K3 that has been posted on the Elecraft Reflector, I suspect that there have been far fewer postings concerning bugs than suggestions for improvement, or help to other owners of the K3. I cannot make comment on the ARRLs K3 transmitter tests without verifying the test results. I have no financial interest in Elecraft. Regards, Geoff GM4ESD ----- Original Message ----- From: "HowardZ" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 8:44 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years > > Well, I see the elecraft K3 as still a work in progress. > > No, I am not referring to the firmware/software mods. > > I am referring to continuing hardware mods. > The latest is the audio filter to make SSB audio actually sound good - > like > a good radio sounds. > > It was very nice of you all to buy the radios before everything worked > right, > and provide feedback to Elecraft, > and test the hardware and software improvements, > and open your multi-thousand dollar radios and stick your soldering iron > in > there.... > > but that's not for me. > I want to buy a factory built radio - and be happy and done with it. > > Now, some things just don't make any sense whatsoever to me - but must to > others. > Why in world will someone pay so much money for 10watt 2meter in their > elecraft, when > they can buy a 50 watt 2m/70cm radio with more power, can be used for > MARS, > and maybe even a built-in TNC for around the same amount? I don't know - > maybe someone wants to do weak signal > SSB on 2m? Well with 10 watts you'll also be providing weak signals for > others to enjoy - hihi. > > I would never buy a new ICOM model in the first year - because usually > there > are some hardware bugs found during the first year. How many years should > one wait for Elecraft? I'm not sure. > > Then there is the K3's transmitter. ARRL test reviews shows it on par > with > the old 746pro's transmitter. The Flex 5000's "new redesigned > transmitter" > scores top of the class in ARRL testing. Leaps and bounds better than the > K3's transmitter. I bet Elecraft may soon be redesigning its transmitter > to meet or even 1-up Flex's transmitter. Why not have the best cleanest > transmitter to go along with the best receiver? > > Maybe I should wait for 2 years of no further hardware modifications - > then > I'll know Elecraft finally finished the radio's hardware. I just don't > have > the self-confidence to go hardware-modding such an expensive radio. > > So, you are enjoying the world's best receiver now....and I'll enjoy it a > few years from now. > > Yes, I can think this and not write it. > But then you went and wrote how Elecraft has finished the radio. > > No hard feelings. > Howard > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/K3-eHam-review-after-2%2B-years-tp3202931p3206781.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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
