Howard, you gota remember this is the Elecraft list and you aren't allowed to post anything negative. I see the same fanaticism on the Collins, Yaesu and Icom lists. Sonny
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of HowardZ Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:29 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 eHam review after 2+ years Ah Don, You are so kind. I expected to be labeled a troll. Monte, yes, I got hid hard by the IT recession - and never recovered - and now we have another recession. I work at under half my last IT salary - managing/leading squads of TSA screeners - making sure they do their jobs by the book - to keep our country safe. I do not expect to ever get another IT job. I do save my pennies and like to buy quality equipment. I have a Palstar auto-tuner - it's the best! It can be computer controlled, but nobody wrote any software for it. So I wrote a Java program to control it - it's available from the Palstar AT AUTO yahoo group. Java is easy, but all that reusable code that comes with it - took a bit of reading/research. I saved my pennies and purchased the SGC 500 amplifier. It really has great self protection, has auto band switching, and operates on 12 to 14 volts. I deal with S5 to S9 noise every day on Mars nets. They don't go find a quieter frequency - they just deal with it. I'm close to having saved enough for a better radio. I don't like the Flex approach - favoring the Elecraft design. But alas - I don't feel the radio is finished - hardware wise. Icom, Flex, Elecraft - they all have downloadable firmware/software - I'm not afraid of new software releases. Hardware mods - yep - I don't want to deal with them. And I only brought it up because the first poster showed us his eham review, which seemed to be stating that the K3 is done/perfected/100%. But I will wait a little longer. BTW, maybe I don't need a better radio? Maybe a MFJ 1026? Maybe a beverage antenna? Maybe if all the MARS members purchase a 500 watt transmitter? Nosie noise nosie... Howard Don Ehrlich wrote: > > Howard writes thoughtfully and I like his style. His comments are well > thought out and cleverly put and I welcome them. Thank you Howard. The > early K3 was not your cup of tea but it is exactly what I wanted .. we all > have different needs. So, what else is new? > > I have had my K3 #195 for 18 months now and I am simply delighted. It was > perfect for *me*. > > Don K7FJ > >> >> 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 > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-eHam-review-after-2%2B-years-tp3202931p3207846.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
