Anyone wanting more knobs and single functions can always buy a TS-990.
It's only about $800 more than my loaded K3.
Look at all the advantages that you'd have, in addition:
-- larger footprint on the desk
-- ~ 140 knobs to play with
-- all sorts of controls that you may never use
--
And the TS-990 is huge on the desk and very heavy to move about. Not my
cuppa! And, I have always been a Kenwood fan.
Bill K-Line
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I picture myself walking into a ham radio shop (remember the days when we
used to do that weekly?) and I go to the HF transceiver section and I see:
On the far left the are the tiny SDR boxes that you can only operate via a
computer and the front panel choices are all software and essentially
wunder,
Are you saying the K3 (or KX3) band buttons skip 60 meters on yours?
That is not standard operation, but the band buttons can be set to skip
any selected bands the owner selects. Perhaps you have configured 60
meters out of the band rotation.
No need to extend the existing band
I have only one small complaint about the ergonomics. I think the POWER button
should
be on the top left of the panel. My last two radios had it there and I was used
to it. I've
learned to use it at it's present location so it's a very minor gripe.
73 Roger
No, 60m was an example of the kind of thing that could be added. Of course that
already works on the K3 and KX3. --wunder
On Apr 4, 2014, at 5:07 AM, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote:
wunder,
Are you saying the K3 (or KX3) band buttons skip 60 meters on yours?
That is not standard
Long ago I mentioned using the last radio I would own argument with
my wife to acquire a K3/10. Well, I lied, and subsequently bought
the KX3 (to replace my FT-817). The continuous stream of firmware
upgrades does make this sort-of true, though. I have sn 4043, and
once thought I was the
Much the same, Ed. My K3 is much newer (#8004),
but I've had a K2/100 with which I'm still pleased
-- partially because I can repair anything in it
and add some subtle improvements (I still have a
K2 to-do list). K2 is still a very capable rig,
but now in my 61st year as a ham, I decided to
Probably not, Steve. I use a Pigknob to control my K3 but not for any
reasons dealing with K3 ergonomic deficiencies. I contest with N1MM
and do occasionally type a frequency into the CALL field to control the
radio, and N1MM sends for me, but beyond that, I use the controls on the
radio.
I had to have my orthopedic surgeon repair my hand
from the Ergonomics on the K3
Har
Bob K3DJC
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Post:
I'm a new ham and an even newer K3 owner. For anyone who is function over form
any day, like me - Elecraft's learning curve is the whole point!
If i had a radio for which i didn't even need to open the manual - i'd be bored
with it in two days and probably wouldn't use it or care for it as much.
Sour grapes from guys who can't believe the K3 is the equal of or better
than their rig which they spent too much on (5 digits, anybody still
have their FTDX-9000's) to get the 100+ pretty lights and useless,
mostly unused buttons.
They can't knock the rig on it's performance, 7 years later,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder somebody once told me!
Performance to me IS everythingeye candy has never helped in a pileup.
Just my nickels worth
Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3.
On 03/04/2014 11:05 PM, Kevin Stover kevin.sto...@mediacombb.net wrote:
Sour grapes from
Good day,
This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all front panels to be the
same except for the name. Over the years I've gone down the route of:
Heathkit RA1 RX + HB TX, National NCX5 tcvr, FT101, Racal kit whilst in
Antarctica, TS120V, Marconi and Eddystone equipment at the salt mine,
What is so bad about how the K3 is designed (ergonomics)? This is
not the first time I have seen this said. I do not find it
particularly challenging to use the panel controls or the menus -
but, maybe that's just me. Is it the lack of curves and swirls or
plastic molding? I go for
I've been using Elecraft transceivers exclusively
for 15 years (K2, now K3 as primary base station),
so my recent personal experience is limited. I
have heard it said that Elecraft approach of fewer
buttons and knobs, with short presses and long
presses on the buttons, is less user-friendly
Tuning in in the middle, but for my part, I’d much rather have multifunction
knobs and buttons than menus buried in menus which are, in turn, buried in
menus. I like that most of the menus on the Elecraft rigs are set once and
forget. This makes me happy. And, unlike some manufacturers,
My first Elecraft was a used K2 (that had serious problems). When I open the
box, I was seriously disappointed with the looks of it. Hooking it up and
listening along side my original 746, I heard a lot more stations on the K2 on
my attic dipole than on my real outside antenna. I thought
In a post speaking to the Sherwood chart, it was said, too
many
people jump on one number to rate (rank) equipment and totally
disregard things like ergonomics
(If they didn't the K3 would be at the bottom of
the list).
W4TV replied:
The issue is not lack of curves and swirls or
On 04/03/2014 05:44 AM, Mike Harris wrote:
This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all front panels to be the
same except for the name.
I actually prefer a metal chassis to a plastic one. The K3 looks like
it was constructed rather than popped out of a mold.
But I guess I'm in the
But I guess I'm in the minority...: Definitely
not here :-)
Phil W7OX
On 4/3/14, 9:34 AM, Alan Bloom wrote:
On 04/03/2014 05:44 AM, Mike Harris wrote:
This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all
front panels to be the
same except for the name.
I actually prefer a metal chassis to a
On 4/3/14 12:11 PM, Ian White wrote:
The *real* problem is that Elecraft has shown no interest in doing so.
The stream of improvements that once made the K3 so exciting has
slowed to a disappointing trickle, with too much still left undone.
Like ergonomics, this feeling isn't universal. I'd
On 4/3/2014 6:49 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
I've given up counting the number of times the radio has changed
bands when I meant to change modes or vice versa or the number of
times I've engaged RIT when I wanted to turn off the speaker, the
number of times I've reset VFO B when I wanted to
Amen
On 4/3/2014 6:49 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
What is so bad about how the K3 is designed (ergonomics)? This is
not the first time I have seen this said. I do not find it
particularly challenging to use the panel controls or the menus -
but, maybe that's just me. Is it the lack of curves
My 2-bits: |u and |d
OK, what if Elecraft took the K3 and did a major ergonomic redesign of the
radio and called it the K3-Ergo. It could be twice as large, many single
function buttons and dials and maybe even a more expanded multicolor LCD
screen. But, assume SAME K3 functionality.
How
Nothing that follows has anything to do with ergonomics, which is the topic of
this thread, but at my advanced age I no longer suffer fools gladly. I will
answer other comments in another post but yours deserve special attention.
My K3 is S/N 2059, what's yours?
Mine would be even older but
But, assume SAME K3 functionality.
I'm not so sure *SAME* functionality is a fair question for the next
generation top of the line transceiver.
Among other things, the headphone amplifier really needs to be a bit
more stout than 100 mW - 500 mW if not 1 watt is more appropriate even
if the
On Apr 3, 2014, at 11:19 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com wrote:
But, assume SAME K3 functionality.
I'm not so sure *SAME* functionality is a fair question for the next
generation top of the line transceiver.
No, it isn't a fair question but why be fair when you can ask
I guess I am some sort of an oddball. I find no fault with my K3 at all. I
had an FT-1000MP and to tell you the truth I found no fault with it either.
The human interface is completely different, but you just learn to work it
and then you know it and you never think about it again.
Here is an
Remember in Oh God when George Burns as God admitted to Denver that
he made a mistake and made the Avocado seed too large? I never forgot
that part of the movie. When it comes to the K3, my only real
ergonomics complaint the opposite of that seed problem, its that the
VFO B knob is just too
Odd I am 6'2 with big hands and I thought I would dislike the small
size. I don't. I am thrilled with it especially for travel!
I would not mind a K3 front panel on steroids for the home shack with
more buttons. Sometimes the dual mode buttons can be confusing.
The K3 could be more new
Howdy Gang:
I'm holding out for the K4 (grin).
73, Joe W2KJ
I QRP, therefore I am
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I don't want any rig to be the last rig I Own. I had a K3, and loved it,
for over 5 years. I will probably get another one in the future. I've
owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first with a digital readout, a Kachina 505 -
the first computer-controlled radio, an IC-756 Pro with a color screen, a
I have to admit, I find most of this discussion a bit odd.
Why, is the K3 less “fun” today than it was two years ago? Why do you expect
Elecraft to deliver more radio than you purchased? If I buy an SL245 (that’s a
car, not a radio!), I don’t then 3 years later grouse about the fact that it
and Dianne on Comcast ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics
I don't want any rig to be the last rig I Own. I had a K3, and loved it,
for over 5 years. I will probably get another one in the future. I've
owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first with a digital readout
I have to admit, I find most of this discussion a bit odd.
Why, is the K3 less fun today than it was two years ago? Why do you
expect Elecraft to deliver more radio than you purchased?
Because that is precisely what Elecraft did deliver in the early days of
the K3 - both the fun part and the
Guess I stirred up a hornet's nest on the ergonomics subject. However,
that said, after the last round of firmware updates my K-Line has become
the best station I have ever owned. Simply put: It does what it is
advertised to do - pretty much as easy or complicated as you choose.
So, I guess
I have to compare the K2 firmware development and its time span with the
firmware development of the K3.
The K2 was introduced in 1999 and its firmware was improved to add new
functions up until about 2006 (about the time the K3 was being
developed). Yes, the update rate slowed considerably
Sounds like you're going for last rigS, Marty :-)
Phil W7OX
On 4/3/14, 3:13 PM, MontyS wrote:
I don't want any rig to be the last rig I
Own. I had a K3, and loved it, for over 5
years. I will probably get another one in the
future. I've owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first
with a digital
Guess I stirred up a hornet's nest on the ergonomics subject.
I spent the day alternately documenting the color and size of the hornets, for
future reference, and hiding from them.
However, that said, after the last round of firmware updates my K-Line has
become the best station I have
Since last rig implies something far more final, I'd agree with the
original poster.
I don't want a last rig either.
73 -- Lynn
On 4/3/2014 5:55 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote:
Sounds like you're going for last rigS
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Elecraft mailing
Sometimes a useful way to put it, like when
discussing buying the K3/P3, KX3, KPA500 and
KAT500 with my wife. And who knows, at my age
Elecraft may not come up with one better soon
enough (Murphy's Law may attack me now, with some
imminent Elecraft announcement unrelated to the
KX3) :-)
My
I too am an 'old' K3 owner (in more than one sense). I have K3 #0007.
Yes, /seven/. I was one of the incredibly lucky members of a focus group
when the K3 was still in prototype form.
I love my K3 as much as anyone can 'love' a radio. But I agree with
Dave, Joe and Ian that the K3 still has
I once suggested to Wayne that he charge something for 'premium' firmware,
possibly with specialized features that not everyone would want. That would
give them some revenue to finance continued development for existing products.
He told me -- in no uncertain terms -- that Elecraft would
OK Wayne and all the rest: I don't hang on the list eagerly waiting for
the latest firmware update. After I got my K3 kit [#642], I was
inundated with firmware updates. Most were important and meant
something to me, I knew I'd bought in early and expected this. As time
passed, the update
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics
I too am an 'old' K3 owner (in more than one sense). I have K3 #0007.
Yes, /seven/. I was one of the incredibly lucky members of a focus group
when the K3 was still in prototype form.
I love my K3 as much as anyone can 'love
I do have one rhetorical question for the group on this topic, and it
applies to my KX3 as well.
Unlike brand Y, or brand K, or brand I, these radios are largely
software defined, and features can be added that weren't part of the
original design.
While I don't have a list handy, I'm sure
You could extend an existing button function. Perhaps add the 60m band to the
band up/down buttons. Or add a mode to the mode buttons. That would be one way
to include ESSB or Synchronous AM detection. The mode rotation on my Lowe
HF-150 includes several flavors of AM.
I doubt it will happen,
: MontyS [mailto:mon...@mindspring.com]
Gesendet: Freitag, 4. April 2014 00:14
An: David and Dianne on Comcast; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics
I don't want any rig to be the last rig I Own. I had a K3, and loved it,
for over 5 years. I will probably get another one
I have to agree that band switching on the K3 is not the most user
friendly and having to step though all the bands is a pain in the butt.
That said, you can only do so much within a givin size; many features that
can be eaisly encorperated into/onto a large front panel have to be
presented
Another fact is that many people like small radios and many people prefer
or even need a larger radio. My personal preference would be to have
the option of the incredible small and lightweight K-3 for
mobile/portable
use and then a larger K-4? for base operation... similiar electronics
IMHO, the TS-2000 is a REALLY UGLY radio
Doug, W6JD
- Original Message -
From: r miles greenacres...@charter.net
To: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:09:32 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 ergonomics
I went thru
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