Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Let me be the first to congratulate a fellow on his choice of competitive hardware! Damn, what sage advice! Yes, a wise choice! Please, all you PVRC, YCCC and FRC members! Dont *EVEN* consider an Elecraft K3 for your contesting use and stay with your FT1000'ds, your Pro-2's, your TS940's and your superlative IC-781's for competing with your poor southern cousins in FCG, especially during ARRL 10 Meters, SS and WPX. For that matter, I strongly urge that *ALL* PVRC, YCCC and FRC members switch *IMMEDIATELY* to the above rigs and sell ALL of their K3 rigs to either DX stations or to NCCC or Mad River members (maybe *THEN* they will then be able to hear us from Florida). We might even allow you an additional couple of hundred dollars above a used price to help you get rid of those K3's as a hardship stipend so you can get those above mentioned high performance rigs to work the WPX piles with. Im sure my fellow FGC members would be happy to help take those badly performing, hard to operate silly looking Elecraft rigs off your hands immediately... Its the least we can do for you! Southern Hospitality *REQUIRES* us to be this nice to you! Then, take the money and go out and buy some TS-570's with the stock SSB filter and use them on CW in the next IARU, Please Lu - W4LT Spotting you additional difficulty factors in contests operating K3 #3192 Go FGC! - OJ's! Message: 32 Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:23:00 -0500 From: Guy Olinger K2AV olin...@bellsouth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: ynkedra...@aol.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 46f338981001101923q35375e04u92cfa048392c0...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Add PVRC to that list. Even some of our mumble-grump skeptics went to K3's because they got their **s handed to them in a sling on the low bands when the competition started using K3 true diversity. On Sun, Jan 10, 2010 at 9:41 PM, ynkedra...@aol.com wrote: If FRC, YCCC and FCG members, are not among the Big Guns in the US contest scene, would A fellow please tell us who is? 73, K3YD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Oh yeah,put me on the list,I take any K3's from anyone's hand for a thousand bucks to have one more,after all they are so ugly and unefficient for contesting that they are valued down,right Luis? We in FL love to have them even been so bad. AD4C K3 # 2192 For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Mon, 1/11/10, Lu Romero lrom...@ij.net wrote: From: Lu Romero lrom...@ij.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Monday, January 11, 2010, 4:01 PM Let me be the first to congratulate a fellow on his choice of competitive hardware! Damn, what sage advice! Yes, a wise choice! Please, all you PVRC, YCCC and FRC members! Dont *EVEN* consider an Elecraft K3 for your contesting use and stay with your FT1000'ds, your Pro-2's, your TS940's and your superlative IC-781's for competing with your poor southern cousins in FCG, especially during ARRL 10 Meters, SS and WPX. For that matter, I strongly urge that *ALL* PVRC, YCCC and FRC members switch *IMMEDIATELY* to the above rigs and sell ALL of their K3 rigs to either DX stations or to NCCC or Mad River members (maybe *THEN* they will then be able to hear us from Florida). We might even allow you an additional couple of hundred dollars above a used price to help you get rid of those K3's as a hardship stipend so you can get those above mentioned high performance rigs to work the WPX piles with. Im sure my fellow FGC members would be happy to help take those badly performing, hard to operate silly looking Elecraft rigs off your hands immediately... Its the least we can do for you! Southern Hospitality *REQUIRES* us to be this nice to you! Then, take the money and go out and buy some TS-570's with the stock SSB filter and use them on CW in the next IARU, Please Lu - W4LT Spotting you additional difficulty factors in contests operating K3 #3192 Go FGC! - OJ's! Message: 32 Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:23:00 -0500 From: Guy Olinger K2AV olin...@bellsouth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: ynkedra...@aol.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 46f338981001101923q35375e04u92cfa048392c0...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Add PVRC to that list. Even some of our mumble-grump skeptics went to K3's because they got their **s handed to them in a sling on the low bands when the competition started using K3 true diversity. On Sun, Jan 10, 2010 at 9:41 PM, ynkedra...@aol.com wrote: If FRC, YCCC and FCG members, are not among the Big Guns in the US contest scene, would A fellow please tell us who is? 73, K3YD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I use my K3 almost every day. If it were in a bigger box I probably would not have bought it and gotten the Flex 3000 instead. A small footprint was one of my requirements. But then again coming from an FT-100D as my only HF radio, the K3 seems huge and to have a wealth of controls :-) Another county heard from. 73 de Eric, KG6MZS On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I beg to differ with who stated that most hams want large radios and find the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable. First, not every ham wants a boat anchor box that takes up half the operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. Granted there is a certain niche market of guys that feel the bigger the better; but I don't know as if that is the majority. Sure, there are tradeoffs when you reduce the size of anything; and closer spaced buttons and knobs is one of them with a smaller footprint radio. I just took a good look at the keyboard on my cell phone; it has 41 buttons in a 1 by 4 space. I see kids texting a mile a minute and never missing a beat on those keyboards; the K3 has 46 in a 4 by 10 3/4 space; think how much smaller they could make the K3! What is the psyche of most hams? And what more knobs do we all need (with possible exception of one to null out the XYL when she is yelling at us to come to dinner when we are trying to work some rare DX)? What is the matter with the front panel now? In the past I owned a Orion I, II, Yaesu Ft-1000D, 1000D Mark V, and numerous Drake and Heath equipment. I would not say their front panels were any better (or worse) than the K3. I would agree that some of the Yaesu and Icom radios (with all their color displays and flashing lights, bells, and whistles) might look cool; but at what expense and does it really improve the performance of the radio? Just because the K3 does not fit with one individuals perception of what the radio should be, does not mean that Elecraft is listening to the wrong people. They are listening to the guys that want a small, light radio that will outperform, or is certainly on par with any other out there (regardless of size). And it is a radio that we can take apart without having to worry about voiding the warranty, one we can replace parts and boards if need be, and if does need to be returned to Aptos, it will not cost a small fortune to do so. Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times a year. The K3 is not for the everyday, get on the air and rag chew with the guy in the next state amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7. This is my 2 cents worth. Dick K8ZTT On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4762 (20100111) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times a year. The K3 is not for the everyday, get on the air and rag chew with the guy in the next state amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7. Can anyone with one of those boat anchors can do this: Two nights ago on 40M there was a station from Africa calling cq with a signal of about 57 on SSB and I wanted to work him but just 2Khz below there was a net with lots of stations,most of them 59+20db,you know how bad QRM is that for sure,well,not a problem for a K3,moved down the WIDTH to 1.8 engaged the 1.8Khz roofer as well,moved to the left the SHIFT,to reach the 1.0 spot and what happened? the net and ALL of their users were completely GONE and the dx station was coming cristal clear,end of the story I worked the African station nice and easy. That is why I use my K3 every single day of the year at least 5 to 6 hours,period ! AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Mon, 1/11/10, Dick Williams k8...@mho.com wrote: From: Dick Williams k8...@mho.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Monday, January 11, 2010, 6:21 PM I beg to differ with who stated that most hams want large radios and find the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable. First, not every ham wants a boat anchor box that takes up half the operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. Granted there is a certain niche market of guys that feel the bigger the better; but I don't know as if that is the majority. Sure, there are tradeoffs when you reduce the size of anything; and closer spaced buttons and knobs is one of them with a smaller footprint radio. I just took a good look at the keyboard on my cell phone; it has 41 buttons in a 1 by 4 space. I see kids texting a mile a minute and never missing a beat on those keyboards; the K3 has 46 in a 4 by 10 3/4 space; think how much smaller they could make the K3! What is the psyche of most hams? And what more knobs do we all need (with possible exception of one to null out the XYL when she is yelling at us to come to dinner when we are trying to work some rare DX)? What is the matter with the front panel now? In the past I owned a Orion I, II, Yaesu Ft-1000D, 1000D Mark V, and numerous Drake and Heath equipment. I would not say their front panels were any better (or worse) than the K3. I would agree that some of the Yaesu and Icom radios (with all their color displays and flashing lights, bells, and whistles) might look cool; but at what expense and does it really improve the performance of the radio? Just because the K3 does not fit with one individuals perception of what the radio should be, does not mean that Elecraft is listening to the wrong people. They are listening to the guys that want a small, light radio that will outperform, or is certainly on par with any other out there (regardless of size). And it is a radio that we can take apart without having to worry about voiding the warranty, one we can replace parts and boards if need be, and if does need to be returned to Aptos, it will not cost a small fortune to do so. Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times a year. The K3 is not for the everyday, get on the air and rag chew with the guy in the next state amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7. This is my 2 cents worth. Dick K8ZTT On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4762 (20100111) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I am glad that my K3 doesn't weight in excess of 50 lbs. I have to carry it up a ships ladder into my shack, which is in a loft. One hand for the ladder and one for the K3. I do this several times a year to update the firmware. 73, Rick Dettinger K7MW On Jan 11, 2010, at 10:21 AM, Dick Williams wrote: I beg to differ with who stated that most hams want large radios and find the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable. First, not every ham wants a boat anchor box that takes up half the operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I cannot believe the threads we get here The K3 is my main station. I used it along for rag chew...Dxing...and contesting. It runs SSB - CW - PSK - RTTY. It feeds a AL82 and a lot of antennas on a city lot. Again, it is my main rig. I have no Y or K or I or T in the shack. I do have a K2 because I love the rig. I also have a Knight T-50, a Drake 2B, and a HQ-110. I use the K3 for everything. It never moves off the desk. If I want to set a parameter...I used the menus or a computer program. It is not hard. I find the rig perfect in size. I pound on this rig weekly. (read: use it regularly if you cannot understand idioms. Don't think I have a hammer in the shack whacking on it each week.) If you want buttonsget a Y or K or I or T ... but I am happy with all the features of the K3...and it has ... I repeat ... has gotten better since I got in two years ago. It has great buttons...very sexy! :) The K3 is the best I have used. Now...if you want no knobs...or menus...go buy and old TT Triton IV. Now that was skimpy with knobs and buttons. Don't forget to get a external VFO for split. Lee - K0WA ... _._ In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. - J. Wolf __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Prior to the advent of , first, the K2 and then the K3 I owned my share of huge radios which almost required two men and a small boy to move. (well I exaggerate ) and I well remember having to hand carry a TS-930 through the length of the St. Louis airport on my way to KP4...not a lot of fun! I find the K3 pretty much the ideal size for my purposes. The front panel is not cluttered but comprehensive enough that there is little need for daily changes to menu items. Doug, W6JD K2 #1626, K3 #23 - Original Message - From: Rick Dettinger k7mw78@ gmail .com To: Dick Williams k8ztt@ mho .com Cc: Elecraft @mailman. qth .net Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 11:17:19 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: [ Elecraft ] K3 how often do you use it? I am glad that my K3 doesn't weight in excess of 50 lbs. I have to carry it up a ships ladder into my shack, which is in a loft. One hand for the ladder and one for the K3. I do this several times a year to update the firmware. 73, Rick Dettinger K7MW On Jan 11, 2010, at 10:21 AM, Dick Williams wrote: I beg to differ with who stated that most hams want large radios and find the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable. First, not every ham wants a boat anchor box that takes up half the operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http ://mailman. qth .net/mailman/ listinfo / elecraft Help: http ://mailman. qth .net/ mmfaq . htm Post: mailto : Elecraft @mailman. qth .net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I find the K3 pretty much the ideal size for my purposes. The front panel is not cluttered but comprehensive enough that there is little need for daily changes to menu items. In the future, hopefully we'll see detachable front panels where a small or large stand-alone panel format cold be purchased as an option, depending on user operating conditions. For base use, a panel loaded with extra buttons could be used to bring secondary functions onto their own button (e.g., A=B and SPLIT). Then, when its time to operate portable, detach the panel and take the base K3 unit into the field (or mobile) using a smaller panel. In the case of the TS-480, Kenwood accomplishes functionality of all controls, menus and buttons on one 57 kbps serial buss. This makes it easy for its owners to detach the control panel and plug it into a serial-to-USB port so that the TS-480 panel can be plugged right into a notebook PC. It's great having access to a real panel with VFO to spin while operating Internet remote. In the case of the K3, I haven't looked much at the panel connectivity but it should be possible to simply detach the K3 front panel and insert a black-faced front onto it with say an RJ-45 for the convenience of Ethernet cabling. The cable would then connect on the other end to the control panel size of your choice or to a serial-to-USB converter (as in the TS-480 example) to take a panel with you and run remote. I have to believe that if demand were strong enough, Elecraft could quickly whip-up an optional black panel for the K3 as well as a choice of small and large stand-alone panels. The small panel could leverage what's already available on the current panel. I'll go on record for ordering the first complete set! Paul, W9AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Thankfully Elecraft has a limited number of products which they continue to support in a far more active way than any other manufacturer. I too have sometimes thought that a larger radio would be nice but then there are advantages to the present size. There is no harm in our passing on dreams but lets be thankful that the K3 continues to develop. It seems Paul that you and the rest of us are largely in agreement on this point. The K3 was one of the best purchasing decisions this old goat has ever made. Now I await the P3 and then the radio will have grown in size - Hi Hi. 73 Doug EI2CN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: 11 January 2010 20:09 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? I find the K3 pretty much the ideal size for my purposes. The front panel is not cluttered but comprehensive enough that there is little need for daily changes to menu items. In the future, hopefully we'll see detachable front panels where a small or large stand-alone panel format cold be purchased as an option, depending on user operating conditions. For base use, a panel loaded with extra buttons could be used to bring secondary functions onto their own button (e.g., A=B and SPLIT). Then, when its time to operate portable, detach the panel and take the base K3 unit into the field (or mobile) using a smaller panel. In the case of the TS-480, Kenwood accomplishes functionality of all controls, menus and buttons on one 57 kbps serial buss. This makes it easy for its owners to detach the control panel and plug it into a serial-to-USB port so that the TS-480 panel can be plugged right into a notebook PC. It's great having access to a real panel with VFO to spin while operating Internet remote. In the case of the K3, I haven't looked much at the panel connectivity but it should be possible to simply detach the K3 front panel and insert a black-faced front onto it with say an RJ-45 for the convenience of Ethernet cabling. The cable would then connect on the other end to the control panel size of your choice or to a serial-to-USB converter (as in the TS-480 example) to take a panel with you and run remote. I have to believe that if demand were strong enough, Elecraft could quickly whip-up an optional black panel for the K3 as well as a choice of small and large stand-alone panels. The small panel could leverage what's already available on the current panel. I'll go on record for ordering the first complete set! Paul, W9AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
K8RDD wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. That's just one man's opinion, one thing every ham is guaranteed to have. But the assertion that K3 owners hardly ever use their radios makes it a pretty ludicrous opinion. The K3 can't possibly be all things to all people but if it can be done in firmware it certainly tries. However size / ergonomics is one aspect where it can only be one thing or the other. The fact that Elecraft went for a light weight small size package probably does reflect the preferences of its founders, if previous Elecraft models are anything to go by. They wanted to create a high performance radio that could easily be used in the field, as well as at home. I guess they might also have considered that smaller, lower cost radios sell in greater numbers and represent less of a business risk than one that appealed only to those with deep pockets and a very large shack. I certainly would not have bought a K3 if it was $1000 more, twice the size and four times the weight. Yaesu, Icom and Ten-Tec both have a range of products that cater for all needs from the portable operator to the shack-bound top DXers. Note that Kenwood with its smaller range don't make a desktop leviathan either. When Elecraft has been established as long as Yaesu, Icom and Ten-Tec they'll probably have a big desktop model too. - Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-how-often-do-you-use-it-tp4279807p4280673.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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Well it seems K3 users put more mileage than some people think on there radios. I think people buy with there ego more than with there brains. So I guess this gentleman was correct in saying that Elecraft has failed at looking at marketing. The first design criteria should have been looks, second transmit power, and third weight/size of the radio and lastly using depleted uranium for the knob. This is my first Elecraft product when I bought my 2 K3's. I'll be honest I never looked at Elecraft before as the K2 looked to be a toy. It took a bad experience with the purchase of a newly released radio a couple of years ago to make me take a look at the newly announced K3. I have had so many rigs and it seems they all had issues and had to be modified to fix the problems. Such as the nb being on all of the time on unnamed yaesu models, very bad cw clicks, wax that got in to trimmer caps, ( although I did keep the Ic-765 as the rx was good on this one), glue that became conductive after a time frame, just to name a few. It seemed normal for so long. Now don't get me wrong, Elecraft has made some hardware changes as well as firmware changes to make things better. But they respond and respond quickly to user input most of the time. I would like to see a big radio when I set down at the bench but after using it for well over a year now I don't miss it. I would miss the performance though. I'm no big gun, I'm not into contesting, but when sunspots are cooking and I want to be able to use my rig without the front end being blasted with desense, then I am very happy with my purchase choice. In the past on other rigs I have actually had to turn the rig off and go do something else. I guess we should end this thread but I wanted to see if I was missing something here. I do believe Elecraft may want to look at marketing differently. Maybe they could have scantily clad girls hand out hats. No never mind. Thanks for all the answers guys. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I think the thing to do for those who want a big radio is to purchase two K3's. My boss bought a used K3 last week and I took it home to check it out compared to my newer unit. I put them side by side on my desk, and the two of them look awesome and impressive. The pair still costs less than a ICOM 7800 so this is an economical solution that consumes as much desk space. The power output issue is a red herring. Most people run some type of amplifier, and any one of them that runs legal output power can be driven by the K3. I replaced the DSP board in my K3 and I admit that I liked it before, but it sounds great now. I have poor antennas but signals sound great on it both on CW and SSB. I always use headphones so the discussion of how it sounds through speakers I have no comment on. 73, Bob W5OV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Randy Downs Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 6:21 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? Well it seems K3 users put more mileage than some people think on there radios. I think people buy with there ego more than with there brains. So I guess this gentleman was correct in saying that Elecraft has failed at looking at marketing. The first design criteria should have been looks, second transmit power, and third weight/size of the radio and lastly using depleted uranium for the knob. This is my first Elecraft product when I bought my 2 K3's. I'll be honest I never looked at Elecraft before as the K2 looked to be a toy. It took a bad experience with the purchase of a newly released radio a couple of years ago to make me take a look at the newly announced K3. I have had so many rigs and it seems they all had issues and had to be modified to fix the problems. Such as the nb being on all of the time on unnamed yaesu models, very bad cw clicks, wax that got in to trimmer caps, ( although I did keep the Ic-765 as the rx was good on this one), glue that became conductive after a time frame, just to name a few. It seemed normal for so long. Now don't get me wrong, Elecraft has made some hardware changes as well as firmware changes to make things better. But they respond and respond quickly to user input most of the time. I would like to see a big radio when I set down at the bench but after using it for well over a year now I don't miss it. I would miss the performance though. I'm no big gun, I'm not into contesting, but when sunspots are cooking and I want to be able to use my rig without the front end being blasted with desense, then I am very happy with my purchase choice. In the past on other rigs I have actually had to turn the rig off and go do something else. I guess we should end this thread but I wanted to see if I was missing something here. I do believe Elecraft may want to look at marketing differently. Maybe they could have scantily clad girls hand out hats. No never mind. Thanks for all the answers guys. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I for one personally wouldn't mind... ...er, a free hat that is. James K2QI -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Randy Downs Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 7:21 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? snip I do believe Elecraft may want to look at marketing differently. Maybe they could have scantily clad girls hand out hats. No never mind. Thanks for all the answers guys. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
G'day, Being retired my K3 is used every day mainly chasing down DX so more listening than transmitting. I don't have any problem with the form factor, suits me just fine, so does the K2 I built in 2000 and which accounted for over 200 DXCC for me during its evolution from QRP to QRO and my improving antenna circumstances. It took a while to get used to the soft buttons on the K3 compared to the solid clicky action of those on the K2. I've never had a pan-display so I don't miss it and looking at the operating sequences in the K5D video it seems to be a big distraction of limited use. For me the K3 build experience is no where near as much fun as the K2 but that isn't the question. Regards, Mike VP8NO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
G'day, Being retired my K3 is used every day mainly chasing down DX so more listening than transmitting. I don't have any problem with the form factor, suits me just fine, so does the K2 I built in 2000 and which accounted for over 200 DXCC for me during its evolution from QRP to QRO and my improving antenna circumstances. It took a while to get used to the soft buttons on the K3 compared to the solid clicky action of those on the K2. I've never had a pan-display so I don't miss it and looking at the operating sequences in the K5D video it seems to be a big distraction of limited use. For me the K3 build experience is no where near as much fun as the K2 but that isn't the question. Regards, Mike VP8NO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Randy Downs wrote: He told me that a Big Gun would never buy a K3. #1 due to not having 200w, #2 due to ergonomics. He basically said that people that buy a K3 don't use it enough to not see the inherent flaws in the layout, size etc. of the K3. Road Apples!!! The big gun contest stations don't run low power so 200W is irrelevant. They also do very little fiddling with settings once running so control count is irrelevant as well. The guy your talking about must have been a marketing major. That's the problem, we've been fed pretty lights and more knobs than we know what to do with for years. The guys with more more money than sense and very little RF experience snap them up and all of a sudden the FTdx Pro IV becomes the rig to have. IC-7800 or FT-9000 anybody? If a rig takes up half the desk, takes two people to carry, and looks like a 747 cockpit control panel it must be a great performer, right? I've always found that the antenna was the most critical part of my station. Then the transceiver as far dynamic range etc. Then power output, in that order. What does everyone else think? I know looks to a lot of people are #1, but I'm sure that the station I am trying to contact really doesn't care. Randy K8RDD Agree totally. -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I use my K3 4 to 6 hours every day sometimes more it has more talk power and a cleaner signal than any other rig I have ever had or still have. Since the born on date June 13 2009 my Ft2000 station holds up the K3 at just the right hight for me I have stopped comparing A/B the receiver of the two radios. My FT2000 DMU U-Tuning 40/80 PEP 2000 firmware up dates fixed a lot wrong with the FT2k I have only transmitted on the Yaesu rig 3 times since getting my K3 kit built. I though I was going to be bothered by the size, I found that it never was an issue. The only thing I really miss is a triple band stacking registry like my Yaesu has, however I have learned to live with out it. On the size small and light has advantages over big and heavy everything in life is a trade off this thing goes mobile so easy and it has top of the line performance as well. Performance wise the K3 is hard to find fault with. The company Elecraft is light years ahead of the big three no face saving statements covering up design flaws, we are happy with the design there is nothing wrong with it! Yaesu rigs are still losing the front end preamps and mixers! No unanswered e-mails! No stupid answers on phone calls about issues by service personal! Rapid attention by the owners on the group unlike the big three. Continuing up grading new features improvements in performance. No need to sell at a big loss a pro to get a pro 1 , pro 2, pro3. I could go on but you all get the picture there is only small nic picks that I would change one being the volume of the side tone, spot and how its tied together, even this is just a matter of getting used to how it works. My experience with my FT2000 was so bad the first year with twice broken front end and couple that with the (I feel) intentional lying about Diversity Receive and roof filter performance. The only JOY had was UPS made money shipping it. I will not be purchasing a FT5000 or even thinking about one Yaesu lied and my 18 years loyalty died. And besides I have a K3 which is better than my FT2k in every way but size and looks, Yaesu DMU eye candy is nice but that's what it is over priced eye candy. One night I was AM broadcast DXing just to see what I could hear I live 12 miles from WLS .890 50k boomer 3 miles from Radio Mickey Mouse 1.300 AM, 20 miles from .780 WBBM 50k boomer I was using my Hy Tower antenna listen to .770 WABC in NY clear and clean with out the woop woop of .780 just like I was in there 100 % coverage zone I find that amazing just a quick adjustment of the shift a bit cleaned up the interference just up the band. I have never experienced any thing like that with any other radio even a Rich Mish rebuilt R390a Motorola, FT1000d and so on. My location is close to many AM broadcast stations the K3 don't even know they are there when I'm on the ham bands. Can't say that about the FT2000 or some of the Icom's I have had in the past. Elecraft has designed a pro stock race car capable with the right tune up winning any NHRA drag race. It's up to the driver /tuner to adjust and get it right for best performance, the rig often has to much gain and needs to be pulled back a bit to optimize the performance. Again I use my K3 4 to 6 hrs every day all I can say is right on Elecraft keep up the good work I appreciate it very much, and job well done, the field is all chasing you. Regards Art ka9zap __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
-Original Message- Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 22:10:55 -0500 From: Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com Subject: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? It should have tarted A fellow. He told me that a Big Gun would never buy a K3. 1 due to not having 200w, #2 due to ergonomics. He basically said hat people that buy a K3 don't use it enough to not see the inherent laws in the layout, size etc. of the K3. He felt the 1000d was much etter. A recent meeting of the Frankford Radio Club (FRC) which includes a substantial number of Type-A, Big Guns seemed as much a K3 convention as it was a club meeting. I know some Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) member calls show up on this reflector. The K3 is becoming quite popular among the members of Florida Contest Group (FCG), too, I am told. If FRC, YCCC and FCG members, are not among the Big Guns in the US contest scene, would A fellow please tell us who is? 73, K3YD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Add PVRC to that list. Even some of our mumble-grump skeptics went to K3's because they got their **s handed to them in a sling on the low bands when the competition started using K3 true diversity. On Sun, Jan 10, 2010 at 9:41 PM, ynkedra...@aol.com wrote: If FRC, YCCC and FCG members, are not among the Big Guns in the US contest scene, would A fellow please tell us who is? 73, K3YD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Randy, I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me. YMMV. Tim K5OI/qrp Ruidoso, NM On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I use my K3 at least once a week... perhaps a few hours here or there. I have two kids and work full time, so getting the air time is a nice treat. I wouldn't mind having a bigger box with bigger knobs and a nice LCD to boot, but my desk/shack won't permit it. See my shack picture on QRZ if you want to see how we New Yorkers in apartments deal with space issues, hi! Vy 73 de James K2QI -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tim Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 8:54 PM To: Randy Downs Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? Randy, I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me. YMMV. Tim K5OI/qrp Ruidoso, NM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I didn't find any questions about marketing when I took my ham exams. I think all that needs to be judged on the subject, is to look at sales vs the time the K3 has been in production. Seems to me they're listening to the crowd who's willing to reach for the hip pocket. How much smarter marketing strategy could there possibly be? I think HF in general is falling in popularity, but that's due to the FCC;s decision to put everybody's shack on their belt. I do think the Kenwood TS-2000 is a particularly ugly radio. ;-) 73, Mike NF4L Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Don't know about actual time but 90% the K3 and 10% my pristine TS-940S. Mike-14 wrote: I didn't find any questions about marketing when I took my ham exams. I think all that needs to be judged on the subject, is to look at sales vs the time the K3 has been in production. Seems to me they're listening to the crowd who's willing to reach for the hip pocket. How much smarter marketing strategy could there possibly be? I think HF in general is falling in popularity, but that's due to the FCC;s decision to put everybody's shack on their belt. I do think the Kenwood TS-2000 is a particularly ugly radio. ;-) 73, Mike NF4L Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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-how-often-do-you-use-it-tp4279807p4279857.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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
If I would have been the one to decide on size, the height is just fine with the bail up. I would have made it maybe an inch wider for increased accessibility for my thick fingers which are marginally thinner than my head. I'm the kind of who finds cell phone keypads too small too... As to K3 use/week: 100% of my operations till I finish replacing all of the electrolytics in my Corsair II with new Ultra low ESR caps even then it'll be 95% K3. Time wise? contests... most of the contest. DXing: Listening 10 hours a week. Transmit? 30 minutes including exchanges small talk. Other: 1-2 hours as my AM radio in the shack 73, Gary KA1J I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Same here, but about 25 hours a week. Having sold an Orion and bought the K3, I did it in part because of its nice size and ergonomics. I love this radio, and I have only had it about a month now. But I guess I am weird in that I still really like my K2... Ci Jones, WU7R Helena, MT -Original Message- From: Tim k...@arrl.net To: Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sat, Jan 9, 2010 6:54 pm Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? Randy, I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me. YMMV. Tim K5OI/qrp Ruidoso, NM On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Sorry for the misspelling in the original message. It should have started A fellow. He told me that a Big Gun would never buy a K3. #1 due to not having 200w, #2 due to ergonomics. He basically said that people that buy a K3 don't use it enough to not see the inherent flaws in the layout, size etc. of the K3. He felt the 1000d was much better. I don't own my 1000d or MkII anymore. I did buy the K3's with some reservation as far as it being more like my 751a as far as bandswitching etc. But after using the K3 for over a year I have found very few things to complain about. My Ft-2000 sure was prettier though. Anyway I thought after being on this reflector for a long time now that most people here were obviously pretty sharp, and use there rigs quite a bit. I am not a contestor but I would guess those that are have the basic requirements of a station with the antenna being the number one concern, if not determination.. I've always found that the antenna was the most critical part of my station. Then the transceiver as far dynamic range etc. Then power output, in that order. What does everyone else think? I know looks to a lot of people are #1, but I'm sure that the station I am trying to contact really doesn't care. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Randy, That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3 ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over 3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that fact despite what some would call shortcomings such as a small front panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks are still buying them. It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance and diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3 shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'. 73, Don W3FPR Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.131/2609 - Release Date: 01/09/10 02:35:00 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
As I am retired and planned on being on the air a lot I find I use my new K3about 40 hours a week. I find the ergonomics and packaging perfect formy use. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Rick W3BI Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:54:07 -0700 From: k...@arrl.net To: randyddo...@gmail.com CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? Randy, I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me. YMMV. Tim K5OI/qrp Ruidoso, NM On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html _ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390710/direct/01/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
My take: 35W drives my amp to 1.5KW on CW, can't see the value of a 200W exciter. The looks of my K3 are just beautiful. Not as good looking as my girlfriend but it does just fine in the shack. ;) Gary KA1J Sorry for the misspelling in the original message. It should have started A fellow. He told me that a Big Gun would never buy a K3. #1 due to not having 200w, #2 due to ergonomics. He basically said that people that buy a K3 don't use it enough to not see the inherent flaws in the layout, size etc. of the K3. He felt the 1000d was much better. I don't own my 1000d or MkII anymore. I did buy the K3's with some reservation as far as it being more like my 751a as far as bandswitching etc. But after using the K3 for over a year I have found very few things to complain about. My Ft-2000 sure was prettier though. Anyway I thought after being on this reflector for a long time now that most people here were obviously pretty sharp, and use there rigs quite a bit. I am not a contestor but I would guess those that are have the basic requirements of a station with the antenna being the number one concern, if not determination.. I've always found that the antenna was the most critical part of my station. Then the transceiver as far dynamic range etc. Then power output, in that order. What does everyone else think? I know looks to a lot of people are #1, but I'm sure that the station I am trying to contact really doesn't care. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
I sold a big rig in deference to the K3. Many of the big screen features of the big rigs - and more, I'll wager - will be provided by the P3 at a price which will *begin* to put the K3+P3 combo in the same league as the big rigs but still with the performance advantages that many Elecraft owners value. For me, this highlights the SUPERIORITY of Elecraft's marketing - you can pay for only the features you need: output power, 2nd receiver, portability, screen size, etc. I'd like to have this kind of unbundled value from my satellite TV provider! -- 73 -- Brian -- K1LI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend said. He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that precisely the Big guns as he call the major dxers on the world are all selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy? because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are selling them to buy K3's. I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many radios that has passed by here. I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of 55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db over,surely he will lose the weak one using those big radios,that don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to carry it to anywhere on this planet. Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even one,only back up radios they took were the K2's. The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and If someone don't believe it,that is his problem. have a good weekend. AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM Randy, That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3 ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over 3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that fact despite what some would call shortcomings such as a small front panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks are still buying them. It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance and diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3 shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'. 73, Don W3FPR Randy Downs wrote: I fellow said Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise. in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.131/2609 - Release Date: 01/09/10 02:35:00 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Hi Gang, I fully agree with Hector's comments, we have to know what we want ? It has been explained many times in the reflector what was the Elecraft politics, easy to carry rig for dxpeditions or field days with great performance etc.etc... By Hams, for Hams, that's the Ham spirit who has been a little bit forgetted since we are using those limousine rigs where most functions are automated and not let the user to go beyond the limit if they want to. The design looks not like those pretty rigs, so what ! After testing on lab most of the commercial and Hams rigs on the market for years my only regret was not to order a K3 earlier, thanks to John ON4UN, who convinced me ! As a exclusive wire antenna user, what a great help for chasing the weak signal especially in a industrial environment as mine. In cw it is a great performer and in ssb it's not bad too with the 2.8 + 1,8 khz 8 poles filters where you can discriminated easily a weaker signal in a overloaded environment. The Electraft team are taking care of the comments of the users to improve day after day their products, what can be expected more for us ? I'm just a little bit anxious about the continuity of Elecraft company when Wayne and Eric will be retired but no doubt they will find somebody in the pure Ham spirit as they are. 73's Philippe A65BI (F5LTB) http://www.qrz.com/callsign/A65BI Philippe TROTTET Head of Field Telecom Unit - DUBAI United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees International Humanitarian City Office Building Nº3 - Room 2, 1st Floor Doha Street PO BOX: 506013 DUBAI - U.A.E. Dubai time: GMT +4 W: Sunday to Thursday HQ Ext: 7120 Vsat: xx 41 22 7120 External: +971 4 3601753 +41 22 739 7120 Mobile: +971 504531756 Website: www.unhcr.org ( http://www.unhcr.org/ ) Hector Padron ad4c2...@yahoo.com 10-01-2010 7:42 Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend said. He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that precisely the Big guns as he call the major dxers on the world are all selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy? because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are selling them to buy K3's. I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many radios that has passed by here. I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of 55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db over,surely he will lose the weak one using those big radios,that don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to carry it to anywhere on this planet. Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even one,only back up radios they took were the K2's. The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and If someone don't believe it,that is his problem. have a good weekend. AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com Cc: elecr...@mailman .qth.net Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM Randy, That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3 ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over 3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that fact despite what some would call shortcomings such as a small front panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks are still buying them. It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so if that is the most important parameter on your list
Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
There you go Phillip,and you should say also that ON4UN considered one of the BIG GUN dxer in the world replaced his two Tentec Orions,another very high performance radio for two K3's,that says it all. Thanks for your comments and by the way I bet your dog dentist must be very expensive,haha,73 AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Sun, 1/10/10, Philippe Trottet trot...@unhcr.org wrote: From: Philippe Trottet trot...@unhcr.org Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 4:48 AM Hi Gang, I fully agree with Hector's comments, we have to know what we want ? It has been explained many times in the reflector what was the Elecraft politics, easy to carry rig for dxpeditions or field days with great performance etc.etc... By Hams, for Hams, that's the Ham spirit who has been a little bit forgetted since we are using those limousine rigs where most functions are automated and not let the user to go beyond the limit if they want to. The design looks not like those pretty rigs, so what ! After testing on lab most of the commercial and Hams rigs on the market for years my only regret was not to order a K3 earlier, thanks to John ON4UN, who convinced me ! As a exclusive wire antenna user, what a great help for chasing the weak signal especially in a industrial environment as mine. In cw it is a great performer and in ssb it's not bad too with the 2.8 + 1,8 khz 8 poles filters where you can discriminated easily a weaker signal in a overloaded environment. The Electraft team are taking care of the comments of the users to improve day after day their products, what can be expected more for us ? I'm just a little bit anxious about the continuity of Elecraft company when Wayne and Eric will be retired but no doubt they will find somebody in the pure Ham spirit as they are. 73's Philippe A65BI (F5LTB) http://www.qrz.com/callsign/A65BI Philippe TROTTET Head of Field Telecom Unit - DUBAI United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees International Humanitarian City Office Building Nº3 - Room 2, 1st Floor Doha Street PO BOX: 506013 DUBAI - U.A.E. Dubai time: GMT +4 W: Sunday to Thursday HQ Ext: 7120 Vsat: xx 41 22 7120 External: +971 4 3601753 +41 22 739 7120 Mobile: +971 504531756 Website: www.unhcr.org ( http://www.unhcr.org/ ) Hector Padron ad4c2...@yahoo.com 10-01-2010 7:42 Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend said. He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that precisely the Big guns as he call the major dxers on the world are all selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy? because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are selling them to buy K3's. I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many radios that has passed by here. I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of 55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db over,surely he will lose the weak one using those big radios,that don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to carry it to anywhere on this planet. Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even one,only back up radios they took were the K2's. The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and If someone don't believe it,that is his problem. have a good weekend. AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it? To: Randy Downs randyddo...@gmail.com Cc: elecr...@mailman .qth.net Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM Randy, That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3 ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions
[Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
Every day, sometimes 24 hours per day running WSPR. It is the most amazing radio I have ever owned! 73, Doug W7RDP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
