I think it's almost better to get a much cheaper older rig first. In my latest run as a ham I started with an old Kenwood TS140 for about $350. It worked fine for what it could do. It couldn't break apart pileups but it allowed me to make many QSOs. However, when I got my K3--wow! I don't think I could really appreciate the K3 unless I had first used a basic rig first. I still get a thrill when I narrow the bandpass down to 50hz.
I still have the TS140 which is perfect for using in high risk environments and/or lending to the next new ham. Eric WB7SDE On December 5, 2014 11:29:13 PM PST, Gary Gregory <vk1zzg...@gmail.com> wrote: >Don > >You should add that the K3 has been around for quite awhile now so it >has >proven not just its performance but adoption by many knowledgeable hams >around the world and has also proven very reliable operating in less >than >ideal conditions....ask me how i know this....:-) > >No better advertisement than customer satisfaction i suppose....grin >Gary >Vk1ZZ >K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3. >On 06/12/2014 3:48 PM, "Don Wilhelm" <w3...@embarqmail.com> wrote: > >> Yes, simple is better, but if that new ham is interested in having a >> top-notch station, he will be well advised to consider Elecraft gear. > If >> for no other reason than the Elecraft gear is upgradable -- one does >not >> have to buy the "whole ball of wax" at the initial purchase time, it >can be >> upgrades as operating needs arise. >> >> My typical response to new hams is that they do not yet know what >they >> will want for whatever type of operation they might eventually become >> interested in, so yes, they should get some operating experience >under >> their belts before deciding on which rig they would want for their >> station. That can be simply a borrowed transceiver to get that new >ham on >> the air. >> >> However, if the new ham does not have locals who will loan him >> transceivers to "get on the air", the KX3 offers a great receiver, >and a >> limited number of options, which I believe will serve the novice >operator >> well for a very long time. The only question is "do you want higher >than >> 15 watts power"? If yes, then the KXPA100 is available and if you do >not >> have resonant antennas, the KXAT100 is a good wide range auto tuner. >> >> The K3 is also a good choice for beginning hams. Many get hung up on >what >> filters to purchase with the K3, but my recommendation to the new ham >is to >> purchase no optional filters - the DSP provides gppd filtering except >in >> crowded band conditions such a contests and extreme DXing. As >operating >> experience is gained, that new ham who has now been seasoned may want >> additional filters, and they are easily added to the K3. Likewise >the >> SubRX may be useful in some operating scenarios, but the new ham >would not >> know the advantages provided by the SubRX until he "gets his feet >wet". >> The price of a basic K3 or a basic KX3 is within the realm of other >high >> end transceivers on the market (and in fact may be priced less than >many >> other comparable transceivers). >> >> Bottom line, I would not hesitate to recommend a basic K3 or KX3 to >any >> new ham. He will have a great receiver, and the options offered by >> Elecraft can allow that new ham to customize his station by adding >options >> as his needs and operating experiences dictate. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 12/5/2014 10:55 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote: >> >>> I really have to agree. Simple is better to start with. I don't >>> consider the KX3 to be simple by any means. Having some immediate >success >>> is the best way to keep a new ham interested. I keep several >loaners >>> around that aren't worth very much on the used market but serve very >well >>> as starter rigs. At least twice those loaners have gone to young >men with >>> an interest that eventually led to getting licensed. (Both now >Extras). >>> >>> On the other hand, if a new ham has an accessible Elmer and has an >>> opportunity for a short course in KX3 operating AND happens to be >able to >>> erect a decent antenna, it might indeed be a fine choice. >>> >>> Like a lot of things in life - it all depends... >>> >>> 73, Doug -- K0DXV >>> >>> On Thu, 04 Dec 2014 09:27:06 -0700, Don Butler <n...@comcast.net> >wrote: >>> >>> There seems to be unanimous agreement here, but I beg to differ. >In my >>>> opinion, the KX3 is not ideal for a typical beginning general class >>>> operator. I own a KX3 myself, and I think it's wonderful, and I >doubt >>>> that >>>> I will ever part with it. It shines when it comes to portable >operation >>>> .. >>>> That's why I bought it, that's what I use it for, and it's by far >the >>>> best >>>> portable rig I've ever owned. I also have two K3s in my shack, and >I use >>>> them when I'm operating there, which is the vast majority of the >time. >>>> But >>>> let's face it, most beginning hams are forced to deal with budget >limits, >>>> and a new KX3 is expensive. The last time I checked, the cost of a >>>> loaded >>>> KX3 with an outboard KXPA100 setup for HF only is well over $2300 >plus >>>> tax >>>> and shipping, and that's without a power supply. >>>> >>>> We know that the antenna system is the most important part of any >>>> station, >>>> and that an average transceiver with a great antenna will always >>>> outperform >>>> a state of the art transceiver with a bare bones wire antenna. Some >will >>>> disagree, but I believe that a beginner will obtain more enjoyment >and >>>> success with a 100 watt transmitter versus a 10 watt transmitter .. >>>> He'll be >>>> able to work most of the stations he can hear, which will not >happen when >>>> he's QRP. QRP operation can be very, very frustrating (you know >the >>>> saying >>>> .. "life is too short ...") >>>> >>>> There are many transceivers readily available on the used market . >some >>>> for >>>> as little as $200 to $300. and, of course, they go on up from >there. >>>> Forget about all of those high tech bench testing numbers.. a >beginner >>>> simply needs a transceiver that works! I happen to have a $200 >TS-520S >>>> (with internal power supply) in my shack that I fire up every once >in >>>> awhile. I really doubt that most listeners can distinguish its 130 >watt >>>> signal from that of my 100 watt KX3/KPA100. I would suggest that a >>>> beginner >>>> buy something like that and use the rest of his budget to build a >good >>>> station and antenna system. He will likely opt to buy a new KX3, >K3 or >>>> another excellent top of the line transceiver somewhere down the >line, >>>> but >>>> by that time he'll have a much better idea about what he really >wants, >>>> and >>>> the direction he wants to go in this wonderful hobby of ours. >>>> >>>> Don, N5LZ >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf >Of >>>> Edward >>>> R Cole >>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 2:47 PM >>>> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is the KX3 a good choice for a new General? >>>> >>>> Actually, I would say its a good choice for any new ham (Tech or >General >>>> License). >>>> >>>> It has both 10m and 6m for the Tech at 8w output which can work >quite >>>> well >>>> when bands are open, and locally if not. Add the 2M module and you >have >>>> 2m >>>> at 3w which will work nearby repeaters. But both 6m and 2m SSB or >>>> digital >>>> modes can also be used which offers increased diversity of >operating. >>>> >>>> First step to increase usability is get a good antenna for any band >>>> considered, then maybe an amplifier. I have a HB 140w HF amp, a >Mirage >>>> 125w >>>> 6m amp, and RFConcepts 35w 2m amp which the KX3 can drive. The >whole lot >>>> can go mobile. >>>> >>>> The good part is when you advance in ham radio the KX3 has the >>>> capabilities >>>> to advance with you, so its not just a starter rig. Firmware >>>> improvements >>>> and additions preclude it becoming outdated technology. Quality >and >>>> performance it is hard to beat for the bucks! Had I now already >had a >>>> K3, >>>> the KX3 would probably be my first purchase. >>>> >>>> Of course I am not a new ham (56-years since I got my Novice: a >week from >>>> tomorrow). So its a good new radio for an old timer - too! ;-) >>>> >>>> 73, Ed - KL7UW >>>> http://www.kl7uw.com >>>> "Kits made by KL7UW" >>>> Dubus Mag business: >>>> dubus...@gmail.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 >>>> Message >>>> delivered to n...@comcast.net >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> Message delivered to k0...@aol.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 >> Message delivered to vk1zzg...@gmail.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 >Message delivered to wb7...@evross.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
