Doug, I just went through this process. The Kenwood TS590SG was on my list. AT the end of the day the deciding factors came down to support and upgradability. The Elecraft support is fanatical and as developments are made we have the option to update our radios (for the most part). If you already own a K3 you can progressively update the features you need to the latest technology. If you don't own one you can buy the latest version which reflects all updates and developments to date. You also get a warranty. You may not need the latest developments OR may be able to get a K3 and update only the things you need less expensive than a new K3S. I would ask how much your time is worth? The cost difference between the Kenwood and a likewise equipped K3S was around $1800 or so. When Kenwood comes out with a new version the value of the TS590SG will drop like a hot rock. If you look at the value of a used K3 VS what they were selling for prior to the release of the K3S has the value dropped by the same margin? From what I've seen the used K3 rigs are still fetching a premium AND they can be progressively updated.
The Kenwood is probably just fine for some folks. Personally I want fanatical support and upgradability in addition to the bleeding edge of performance. Jer -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Doug Turnbull Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 2:41 PM To: 'bs usb'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S OR K3 Hi Frank, I suspect the performance difference between the Kenwood TS590SG and K3 is at most 10%. The performance difference between the K3S and K3 is smaller still and you can upgrade the K3. Perhaps you do not care about bands lower than 160M. So purchase a K3 and maybe add the new synch card later. If you want the best of the best then purchase a K3S and pay much more. The used price of the K3 is no doubt dropping so it is good value. If you can afford the Porsche then go for it but it will not get you to the coffee shop any sooner unless you break the law. At 71 it will not help you pick up women either for that matter. Please do not take this as being critical in anyway. It is not. Some day I may purchase a K3S though it is hard to see why when I have two K3 fully loaded and KX3. The K3 has the new synthesizer boards - two in my case because of the second receiver. Elecraft has been very good in designing the upgrades so that they can be used in the K3. Yes I would like the Porsche but will never spend the money on one! There are better things such as the K3S. 73 Doug EI2CN -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of bs usb Sent: 20 August 2015 18:41 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3S OR K3 I know there was a discussion on this subject. I ignored it because I was not interested in either radio. Recent events have me interested in either a K3S or K3. I know the K3 will have to be a used radio because new ones are no longer available. I am not sure why that is. Sounds like a marketing tactic. I believe the K2 is still in production. In any case a used K3 can be bought for significantly less than a new K3S. I am not convinced that the K3S 'improvements' are worth the extra expense. For instance, I don't need to be paying 2X for a 0.1X improvement. Of course if the performance does go to 2X over a K3, I might be convinced to pay 2X. So what was the conclusion of the discussion? Do we have a 2X improvement in the KS3 over the K3 or is it more like 0.1X? -- Frank-K5DKZ ______________________________________________________________ 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 turnb...@net1.ie ______________________________________________________________ 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 je...@carolinaheli.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
