On 4/26/2016 1:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
The P3 also has far more screen height dedicated to the spectrum and waterfall displays,
I believe. Aren't the 7300's displays a total of only 1/2" or 1" tall,
depending on the display mode?
Wayne
Something around that size yes (played with one but not here yet to
verify). But that brings up another issue not mentioned.
Most rigs sit on a table for easy access by the operator hand. That
location does allow comfortable continuous viewing of the display for
long term, even if the bale tips the radio up (for that it should be eye
level). One can equate this to the KX3 on a tabletop. The 7300 display
is a cute feature that should have had an external video out port. [A
single antenna port is another shortcoming for HF/6M operations.]
But that brings up a feature of the 7300; for $100 more (the one time
expense of software shared with many other Icom radios) the display can
be seen on a computer screen and the waterfall can be separate to the
display. In fact the waterfall can be moved to a second computer screen
while running the control software on the primary screen. The other
added costs here are the computer and second screen, not trivial but
ballpark of the P3 with SVGA and monitor. [One can use a sound card and
the IQ from the KX3 too, cheaper still.]
I like a filled toolbox and Elecraft is clearly my favorite brand. For
home, I use the entire K3 line with reasonable DX success (272 entities
worked from a dipole over the last few years). It's a well integrated
collection that plays EXTREMELY well. While it isn't 'cheap' it is well
worth the expense and I won't give it up (well maybe shift to a K3S
later but for now no).
While I'd love to duplicate the home station in the RV (sometimes as
brutal traveling conditions as many DXpeditions), it's more practical
(because of antenna limitations, weight, space and budget) to use
something else. I considered the K3S/100 for the home station and
moving the (stripped down) K3/100 with tuner to the RV. I looked at the
KX3, PX3 and the amp (or even another amp brand). I looked at other
brands too. The end goal is a decent, basic 100 watt radio that was low
budget for FD and portable use with ability to use nearly anything for
the antenna.
The IC-7300 ($1425) with the AH-4 ($239) tuner (matches nearly any 23'+
wire 80-6M and if enough wire or near resonance for 160M, there too)
compares to a K3S/100 with tuner for just above half the cost. Of course
there are other options, brands etc. But unless something negative
appears suddenly from the folks using them (i.e. if it barely meets
transmitter cleanliness, horrendous key clicks) makes the Icom package
hard to beat for a portable 100 watt second station (RV) given the
current prices. For that environment, I'd rather beat up a cheaper
radio in the RV than one that costs more. So it meets the needs; it's
the correct tool for my need.
[If the antenna is resonant, the internal tuner can be used; another
7300 feature is that at half power, the tuner is rated for 10:1 mismatch.]
I don't expect the stellar K3 performance from the 7300; it's NOT
Elecraft. However, I expect it to be more than 'adequate' and on the
very rare occasion that I'm the DX, it will be fine. It may well have
to be Elecraft on the other end to complete that QSO, we'll see. :-)
If it turns out to be a poor choice, I can sell it at a slight loss or
(more likely) I can put it in my kids place for his use and I'll operate
it remotely. In any case, it's fun to play.
73,
Rick wa6nhc
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