Hi all. New K3 #2717 here, and thought you old timers might be amused, and you yet-to-be old timers might be interested in the rig's 1st impressions.
I ordered on Monday, and it arrived in 7 days last Monday, a full week ahead of when I expected it. I would say it took working on and with it all week to finally get things under control and feeling very familiar. Today I even had a chance to hook it up with N1MM and poke around the DX CW contest at 3AM. Yes, my sleep patterns have changes since the K3's arrival. I run a compromise roof antenna, and prepared for the K3's arrival with a 9' vertical wire in the corner of the shack for the 2nd receiver Diversity receive. That's working really well. Even with the marginal setup, I can hear the propagation switching from ear to ear. I think that's what I like best. I have been doing A/B same antenna comparisons between my old FT897 and the K3, and the DX contest was a perfect opportunity for testing with weak signals repeating CQ over and over. At first I was surprised to find the FT897 receiving quite well. In fact strong signals come through much louder on the FT897's AGC. Most weak signals were present on both rigs. Now I see (hear) the difference. On the FT897 they're there, but I can not copy. Seems muddled, and perhaps losing just enough dits here and there to be confusing. On the K3 weak signals are still weak signals, but the DSP brings them through sharper with less noise, and the copy is OK. It's the difference between making or breaking the QSO. I'm sure most on this list already knew that, but I didn't. If there's a signal to receive at all, it can be done. I think it's what I like best. My roof antenna starts right out of the tuner, through walls and ceilings to the roof where it stretches out for 170'. The 2nd receiver vertical indoor wire is right next to the feed point. I was only getting light (compared to loud at times when I really had things screwed up) relay noise from the K3 on 80M. I ran a 20' radial off the indoor antenna's tuner, and the relay noise is gone. That's luck, and a good sign that all things are fixable with enough wire. The Tune feature is really sweet, actually showing the SWR numbers at low power. The keyer memory is fantastic, and fills in information for 50% of most QSO content. This is my 1st QSK machine, and it's silent and great. Let me just say I like what every knob and button does. And I've yet to try phone and see what awaits me there. I am happy. I think that's what I like best. Now if someone would recommend very comfortable headphones to replace the $15 jobbie that got at Walgreens, I would be even happier. 73, Wayne WA9VEE
______________________________________________________________ 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
