It really depends on your needs - I would go for the FT857 rather than the FT897. The FT857 is cheaper and a better radio ergonomically when used mobile than the FT897 or the K3. It is well suited to use with repeaters on 2m and 70cm. The front end on HF is quite good, nothing like the K3 but if you have very restricted antennas, e.g. mobile, that may not matter. The inclusion of 2m and 70cm is a bonus - again performance is not exceptional but it is entirely adequate for many uses.
So - FM, Repeaters, occasional HF, listening to AM broadcast and for mobile use, go for the FT857 or FT897. VHF portable - The FT817 is great for this. Serious use on HF/6m from home. Go for the K3/100. Do not go for the K3/10 unless you have exceptional aerials or are prepared to make only very few SSB QSOs. Many HF phone operators are extremely deaf and 10W will not get you very far except on CW. Believe me, the K3 will hear much better than anything else and if you are only running 10W you can't expect the other chap running 100W with an inferior receiver to hear you as well as you hear them. If your budget is really restricted, but you want a great HF only radio you might look at the K2. Mike -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/897-vs-K3-tp3070363p3071918.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:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
