One thing the other posters have not mentioned (probably not being SSB types) is a narrow filter for SSB. I have the 1.8 kHz 8-pole filter, and it is amazing. You do have to reduce the hi-cut a bit to center the voice in the narrower passband (an FC of 1.05 is about ideal for most male voices). What you get is remarkable immunity from overload by extremely strong, close-in signals (providing of course that they aren't actually splattering, which you really can't do anything about). For SSB contest work, this filter is a must. If you don't work SSB much and/or aren't at all interested in SSB contesting/DXing, then you can probably skip it. But for me it's been a terrific addition.
Bill W5WVO -------------------------------------------------- From: "John W2XS" <jm...@optonline.net> Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 2:28 PM To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Want to buy a K3 > > You will get many opinions on this. Here's mine. I am primarily a CW > operator but I like to listen to AM BCB and Shortwave stations. My > antenna > is a multi-band Cobra Ultralite fed with ladder line and a Balun Designs > 4:1 > Tuner Balun. > > 1. KAT3 Tuner. If you have matched, coax-fed antennas, then you may not > need this. But it is a great addition to those of us with multi-band > antennas. It remembers the settings on small segments of each band which > is > incredibly convenient for QSYing, especially on 160m. > > 2. KBPF3 General Coverage Filter. If you stick only to the ham bands, > then > you may not need this. But it was on my "must-have" list (as was the > KAT3). > I have all 100 memories filled with short-wave and AM BCB stations all > over > the frequency spectrum. I've been listening to Radio China and Radio Cairo > a > lot lately. > > 3. KPA3 100W Amplifier. Many people start out with the 10W option. I > have > had a lot of success with the K2 at 10W. But I wanted the K3 to be my > "QRO" > rig as it replaced a Kenwood TS-930S (which is a fine but aging rig). > > 4. KRX3 Sub receiver. I added this after a year and find it is incredible > for working split-frequency DX stations. I cannot see ever going back to > the "push the TF Set" button days to try and figure out where the heck the > DX station is listening. If you are not a DXer, or don't care about > diversity reception, etc, then you may not need this. > > 5. Filters. This was (and is) a hot topic. But I stand by my initial > decision, which was: > > A. 200 and 500 Hz 5-pole filters. There was an early posting that said > that > only the first 30 dB of slope is critical, and that a 5-pole filter would > be > more than enough. I went with that, and am happy. There probably is some > (small and subtle?) difference between the 5-pole and 8-pole performance, > but the main purpose of a roofing filter is to prevent the DSP (the main > selectivity in the rig) from overloading. Signals are generally weak right > now, but will start to get stronger as conditions improve. It is amazing, > though, to crank that knob down to 500 and then to 200 and know that there > is no chance for any out-of-bandpass signal to get through. > > B. 2.7 kHz SSB filter. This comes standard. This is the only filter that > I > have in the sub receiver right now. I based that decision on wanting to > hear > a wide bandpass most of the time to hear the station that the DX is > working. > > C. AM filter. This is a little bit disappointing to me as I thought that > I > would use this a lot. But I almost never use it. Unless you are > interested > in AM transmission or ESSB transmission, you might skip this one. > > D. FM filter. This is the one that I use for all my AM listening. I wish > they offered a less-expensive filter for receiving only. > > You can always buy the minimum configuration now and add later. A real big > advantage of the K3 over most other rigs today is the roofing filter > concept, and signals will be getting stronger as conditions improve, so > think about getting at least one or two optional roofing filters to start > with. > > Good luck and 73, > > John W2XS > > > What elective boards should I consider purchasing to enhance the > functionality of the K3. > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/Want-to-buy-a-K3-tp4287275p4288261.html > Sent from the [K3] 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ 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
