Congrats on the K3 decision. I have S/N 919 and it has been a joy to use and upgrade over the past 2 years. Here are my opinions on things that might be interesting for your K3 station.
Power Supply: Astron RS-35A (no meters - the K3 can display the voltage and current). I got a good deal from R&L Electronics. http://www.randl.com/shop/index.shtml Mount the transformer on rubber insulators and keep it under the table to minimize the audible (not electrical) hum. If you can, use only half of the supplied power cable length to minimize voltage drop while transmitting. Nothing is wrong with using the whole cable as supplied by Elecraft but I saved a few tenths of a volt by making it shorter. All-Band Antenna: Cobra Ultralite from www.k1jek.com Buy a Balun Designs Tuner balun Model #4124 from http://www.balundesigns.com/servlet/the-Tuner-Baluns/Categories and work all bands 160m to 6m with one antenna. This balun does not get hot and has very good balance. The K3 (and K2) tuner remembers the settings from band to band so it is easy to QSY. You have to try it to appreciate how convenient this is. Of course, it is not a beam on a tower, but it allows for good QSOs on all bands. Filters: The main source of selectivity in the K3 is the DSP. It is very good all by itself. But one of the greatest features of the K3 architecture is the roofing filter concept. They protect the DSP from overloading on very strong signals. You can choose the optional filters at any time. If you are mainly going to operate SSB, then choosing no or one optional filter at purchase time isn’t a bad idea. Speakers: Buy a pair of small, un-powered bookshelf speakers – the ones with a 3 or 4 inch speaker in them. Best Buy is one source. Here is a sample of some model numbers that have been posted here: Sony B-1000 bookshelf speakers KLH 970A at Sears Insignia bookshelf speakers Model: IS-SP3WAY SKU: 7314523 at best buy. I bought a pair of Tivoli audio speakers that match the Model One radio. They sound great. However, I bought them reasonably from the clearance center which I do not see anymore. The K3 has plenty of audio power available so amplified speakers are not needed and might be prone to RFI. Microphone I am a CW operator so I will be watching other people’s recommendations for a mike. I bought my K3 with the FM, AM, 2.7, 500, and 200 Hz filters along with the general-coverage option and ATU. I added the sub-receiver after a year. It really helps when working a DX station in the split mode. 73, John W2XS -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Purchase-Recommendations-tp4682401p4682906.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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
