Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

Well said, that is entirely in the spirit of ham radio.  Hams helping 
hams!  May that not be forgotten - ever.


We have many stories that indicate that we do just that.  I hope that 
spirit never dies out.


If I may share my early ham days, I was "taken in" by the local ham club 
- a group of less than 20 members in a small town in Ohio.  They and 
their counsel got me started, and analyzed my problems with the first 
transmitter that I built.  I cannot repay them directly because most of 
them are SK, but I can pay back to the amateur community at large in 
remembrance for what those hams did for me.  Their encouragement led me 
to a BSEE education and a career in electronics and design that I would 
never have anticipated as a teenager.


I am not one to sell the gear I have purchased over the years, so
I have loaned some of my excess transceivers to new hams just to get 
them on the air, particularly on HF.


I do not regularly sell my radios - I leave that to my heirs, so I have 
some of my older gear available for long term loan - of course that is 
normally to locals, but I could consider someone particularly needy in a 
more remote location if I were asked.


So for an HF beginner, look around at your local ham clubs and see if 
there is someone who has excess gear that can be available to use until 
you can make up your mind about the ultimate station that you would like 
to put together.


Make no mistake, I believe that an Elecraft station is great for 
beginners and older hams alike, but if you have questions about what 
will be "best for you", that takes a bit of experience to determine what 
you will really need.


As I have stated before, a KX-Line will do most everything a new ham can 
want for HF operations (and more), so I don't think you can go wrong 
with an Elecraft station as your first ham radio investment - it is an 
investment that can last you for many years and serve you well in the 
meantime.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/13/2017 11:34 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

I agree. Get a rig and get on the air.

In some ways it's sad that Ham rigs have become so sophisticated and cost
enough that most Hams need to think in terms of resale value.

There is a Ham I used to chew the rig with on 40 CW regularly who saved from
his small fixed income for a years to replace his HW-8 with a new 100 watt
rig. Dang! He was happy with the new rig. Then I worked him again a few
weeks later and he was back on the HW-8. I asked him why. It seems he knew a
Ham nearby who was on also a small income and lived alone. His  rig died and
the cost to repair was prohibitive. Rather than leave him off the air my
friend made him a gift of his new rig and dusted off his old HW-8 again.

I also had a HW-8 for which I had built an outboard 25-watt amplifier (the
HW-8 ran about 2 watts barefoot). I had since built a K2 running 10 watts,
so I sent him my outboard amp for the HW-8.

That's the Ham Radio I was raised with. We often swapped stories about how
when we had a need others had given us stuff over the years or passed it on
very cheaply. It's an aspect of the hobby I try hard to see continue.


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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I agree. Get a rig and get on the air. 

In some ways it's sad that Ham rigs have become so sophisticated and cost
enough that most Hams need to think in terms of resale value. 

There is a Ham I used to chew the rig with on 40 CW regularly who saved from
his small fixed income for a years to replace his HW-8 with a new 100 watt
rig. Dang! He was happy with the new rig. Then I worked him again a few
weeks later and he was back on the HW-8. I asked him why. It seems he knew a
Ham nearby who was on also a small income and lived alone. His  rig died and
the cost to repair was prohibitive. Rather than leave him off the air my
friend made him a gift of his new rig and dusted off his old HW-8 again. 

I also had a HW-8 for which I had built an outboard 25-watt amplifier (the
HW-8 ran about 2 watts barefoot). I had since built a K2 running 10 watts,
so I sent him my outboard amp for the HW-8. 

That's the Ham Radio I was raised with. We often swapped stories about how
when we had a need others had given us stuff over the years or passed it on
very cheaply. It's an aspect of the hobby I try hard to see continue.

73, Ron AC7AC


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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Dan Baker]

I have to agree. *Get a rig and get on the air.* We have all been through
plenty of rigs. There is no substitute for experience. You have to use them
to lose them. Or keep them. You don't really know that woman until you make
her your own, and get her under your roof. Same with a radio. Don't try
this wife's, it will end you ham career. Any radio you buy from Elecraft
will be a very nice rig, and have a good resale value if you want to try
something different.

73,   Dan KM6CQ
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Kevin Cozens]

On 2017-04-13 05:26 PM, Eric J wrote:

Best advice so far, Lynn. To the OP: Get something, then GET ON THE AIR.

[snip]

You'll know what you want out of the next rig.

Good used rigs aren't expensive, and if you buy wisely, you can get most
if not all your money back for the next rig.


I missed the original posting. Did the person who is looking for a rig say 
anything about their budget? The K3 may be a very good radio but I wouldn't 
be inclined to reccommend a multi-thousand dollar radio as a first rig 
unless the person has money to burn.


I would suggest the person look for a second hand radio that would be closer 
to the $1,000 or under price range. If they want to stick with a radio that 
is less likely to have problems they could pick up one of the K2 or K2/100 
radios that come up for sale now and then on this list.


--
Cheers!

Kevin.

http://www.ve3syb.ca/   |"Nerds make the shiny things that distract
Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172  | the mouth-breathers, and that's why we're
| powerful!"
#include  | --Chris Hardwick
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Clay Autery]

Not for 1 single solitary second have I been sorry for buying a K3S/P3
as my first rig...  I will never let it go.

Buy the best you can find, and buy once.

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MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 4/13/2017 5:43 PM, George Thornton wrote:
> I have never been dissatisfied with any Elecraft purchase.

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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Walter Underwood]

I think there were plenty of hints. I expect that was a TS-2000, though the 
price sounds like a good deal.

My first rig was an IC-756 (non-Pro). A pretty good radio, really, and totally 
sold me on the spectrum display. I think the used price on those is depressed 
because the LCD display had reliability problems and is too expensive to 
replace. But…$600 on eBay for an IC-756? Not bad at all. That will give a ham a 
taste of a modern rig, with NR, spectrum display, etc. Dang, an IC-703 goes for 
the same price. That’s a sweet QRP rig, but for a shack, I’d go with the IC-756.

But if you really want an IC-703, talk to me. I have an early non-plus (no 6m) 
version with a CW filter. Lovely rig, but it is gathering dust since I got the 
KX3.

wunder
Walter Underwood
wun...@wunderwood.org
http://observer.wunderwood.org/  (my blog)


> On Apr 13, 2017, at 3:57 PM, Phil Wheeler  wrote:
> 
> Re "I am not naming radio names.": Ah, come on George -- give us some hints 
> so we can guess :-)
> 
> Phil W7OX
> 
> On 4/13/17 3:43 PM, George Thornton wrote:
>> My experience was different.
>> 
>> My first HF radio was one of those that had all the features including 
>> VHF/UHF.  I thought it was a good buy at under $2000 because it was so 
>> versatile.   I am not naming radio names.
>> 
>> The problem is the receiver on that rig was absolutely horrible.  As a new 
>> HF operator in an urban location, I already had a handicap because I did not 
>> have a top quality antenna.  End result was the HF operation on that rig 
>> proved mostly useless.  I ended up selling the rig after about two years, 
>> complete waste of money.
>> 
>> I would say that, looking at Sherwood Engineering test data, any of those 
>> rigs in the first 10-20 is going to perform more than adequately for casual 
>> use.
>> 
>> New HAMS often waste a lot of money on purchases they later regret.
>> 
>> I have never been dissatisfied with any Elecraft purchase.
>> 
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Eric J
>> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2017 2:26 PM
>> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig
>> 
>> Best advice so far, Lynn. To the OP: Get something, then GET ON THE AIR.
>> Nobody learns from reading specs and opinions. It isn't the way to find
>> your first rig, and probably wasn't the way you picked your first
>> girlfriend. Play the field. The learning starts when you take the
>> plunge. You'll know what you want out of the next rig.
>> 
>> Good used rigs aren't expensive, and if you buy wisely, you can get most
>> if not all your money back for the next rig.
>> 
>> Eric
>> 
>> KE6US
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 4/13/2017 12:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>>> 
>>> But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean
>>> semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.
>> 
>> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] ALC and JTDX

[Samuel Cartinhour]

Don: thank you very much for your hints. I am using DATA A and LINE IN.
Yes, it is strange that JTDX behaves differently, especially since it is
based largely on the WSJT-X code base.

Jim: I was interested in JTDX because of claims I had seen concerning its
ability to extract additional decodes under crowded conditions (for
JT-65). However, when I posted my questions here, I was unaware of the
serious attribution and licensing issues. Maybe these need to be discussed
more widely. In any event, thank you for bringing them to my attention.
Until the matter is resolved to Joe¹s satisfaction, I will not be using
JTDX. I have had excellent performance with WSJT-X v.1.7 (and lots of
fun). I may download a compiler and give the experimental versions a try.

Sam W2SNX


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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Phil Wheeler]

Re "I am not naming radio names.": Ah, come on 
George -- give us some hints so we can guess :-)


Phil W7OX

On 4/13/17 3:43 PM, George Thornton wrote:

My experience was different.

My first HF radio was one of those that had all the features including VHF/UHF. 
 I thought it was a good buy at under $2000 because it was so versatile.   I am 
not naming radio names.

The problem is the receiver on that rig was absolutely horrible.  As a new HF 
operator in an urban location, I already had a handicap because I did not have 
a top quality antenna.  End result was the HF operation on that rig proved 
mostly useless.  I ended up selling the rig after about two years, complete 
waste of money.

I would say that, looking at Sherwood Engineering test data, any of those rigs 
in the first 10-20 is going to perform more than adequately for casual use.

New HAMS often waste a lot of money on purchases they later regret.

I have never been dissatisfied with any Elecraft purchase.

From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Eric J
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2017 2:26 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

Best advice so far, Lynn. To the OP: Get something, then GET ON THE AIR.
Nobody learns from reading specs and opinions. It isn't the way to find
your first rig, and probably wasn't the way you picked your first
girlfriend. Play the field. The learning starts when you take the
plunge. You'll know what you want out of the next rig.

Good used rigs aren't expensive, and if you buy wisely, you can get most
if not all your money back for the next rig.

Eric

KE6US



On 4/13/2017 12:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:


But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean
semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.





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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[George Thornton]

My experience was different.

My first HF radio was one of those that had all the features including VHF/UHF. 
 I thought it was a good buy at under $2000 because it was so versatile.   I am 
not naming radio names.

The problem is the receiver on that rig was absolutely horrible.  As a new HF 
operator in an urban location, I already had a handicap because I did not have 
a top quality antenna.  End result was the HF operation on that rig proved 
mostly useless.  I ended up selling the rig after about two years, complete 
waste of money.

I would say that, looking at Sherwood Engineering test data, any of those rigs 
in the first 10-20 is going to perform more than adequately for casual use.

New HAMS often waste a lot of money on purchases they later regret.

I have never been dissatisfied with any Elecraft purchase.

From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Eric J
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2017 2:26 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

Best advice so far, Lynn. To the OP: Get something, then GET ON THE AIR.
Nobody learns from reading specs and opinions. It isn't the way to find
your first rig, and probably wasn't the way you picked your first
girlfriend. Play the field. The learning starts when you take the
plunge. You'll know what you want out of the next rig.

Good used rigs aren't expensive, and if you buy wisely, you can get most
if not all your money back for the next rig.

Eric

KE6US



On 4/13/2017 12:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>
>
> But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean
> semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.

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gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.com


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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Eric J]

Best advice so far, Lynn. To the OP: Get something, then GET ON THE AIR. 
Nobody learns from reading specs and opinions. It isn't the way to find 
your first rig, and probably wasn't the way you picked your first 
girlfriend. Play the field. The learning starts when you take the 
plunge. You'll know what you want out of the next rig.

Good used rigs aren't expensive, and if you buy wisely, you can get most 
if not all your money back for the next rig.

Eric

KE6US



On 4/13/2017 12:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>
>
> But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean 
> semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.

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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] ALC and JTDX

[Jim Brown]

On Thu,4/13/2017 12:13 PM, Samuel Cartinhour wrote:

I recently decided to try JTDX (v 1.7.0), a derivative of the popular WSJT-X 
software by Joe Taylor.


Why would you want to do that? WSJT in all of its forms is K1JT's 
invention, the code is written by a team of programmers under Joe's 
direction, and is under constant development to improve its performance 
and incorporate new digital modes optimized for different purposes.


The latest released version (fully compiled, ready to run) was released 
about six months ago, and I'm seeing greatly improved decoding 
(occasionally as low as -28 dB) and even two decodes on the same tone 
frequency! In-progress versions can be downloaded from code form, but 
must be complied by the user. No fun unless you're a computer geek. :)


This is what K1JT wrote on the WSJT Developer's email reflector a month 
or so ago to the JTDX author.


Jim K9YC

-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

While I have your attention, I must remind you of obligations you
assumed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) when you copied the
source code of WSJT-X, made some changes, and renamed it as
"JTDX vXX.X ... by UA3DJY".

1. Compliance with GPL requires that a derivative work (such as JTDX)
must be licensed in a compatible manner.  Just saying "It is open source
software distributed under the GPL v3 license" is not enough.

Apparently a significant fraction of JTDX distribution takes place from
the web sitehttp://jt65-dx.com/download/wsjtx-ua3djy.html  .

2. I see nothing on that web site mentioning any license requirement.

3. I see a JTDX screen shot in which the main window title is given as
"WSJT-X v1.7.0-devel JTDX v16.6 ... by UA3DJY."  We have never released
a program called "WSJT-X v1.7.0-devel", so I would not expect to see
such a designation on a derivative work.

4. Describing JTDX as "by UA3DJY" is surely misleading, and a violation
of the copyrights on our code.  Probably >90% of code in your derivative
work was written by someone other than yourself.

6. Finally: if you were truly committed to the Free Open Source Software
(FOSS) philosophy, I would expect your development work to be organized
in a way so that can give back to, as well as take from, the amateur
software development community.  I can see no evidence that you are
doing this, for example with an open source-code repository.

-- 73, Joe, K1JT


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Re: [Elecraft] K2 for sale

[Madison Jones]

The K2 is sold pending payment. Thanks for the bandwidth.

73

Madison
W5MJ

On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 4:39 PM, Madison Jones 
wrote:

> Now that I have my KX3 successfully hooked to my SPE 1.3 amp, my late
> model 10 watt K2 [s/n 7036] is excess to my needs. This unit contains an
> I/O board and aux port, SSB/digital board, and an amplifier keying circuit
> designed and installed by Don Wilhelm W3FPR, who calibrated and aligned the
> rig about a year ago. It has been used very little since then. Non-smoking
> environment. $650 via PayPal, shipped to US postal service destinations.
>
> Madison
> W5MJ
>
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] ALC and JTDX

[Don Wilhelm]

Sam,

I don't know what is going on for certain, but are you using DATA A 
mode?  If not, you should be.  It turns off compression and sets the 
equalization flat.  What you are seeing could be the result of using SSB 
with compression turned on.


Secondly, use the LINE IN - there is likely too much gain if you are 
using the microphone input.


Then set the LINE (MIC knob) gain on the K3 to about mid-range (which 
gives more resolution than with the gain at either end of the scale) and 
then use the soundcard slider and possibly the application "power" 
control to obtain the right number of bars on the ALC meter.


It is strange that the JTDX application needs different settings than 
other soundcard data applications.  That certainly points to some 
peculiarity (or error) in the software.


73,
Don W3FPR


On 4/13/2017 3:13 PM, Samuel Cartinhour wrote:

I recently decided to try JTDX (v 1.7.0), a derivative of the popular WSJT-X 
software by Joe Taylor. I am using a K3 and an Asus u7 sound card (Windows 7). 
However, I have run into a snag with respect to ALC.

When I run WSJT-X, everything works exactly as expected. During transmission I 
easily obtain four solid ALC bars (with the fifth flickering).

The same settings do not work for JTDX. In fact, I am not able to find any 
settings (using the sound card control panel, K3 mic gain, or JTDX pwr slider) 
that provide four stable ALC bars. At many settings the ALC indicator pulses 
rapidly from 0 to a level that depends on the settings I choose. The ALC 
indicator stabilizes only if I push input levels so  that the indicator reads 6 
or 7 bars.

I have done all of the WSJT trials in test mode — I’m reluctant to send 
anything to the antenna until I figure out what I’m doing wrong.

Questions:

Has anyone on the list run JTDX on their K3 and seen this problem? If so, were 
you able to overcome it?

What is happening to make the ALC indicator pulse?

Depending on feedback here, I’ll post to the JTDX list next.

Thank you,

Sam W2SNX

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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

... and this list is a tremendous resource!

On 4/13/2017 12:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

Actually, I'd want to know something about the potential user, since my
impression of Flex is that they're a little complicated -- making the
learning curve a bit complex.

Since this is the Elecraft list, and we see deals on solid, used K3's,
that's a good recommendation.

But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean
semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.

The K3 is more radio than the typical "entry level" rig from KenYaeIco,
and one of those would be good enough.

A K3S would be the perfect second radio (until the K4 is out).

73 -- Lynn

On 4/13/2017 11:04 AM, Mike va3mw wrote:

I would only buy an HF Rig from Flex or Elecraft for the same reason.

Customer support for past or future functionality. Both talk directly
to active hams.  They listen and make changes. Quickly.

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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

Actually, I'd want to know something about the potential user, since my 
impression of Flex is that they're a little complicated -- making the 
learning curve a bit complex.


Since this is the Elecraft list, and we see deals on solid, used K3's, 
that's a good recommendation.


But if we're really talking "first radio" then any good clean 
semi-recent HF rig would do nicely.


The K3 is more radio than the typical "entry level" rig from KenYaeIco, 
and one of those would be good enough.


A K3S would be the perfect second radio (until the K4 is out).

73 -- Lynn

On 4/13/2017 11:04 AM, Mike va3mw wrote:

I would only buy an HF Rig from Flex or Elecraft for the same reason.

Customer support for past or future functionality. Both talk directly to active 
hams.  They listen and make changes. Quickly.



Mike va3mw


On Apr 13, 2017, at 9:30 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT 
 wrote:

Missed the original post, but if this is a "first" radio, well, I've noticed 
that we all seem to buy something, use it a while, learn, our interests change, we trade 
for something different.

That first choice depends a bit on what the OP wants to do (100w is probably 
important) and it's good to get something expandable, but...

Perfect is the enemy of good enough, and a solid used K3 is going to be better than 
"good enough."

73 -- Lynn


On 4/13/2017 8:58 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
Did the original poster (N7TGC) ever say he wanted to go portable? If he’s 
looking for a desktop rig, I’d start with one of the used K3 rigs that we see 
for sale on this list.

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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Bill Breeden]

I agree, the built-in spectrum displays that I have seen are slow and 
lack resolution, basically toys compared to my P3.


One of the oddest features I have seen in an entry level radio is having 
to give up the receive audio to activate the spectrum display.


73,

Bill - NA5DX


On 4/13/2017 10:59 AM, James Wilson wrote:

*Dan, *

*Th built-in displays I have seen have all been rather small*
*and lacking detail. The P3, sitting beside a K3 is, to me, a *
*perfect combination. *

*If I had to buy again, I'd say K3S and P3 is - by far - the *
*number one choice.*

*Jim - W4RKS*
*-*
*Dan Baker* km6cq at km6cq.com



I will just add a little as so not repeat anyone else. An >integrated pan
adapter into the face of the radio is much better than an >external unit.
You see the whole picture at once. An external pan adapter is ?distracting.

?. . .

Best Regards,   Dan KM6CQ

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[Elecraft] [K3] ALC and JTDX

[Samuel Cartinhour]

I recently decided to try JTDX (v 1.7.0), a derivative of the popular WSJT-X 
software by Joe Taylor. I am using a K3 and an Asus u7 sound card (Windows 7). 
However, I have run into a snag with respect to ALC.

When I run WSJT-X, everything works exactly as expected. During transmission I 
easily obtain four solid ALC bars (with the fifth flickering).

The same settings do not work for JTDX. In fact, I am not able to find any 
settings (using the sound card control panel, K3 mic gain, or JTDX pwr slider) 
that provide four stable ALC bars. At many settings the ALC indicator pulses 
rapidly from 0 to a level that depends on the settings I choose. The ALC 
indicator stabilizes only if I push input levels so  that the indicator reads 6 
or 7 bars.

I have done all of the WSJT trials in test mode — I’m reluctant to send 
anything to the antenna until I figure out what I’m doing wrong.

Questions:

Has anyone on the list run JTDX on their K3 and seen this problem? If so, were 
you able to overcome it?

What is happening to make the ALC indicator pulse?

Depending on feedback here, I’ll post to the JTDX list next.

Thank you,

Sam W2SNX
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Mike va3mw]

I would only buy an HF Rig from Flex or Elecraft for the same reason. 

Customer support for past or future functionality. Both talk directly to active 
hams.  They listen and make changes. Quickly. 



Mike va3mw

> On Apr 13, 2017, at 9:30 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT 
>  wrote:
> 
> Missed the original post, but if this is a "first" radio, well, I've noticed 
> that we all seem to buy something, use it a while, learn, our interests 
> change, we trade for something different.
> 
> That first choice depends a bit on what the OP wants to do (100w is probably 
> important) and it's good to get something expandable, but...
> 
> Perfect is the enemy of good enough, and a solid used K3 is going to be 
> better than "good enough."
> 
> 73 -- Lynn
> 
>> On 4/13/2017 8:58 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> Did the original poster (N7TGC) ever say he wanted to go portable? If he’s 
>> looking for a desktop rig, I’d start with one of the used K3 rigs that we 
>> see for sale on this list.
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

Missed the original post, but if this is a "first" radio, well, I've 
noticed that we all seem to buy something, use it a while, learn, our 
interests change, we trade for something different.


That first choice depends a bit on what the OP wants to do (100w is 
probably important) and it's good to get something expandable, but...


Perfect is the enemy of good enough, and a solid used K3 is going to be 
better than "good enough."


73 -- Lynn

On 4/13/2017 8:58 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:

Did the original poster (N7TGC) ever say he wanted to go portable? If he’s 
looking for a desktop rig, I’d start with one of the used K3 rigs that we see 
for sale on this list.

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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Walter Underwood]

Did the original poster (N7TGC) ever say he wanted to go portable? If he’s 
looking for a desktop rig, I’d start with one of the used K3 rigs that we see 
for sale on this list. 

Just yesterday, there was a 100W K3 with a 250 Hz filter for $1695. A new KX3 
can cost almost that much. Add a P3 and you are still cheaper than a KX3 + 
KXPA100.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Apr 13, 2017, at 8:23 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On Wed,4/12/2017 7:32 PM, Dan Baker wrote:
>> An integrated pan
>> adapter into the face of the radio is much better than an external unit.
>> You see the whole picture at once. An external pan adapter is distracting.
> 
> Different strokes for different folks. I'm quite happy with the P3 amd 
> P3/SVGA. I really like the flexibility of layout on my operating desk that 
> having the P3 in a separate unit that I can set alongside the radio or on top 
> of it. For my desk, it works best sitting on the left side of the top of the 
> K3. The SVGA is above the radio on a special mount that I found online.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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[Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[James Wilson]

*Dan, *

*Th built-in displays I have seen have all been rather small*
*and lacking detail. The P3, sitting beside a K3 is, to me, a *
*perfect combination. *

*If I had to buy again, I'd say K3S and P3 is - by far - the *
*number one choice.*

*Jim - W4RKS*
*-*
*Dan Baker* km6cq at km6cq.com


>I will just add a little as so not repeat anyone else. An >integrated pan
>adapter into the face of the radio is much better than an >external unit.
>You see the whole picture at once. An external pan adapter is ?distracting.
?. . .
>Best Regards,   Dan KM6CQ
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Phil Hystad]

I agree with Jim about the P3 being separate.  I have had integrated pan 
adapters before and I even have one now on my backup rig (IC-7300) and the 
battle for space is too much I think.  Separate allows the dedication of 
display space which is nice for a panadapter.

However, a KX2 or KX3 with a modified display option for a panadapter would be 
nice if it could be done well.  Of course, it would not be color coded like the 
P3 or PX3 but it would be useful for spotting signals on the band.  My Icom 706 
had a kind of very limited scan panadapter and its major failing was the visual 
display interface was not done well.  My operating style with KX2 is very 
different than my home station K-Line.

Maybe something on the lines of a signal spotter.  Of course, with my KX2 (and 
also with my former KX3) I am CW only and this feature would be nice to have.  
Yes, the KX3 has the PX3 but carrying along even that extra piece of equipment 
out into the field for portable ops is not something I would do.  I used just 
my KX3 (now KX2), LiPO3 battery, and antenna (which could be anything or my 
Budipole).

73, phil, K7PEH



> On Apr 13, 2017, at 8:23 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On Wed,4/12/2017 7:32 PM, Dan Baker wrote:
>> An integrated pan
>> adapter into the face of the radio is much better than an external unit.
>> You see the whole picture at once. An external pan adapter is distracting.
> 
> Different strokes for different folks. I'm quite happy with the P3 amd 
> P3/SVGA. I really like the flexibility of layout on my operating desk that 
> having the P3 in a separate unit that I can set alongside the radio or on top 
> of it. For my desk, it works best sitting on the left side of the top of the 
> K3. The SVGA is above the radio on a special mount that I found online.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Help me choose my first HF rig

[Jim Brown]

On Wed,4/12/2017 7:32 PM, Dan Baker wrote:

An integrated pan
adapter into the face of the radio is much better than an external unit.
You see the whole picture at once. An external pan adapter is distracting.


Different strokes for different folks. I'm quite happy with the P3 amd 
P3/SVGA. I really like the flexibility of layout on my operating desk 
that having the P3 in a separate unit that I can set alongside the radio 
or on top of it. For my desk, it works best sitting on the left side of 
the top of the K3. The SVGA is above the radio on a special mount that I 
found online.


73, Jim K9YC

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