Re: [Elecraft] New K3 on the air
David is THE MAN. He is incredible. Without his help I would have purchased way more stuff than my skill level will support. He told me exactly what I needed, and (more importantly) what I didn't. Really helped me a lot--and then he recommended I sign on the the Reflector and ask for additional input. His advice was spot-on as it turns out, and my kit shipped today... You certainly won't see any complaints from me about Elecraft's tech support, thus far. TB From: jkhoo...@rockisland.com Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:59:44 -0700 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] New K3 on the air I just finished my build of K3 #6884 and I am delighted.It's a 100W model with standard filter and a DVR added. David at Elecraft support was very helpful. The build process was so much fun that I want like to build another Elecraft kit. I am enjoying listening to and using this radio! I really like the AFX feature both with two speakers and with the headphones. Still a lot to learn. 73, Hoop K9QJS San Juan Island, WA __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Right...good points. I ordered the module needed to support either the P3 or the LP-PAN, but I didn't make the final decision just yet. But still, the LP-PAN wouldn't be a bad way to go for less money, and then just add the monitor to another video card. The monitor would be needed for the P3 anyway, and I have an extra video card. So a guy might just try it with the LP-PAN at first, and then upgrade to the P3 later, if the spirit moves him... Thanks for the post. TB Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:17:17 -0700 From: ke...@roadrunner.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 KF9QL wrote [...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de KF9QL One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, I was blind and now I see. The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very smooth and intuitive. I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very pleased with my K3 - P3 setup! 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI K1, K3, P3 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564357.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Dwight (NS9I) showed me his LP-PAN set-up this past week, and it's very nice indeed. I would have absolutely no problem going with that either. I was advised by David at Elecraft that the K3 module needed (I forgot the part number) is needed regardless if you go with the LP-PAN or the P3 itself...so I figured that I really couldn't go wrong either way. So I just ordered the module for the K3 and will install it. I have a Mackie 1640 Onyx firewire sound board, and that will work just fine as a sound interface. So either way, I'm good. I just have bigger fish to fry right now, with the radio itself and then installing a zero-five 30' flag pole antenna in the yard and running the coax and ground radial system. The P3 vs LP-PAN contest will have to wait a couple months, lol. The P3 looks brilliant though, with that external monitor. Very impressive indeed! TB Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:58:12 -0700 From: georgefrit...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 Yesterday I had a personal demo at Elecraft by Paul, their P3 engineer of the P3 SVGA. All I have to say is WOW Why would anybody, with a K3, consider anything else. George, W6GF Love my 2 K3s and my KX3 S/N 0123 From: Gary K9GS garyk...@wi.rr.com To: Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 10:41 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 Hello Tom, I went back and forth on this toobuy a P3 and SVGA adapter or an LP-Pan. I finally decided to go the P3 route for several reasons: 1) It's self contained and I don't have to tie up the shack computer running another application. I already have two monitors on the shack PC and screen real estate is already an issue sometimes. Putting LP-Pan into that mix just complicates things too much. 2) The LP-Pan requires a high end sound card for maximum performance. I'd have to add the cost of that into the equation. 3) My shack computer is more than adequate for ham radio purposes, logging program, telnet for packetcluster, etc. If I went the LP-Pan route, however, I'd probably need to upgrade the computer. That's a big additional expense and headache just to use the LP-Pan. If you throw digital modes into the mix, say for a RTTY contest, you're putting a lot of processing burden on one computer. 4) Several friends have K3's and P3's and they rave about themthe integration with the K3 is flawless. So, I plan on buying a P3, SVGA adapter and a big dedicated monitor in the near future. In the end you have to decide and do what's best for your particular situation. On 10/20/2012 11:10 AM, tom betka wrote: Right...good points. I ordered the module needed to support either the P3 or the LP-PAN, but I didn't make the final decision just yet. But still, the LP-PAN wouldn't be a bad way to go for less money, and then just add the monitor to another video card. The monitor would be needed for the P3 anyway, and I have an extra video card. So a guy might just try it with the LP-PAN at first, and then upgrade to the P3 later, if the spirit moves him... Thanks for the post. TB Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:17:17 -0700 From: ke...@roadrunner.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 KF9QL wrote [...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de KF9QL One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, I was blind and now I see. The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very smooth and intuitive. I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very pleased with my K3 - P3 setup! 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI K1, K3, P3 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564357.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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Thanks to all who responded to my thread earlier this week. With your help (especially Dwight, NS9I whose incredible shack I visited the other day), and after a few conversations with David Shoaf at Elecraft, I have decided on a K3. I finalized and placed the order today for the K3/100 unit, along with the internal antenna tuner and the IF module so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. All that is left now is to arrange transfer of the funds, and the thing should get shipped to me next week...with luck. I have a few things to do on my end anyway, as I don't even have an antenna mounted yet. So it will be a couple weeks before I am on the air anyway--but I'll get there soon enough. I have waited 8-10 years to get back into HAM radio, so another couple of weeks isn't the end of the world by any means. On another note, I recently received a set of the Gordon West Extra Class course materials, and have started studying for the upgrade. I've been studying electronics for the past month or two anyway, so with any luck I'll get prepared for the Extra class upgrade by the end of the year as well. Anyway, just wanted to again say thanks for all the opinions rendered by you folks. This newsgroup (reflector) is an excellent resource, and I plan to keep hanging out and learning! TB73, de KF9QL __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
I think that paddle might be affordable as well. Once I get the radio up and going with an antenna here, then that would be the next step. The stuff I was talking about was a paddle from Elecraft, and a couple of the other filters as recommended on their site. I could indeed afford the antenna tuner and the 100w amp in the initial purchase, although not much more than that right now. But I think the list I provided would be a good start, although I would try to add a 2m module and a P3 in 2013. Thanks for the post. TB Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:39:37 +1100 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 From: vk2...@gmail.com To: tcbe...@hotmail.com CC: phys...@mac.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Hi Tom, What are this CW stuff you are talking about below? If it is narrow roofing filters for CW, then I think you can definitely leave these off until later, and just rely on the K3 DSP filtering for now. I think the only thing you really need to add to a basic K3 in order to do CW is a paddle. I suggest the Bencher BY-1 is a good entry-level paddle that is inexpensive but works FB. By adding the 100W amp now, it will be easier to make contacts and build your CW skills. If you are thinking of getting a K3, then grab a copy of Fred Cady's ebook on the K3 from Lulu (it is cheap, especially if you use one of the readily available discount vouchers). 73, Matt VK2ACL __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Pacificon Interview
This video doesn't work for me. YouTube is saying that the video has been removed. TB KF9QL From: marin...@gmail.com Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:40:57 -0700 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Pacificon Interview Over Saturday and Sunday at Pacificon I interviewed some well known members of the ham community (Elecraft). I asked them questions that they've never been asked before (in their lives) and got some interesting answers. If you enjoy the video, please share it with your ham clubs and friends, http://youtu.be/LPz7KShvtVM 73 Rem K6BBQ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Yea, I think the sentiment has been pretty overwhelming that the extra $450 would be money very well-spent at this point. So that's a given it seems... Thanks for the post. TB From: bw...@fastmail.fm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:57:20 -0700 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 Hi Tom, I'm still running a barefoot K2 (cw only) with an amp I can add on when needed. After reading your last post (below) I agree with you that is sounds like good logic to outfit yourself with a radio that you can immediately have fun with. So the SSB mode and additional CW mode sounds like it would support that well. On the question of whether to have more than QRP wattage, I can only relate that I love to see the K2 working a station barefoot. However, there are those times when I've connected with a station that I'm really excited about, and that station is struggling to get reliable copy. Its wonderful at times like that to be able to flip a switch and bring up my signal. I had just that situation the other night and the station thanked me for turning on the amp. It might set your wallet back a little on the temporary. But when you have it, you may be glad you opted for the 100-watts up front. :) Duane - N1BBR Message: 13 Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:27:13 -0500 From: tom betka tcbe...@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 To: phys...@mac.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: snt118-w52fab9867910fe313113e5a1...@phx.gbl Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Thanks Phil... I agree that the K3 does indeed seem like the way to go at this point, and the extra $$ is probably money well-spent. But that leaves me with another dilemma...how to outfit the K3? Here's the basic order I came up with today. After talking David at Elecraft, I added the 100w power amplifier which kicks price up $450. But my question...is that really needed at first. I guess David's point (which seemed very valid when we talked) was that I should spend the extra money on the 100w amp, instead of some stuff for CW that I was going to opt for instead. I have never really practiced much CW to be honest, and would like to learn it. However David advised that it would be more important to get phone up running, and working well--and THEN add on CW in the future. After considering his advice more today I think it's very sound indeed--and therefore was probably looking at this build list: Elecraft K3 item# item descriptionunit price-K3/100 K3 100W Xcvr. (Modular Kit) $1999.95(10w = 1549.95)KUSB Univ. Ser Bus Adapt. $39.95KXSER K144XV Serial Cable free MH3 MH3 Hand Mic$59.95 KAT3Internal Tuner $299.95=== TOTAL $2399.80 (10w = $1949.80) Although it's a bit more than I was planning to spend initially, the 100-watt amp is an affordable add-on in the initial build. So it would be do-able. For comparison, if I were to go with a KX3 and leave off the CW components, the gear would come in at just under $1350--but of course that doesn't include a 100-watt amplifier, as they are not yet available for that radio. So it really isn't an apples-to-apples comparison at all...unless you simply consider the 10-watt K3 build. In that case it would be about $600 more for the K3, and I think it's been well-established that this extra money would be well-spent given that this would be my only HF rig. Anyway, I'll hopefully be looking at Duane's K3 tomorrow if all goes well. Then I can make the final decision after that, and get moving. Thanks again to everyone for the advice. It's very reassuring to draw on the wealth of experience that's so obvious in the users here. Tom -- bw...@fastmail.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Hi Duane, Yes, I agree about the 100-watt amplifier option. A guy wouldn't have to use it if it wasn't needed, but if it is needed it will sure be nice to have it. So it indeed seems to be a prudent investment at this point, even if it adds more to the initial cost than I initially planned. I guess it also saves the trouble of adding it in later... Thanks for the post. TB From: bw...@fastmail.fm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:57:20 -0700 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3 Hi Tom, I'm still running a barefoot K2 (cw only) with an amp I can add on when needed. After reading your last post (below) I agree with you that is sounds like good logic to outfit yourself with a radio that you can immediately have fun with. So the SSB mode and additional CW mode sounds like it would support that well. On the question of whether to have more than QRP wattage, I can only relate that I love to see the K2 working a station barefoot. However, there are those times when I've connected with a station that I'm really excited about, and that station is struggling to get reliable copy. Its wonderful at times like that to be able to flip a switch and bring up my signal. I had just that situation the other night and the station thanked me for turning on the amp. It might set your wallet back a little on the temporary. But when you have it, you may be glad you opted for the 100-watts up front. :) Duane - N1BBR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
Thanks Phil... I agree that the K3 does indeed seem like the way to go at this point, and the extra $$ is probably money well-spent. But that leaves me with another dilemma...how to outfit the K3? Here's the basic order I came up with today. After talking David at Elecraft, I added the 100w power amplifier which kicks price up $450. But my question...is that really needed at first. I guess David's point (which seemed very valid when we talked) was that I should spend the extra money on the 100w amp, instead of some stuff for CW that I was going to opt for instead. I have never really practiced much CW to be honest, and would like to learn it. However David advised that it would be more important to get phone up running, and working well--and THEN add on CW in the future. After considering his advice more today I think it's very sound indeed--and therefore was probably looking at this build list: Elecraft K3 item# item descriptionunit price-K3/100 K3 100W Xcvr. (Modular Kit) $1999.95(10w = 1549.95)KUSB Univ. Ser Bus Adapt.$39.95KXSER K144XV Serial Cable freeMH3 MH3 Hand Mic$59.95 KAT3Internal Tuner $299.95=== TOTAL $2399.80 (10w = $1949.80) Although it's a bit more than I was planning to spend initially, the 100-watt amp is an affordable add-on in the initial build. So it would be do-able. For comparison, if I were to go with a KX3 and leave off the CW components, the gear would come in at just under $1350--but of course that doesn't include a 100-watt amplifier, as they are not yet available for that radio. So it really isn't an apples-to-apples comparison at all...unless you simply consider the 10-watt K3 build. In that case it would be about $600 more for the K3, and I think it's been well-established that this extra money would be well-spent given that this would be my only HF rig. Anyway, I'll hopefully be looking at Duane's K3 tomorrow if all goes well. Then I can make the final decision after that, and get moving. Thanks again to everyone for the advice. It's very reassuring to draw on the wealth of experience that's so obvious in the users here. Tom 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
