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| Reviews Summary for Elecraft K3 |
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Reviews: 162
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $1,399
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Description: ELECRAFT K3 Transceiver
High Performance • 160-6 Meters • 100 W
Dual 32bit DSP, "switched mode mixer"
Factory Assembled or No-Soldering Kit
160-6 meter ham-band coverage; optional general-coverage filters
• High-contrast, full-custom LCD with with alphanumeric text display
• 100-W or 10-W (upgradeable) models
• 32-bit I.F. DSP
• Rich I/O complement (see rear-panel drawing above)
• All modes: SSB, CW, Data, AM, FM
• Built-in PSK/TTY decode/encode allows data mode operation with or without a PC — use CW keyer paddle to send PSK/TTY too!
• High performance DDS/PLL Synthesizer with TCXO reference
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.elecraft.com
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write your own review of the Elecraft K3.
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VK2BJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2012 18:25
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Excellent Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned and operated my K3 since August 2008.
I have had zero problems with it in that time.
I mainly use cw and I appreciate the click free instantaneous QSK and excellent sidetone.
I have the 400Hz and 1000Hz filters in the main receiver and with the sub receiver with just the 1000Hz filter. Those have proved totally adequate for my purposes.
I am entirely happy with the small size and footprint of the K3 and have found no significant issues with the ergonomics.
There are a very few minor irritations such as some birdies on receive that I have not been able to eliminate but not enough to detract from the overall satisfaction rating. It is clearly a 5 and I would highly recommend the K3.
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WD9F
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2012 18:18
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Raving Fans Are Right!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been licensed 34 years. Have owned many rigs including three different SDR radios. I dragged my feet on this purchase for a long time finally putting K3 SN# 6047 on the operating table last month. Mine is optimally configured for CW and, after three weeks of heavy use, all I can say is wow! All of the raving fans are right. This is easily the best CW rig I've ever owned. Receiver sensitivity, noise floor, crystal and DSP filtering are all outstanding. Unlike some ops, I also find operation to be very intuitive and I love the dual (tap or hold) function switches. My only regret is that I didn't buy one sooner!
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YY4GMJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 8, 2012 16:49
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isn't love at first
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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First day was of doubt, really ugly, noisy receiver, ineffective NB and NR, but doing small move on controls, become best receiver i have heard, best NB combination (analog and digital) and effective on transmission and very clean, and now i see my equipment very beautiful!.
In receive mode, reducing a little HI cut to 2.4 khz, it sounds great. Any noise are filtered effectively by analog NB and another by digital NB so, all noises i have detected have been filtered by NB without affect reception quality or very little. NR is more hard to get a correct adjust, but follow recommendations of another hams, i have found good values to filter noise without be agressive.
In transmission mode, all time i get great unsolicited commentaries. Last weeks i have used a electret mic (taken of old computer) and reports are very good.
My experience was similar to the days when first years of CDs, I heard my old vinyl. Again, I've heard recently TS-950SDX, IC-756PROIII and many old radios and now they represent the vinyl of ham rigs!.
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AD4C2006
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 8, 2012 06:50
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More than three years on the air
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Yes,I have been using this great Elecraft best radio for three years and two months now,acording all my friends who know I like to test radios and none of them last on my shack for more than six months,they say the K3 is a record for me,truly in all these years with the believe that it has to be a radio that be equal or better I tried and tried but no sucess,latest radios I owned here and compared their performance were the Orion II and the IC-7600,none of them are better neither,the closest radio in performance has been the O2.
The more I use this radio the more I love it,there is nothing I can't do with it and there is no weak station within the noise level that I could not work.
This radio even I know is not a pretty radio for many users it has an unbeatable performance,perhaps the new FTDX-5000 might be better acording the Sherwood tables but I would not believe it until I put my hands on one of those.
I have tried to find a technical defect or a wrong design but I don't find any,yes at the begining they had problems with the plastic knobs and some other issues but as any other work in progress they have fixed all the problems and its becoming better and better by days,the fact to be able to upgrade the firmware is the best of this radio,every time they release a new one,its like having a new radio again.
I am not going to give details of performance because too much has been said already in this site,we all know all the good things this radio will do.
I am just another one of the more than five thousand pleased users and I hope Elecraft keep designing and building these wonderful radios.
My next radio ? None ! Only upgrade my K3 with a second receiver and have the P3.
As I always say,lets wish Elecraft a very happy and succesful new year,73 to all users.
Hector
AD4C
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W0RU
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2011 19:17
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Great Radio From A Great Company
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My first Elecraft rig was a K2 built as a kit. It is a fine radio with which I would not part. I also have used the Yaesu FT-857D and FT-847. No complaints there. I waited a while and finally took the K3 plunge. This rig is a jewel! Due to the now having Parkinson's Disease, I ordered it factory built. My favorite mode is CW. It has been a pleasure getting to know the radio with all its features. The other night I worked AA2YK on 40 meters. Ernie was running 500 milliwatts. At first I was straining to hear him calling. After tweaking the filters and DSP, we had a nice long chat. The more I get to know the K3, the more I want to operate. I have just added a hex beam for 6-20 meters and am all set for the sunspot peak. With my two dipole antennas, the internal tuner finds a good match in seconds. Several contests have been worked with satisfying results. I use N3FJP logging software and a K1EL Winkeyer with the K3. Sometimes I have lost connection but usually reestablish it in short order. The other day I used the K3 Utility to upgrade the firmware and had some issues. By posting to the reflector and emailing Elecraft support, the problem was resolved in a timely manner. I have added the general coverage receive board and have the transverter interface kit on order to get the receive antenna option. Just know that if you run into problems the folks at Elecraft and the K3 owners are standing at the ready to help you out. I like Yaesu and would like to try Ten Tec; however, my loyalty to Elecraft has brought many happy returns. I have been a ham since 1967 and an electronics technician since 1994. It is great to be an Elecrafter. Again, the K3 is a jewel of a radio.
73 es gud dx,
Dave, W0RU
K2 #3193
K3 #5253
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N3TU
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2011 12:17
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Why Can't I Get Tired Of This Radio?
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I put this radio on the air July 2008 (#1725)and so far I haven't gotten tired of it. I have been down to HRO with a credit card that that will get me any radio but can't part with my K3. It has not let me down yet and get great audio reports no matter what mic I put on it. The Sub receiver is great if your transmitting antenna is loaded with noise and using a receiving antenna at the same time on the other headphone ear piece. The filters do work great on cutting noise down but I wanted to enhance my chances of hearing by using another antenna for receive. Even without the noise at different times of the day, the SUB is a must if you can only hear them on the receive antenna and run high power on the TX antenna. Antenna restrictions yes and I am stealthy. I like the quick button for the five watt TX when I use a tuner and when I bring it to full power with the amp, the tuner is right on the money with my WM1 watt meter. It is nice to have the antenna tuner as a precaution in case the swr ever goes wrong between the amp and the radio which it did when I used to the drake. My radio has a 1.1 swr to the amp. I am not getting tired of this radio and thinking of getting the Pan Adapter. Now regarding customer service. If I have a question about anything in the menu, the technician jumps right on the phone or will return my call asap and walk me through it. I would recommend this radio highly. Get on the air first and ask any k3 owner. Listen to one before making the decision. Some K3's sound better than others and that is because people like to operate it at different menu settings. You can't go wrong. If I have a problem with it, rest assure, I will be on here to knock it down big time but so far Elecraft has done me well.
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AG6AZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 12, 2011 20:11
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Very impressed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just purchased a barely used K3 from an OM who was downsizing his large collection. For an amazingly fair price I received a fully loaded K3 and I must say my initial impressions are extremely positive. In fact I would say that the receiver is amazingly effective and its DSP, NB and the roofing filters are fantastic.
Before purchasing this unit, I have been chilling with a Yaesu FT950 and it was a good rig, however, I was not happy with the roofing filters and with some of the limitations of the receiver. It is a good rig for sure and a good value for the price but it left me wanting more. In terms of what is important to me, I have and hear a definitive difference in receive performance. The difference is stark. The K3's DSP, NB and roofing filters are awesome. I thought the DSP on the 950 was pretty good, but wow I am blown away. I made some upgrades to my 950 including microtuners and I have no intention selling it as my backup rig but I am so happy with the K3 that I cannot imagine that the 950 will get much air time.
The K3 takes time to properly learn and set up. It really is not plug and play. It takes study and planning to utilize properly. So be forewarned it does take time and study but it is well worth the time investment.
My current challenges are with integrating it with other OEMs equipment. I have a Yaesu Quadra VL1000 amp and it has no issues with integration with the K3 thanks to the custom cable I bought from Tom Wirth who is affiliated with N4ATS, Bill Grassa, and it works perfect unless i try to connect it with another piece of equipment. Integrating other equipment such as the Elecraft 6m preamp with the one ACC port has been a little difficult, but the Elecraft company is very willing to provide support and knowledge throughout the process.
In summary, the K3 is fantastic! It does require investment beyond the initial outlay and that is in learning curve. I am convert to Elecraft for sure and the receiver is the true ROI.
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NZ0T
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 2, 2011 15:03
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Still love it after over 3 years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I agree that we all like different rigs which is why I cannot understand why someone who prefers big heavy rigs would buy a great portable sized rig like the K3 and then gripe about it in a review. Not all of us have big clumsy fingers or 500 square foot ham shacks! The K3 has excellent ergonomics and an easy to use menu for those that take the time to learn how to use it. Plus nearly every aspect of the rig can be adjusted to one's preference using that menu - very few rigs have that capability. One can buy what options they want and not have to spend money (people really spend $10K on a radio?)on features they will never use.
But the Elecraft customer service is what really sets their products apart. My RF gain knob cracked Sunday. I sent an email to Elecraft at 7:15 PM Sunday night and had as answer back at 10:15 AM (8:15 Elecraft time) Monday. Not one but two new knobs were in my mailbox on Thursday - free. For a rig that is over 3 years old.
No way that would EVER happen with the "Big 3".
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K3MD
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 24, 2011 07:41
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OK... not for me
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Agree with Bruce, AB1KC.
My main rig is an IC-7800. After doing a survey review of which is the best contest rig in NCJ, and finding the K3 was highly rated, I got one loaded. The rx is great. The setup and ergonomics of the knobs are not great. Had a 2.5 to 1 SWR on 6 meters for a year and did not know it from the SWR bridge on the K3... my IC-7800 showed me the antenna was resonant at 52.5 MHz immediately.
Excellent rig, very popular the world over, but the ergonomics and dual-use buttons are not for me. Have suggested repackaging with easier buttons and knobs and a 200 watt model to the company owner.
Thought I heard some IMD, but testing at the factory showed I was wrong. It did sound like IMD on receive.
Sold the K3. Have owned K1, K2/100.
Backup contest rigs for me are now the IC-7600 and IC-765 with INRAD roofing filter.
Use FT-736R, IC-1271A, and IC-7000 for VHF/UHF.
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K4VUD
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 16, 2011 01:31
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Small but otherwise, great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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7800 is here along with a loaded K3 and FT-9000d. I dare any op to find a mm. difference in performance. My side by side tests show that one or the other is miniscule better, but in another set of tests that finding is reversed or all are equal.
This refers to FUNCTIONAL tests.
That leaves OPERATIONAL tests which are ultimately personal. That is, to select between these (and the super FT-5000) is a matter of personal taste. For example, some (ME!) cant stand the tiny controls on the K3; some want CW and RTTY readers in the 9000; some like the looks of their choice; some want the 7800 to equal the u-Tune filters of the 9000; and so on and on.
Bottom line in choosing one of these 4 radios is WHICH SATISFIES YOU TO LOOK AT AND HANDLE?
Answer that and buy any of the 4 with full confidence that you have the best a ham can buy.
73, K4VUD
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