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| Reviews Summary for Elecraft K3 |
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Reviews: 119
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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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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More info: http://www.elecraft.com
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write your own review of the Elecraft K3.
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WB8YQJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 3, 2009 12:03
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Best Value
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had a K3 since they were introduced, and now own two. I built two K2's and sold them, there were too many other radios on the market that cost less and offered more basic radio performance.
But K3 is in my mind the best value and offers the most fundamental performance in 2009.
The creature comfort feature set is dwarfed by most of the offshore transceivers and the size of the K3 is decidedly small when compared to them as well.
However, each and every single feature offered has merit (it works).
In addition, the receiver functions as a quality analog transceiver might, such as Collins, Yaesu FT1000D or Icom IC775. This means AGC and selectivity are pure and natural. Close in signal handling is unsurpassed.
If you are not concerned with top shelf AGC, and happy with some decidedly unusual sounds in the audio - buy an IC756Pro, TS2000, FLEX. They have fine DSP and beaucoup creature comforts as well.
But, if you demand the best possible fundamental receiver performance that rivals or exceeds the best analog transceivers - K3 is the only choice.
Elecraft is (as of July 2009) beyond adding basic features to the K3. It's taken a couple of years but they now have all the modes and bands plus the subreceiver working 100%.
http://www.zerobeat.net/mediawiki/index.php/K3_Wiki_at_ZeroBeat.NET
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K3ICH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2009 04:51
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Mechanical Perfection.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I was amazed at the precision fit of all the mechanical pieces of this radio. Mount a standoff, plug in a board and the cover hole lines up exactly centered! Not a single out of tolerance fit anywhere. Licensed in 1959, I've built LOTS of kits, from Heath, Knight etc. and the bigget problem with all of them was the parts fit. Not a problem with the K-3. Oh, and it worked perfectly when finished. I'm impressed.
If someone comes out with a spectum display that'll drive an external monitor (which I've become addicted to with the Icoms), the K-3 could become THE main station radio.
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N9LBW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 1, 2009 08:46
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Excellent Receive and Great Transmit
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just purchased a late model ELECRAFT K3-100 and it compares favorably to my YAESU FT-2000D and TEN TEC ORION II in transmit audio, but it beats them both in sensitivity and selectivity on receive. It is definately a keeper for me and I am basically a Raw Chewer, so I can only imagine how the DXers and Contesters would appreciate it.
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DH4JQ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2009 02:29
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Bestellung und Versand mit Schallgeschwindigkeit
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Time owned: months
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Hallo zusammen
So was hab ich selten erlebt.
Am Mittwochnacht 27.05.2009 eine K3 per Online bestellt und per Mastercard bezahlt.Der wurde dann am Donnerstag 27.05.2009 per UPS versendet traf am Fr 30.05 in Köln ein wurde verzollt (UPS die nehmen nur 10€ Vorlagegebühr) schade das morgen Samstag ist und Montag ein Feiertag ansonsten hatte man das Gerät in 48 Stunden auf dem Tisch stehen. Klasse Service von Elecraft und UPS
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WA9VEE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2009 07:34
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Excellent Diversity Receive
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had my K3 #2717 for over 2 months now. I came from a FT897D, so I was easy to impress.
I’m only adding this review to highlight the Diversity Receive feature that links the 2 receivers together to use 2 independent antennas (only one way of many that the 2nd receiver can be used). I must say that of all the rich features of this radio, I rate Diversity Receive the best. Very seldom does it happen that using 2 antennas does not improve the reception. And since the antennas tend to QSB at different times, a solid copy, especially on weak signals, happens very often where switching between antennas proves I would have lost contact in QSB with either antenna individually.
Some K3 folks I’ve talked to have a mental picture that the 2nd antenna must be substantial. Constrained to an apartment, my 2nd antenna is just a floor to ceiling vertical wire fed through a small old MFJ tuner. Someday a substantial 2nd antenna would make me very happy. But for now, this little vertical wire in additional to my main outdoor horizontal 200’ long wire make 2-antenna receive something I would sorely miss if I didn’t have it. Something like 20% of the time, the short indoor wire receives better than the outdoor antenna, especially if the other station is using a vertical.
And from what I understand, the K3 is the only rig that does this Diversity 2-antenna Receive thing right. Thank goodness.
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ND4Z
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Rating: 5/5
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May 14, 2009 00:37
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Outstanding! In a class of it's own.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just got through building and testing my new K3.
After a nice discussion with Eric at the Orlando Ham Fest I decided to order the K3 100 watt kit.
I will not bother to say a lot, since most of the other reviews already stated on how great the radio preformed. I will say this, I have been a very active ham radio operator since I received my novice call, WN3DYO, in 1964. I have made hundreds of thousands of QSO's all over the globe. I have used all sorts of radios, on just about all bands and modes. I have found that
my Elecraft K3 to be the best radio, hands down that I have ever operated. It is in a league of it's own, and know other radio, regardless of price has performance equal to the K3. I am a avid contestor and CW operator. The CW QSK switching, and receiver selectivity are overwhelming. But it is not for everyone. If you like huge heavy radios that fill up your whole desk, with lots of knobs and colorful band-scopes with all kinds of glitter, this is not the radio for you. But if you enjoy a super high performance radio, for HF only, that can dig out the weak DX stations and separate them from the QRM and QRN, the K3 is the one for you.
Now I know why the top DX teams from all over the world,like Ducie Is. VP6DX dxpedition choose K3s to make 183K contacts! They could have taken any other radios they wanted to due the job, but instead choose the K3's. Well done.
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K7JI
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Rating: 5/5
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May 3, 2009 16:31
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WOW - maybe time to sell my 7800???
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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WOW! What an impressive radio! Forget the electronics for a second and consider just the mechanical engineering that went into this little thing.... its truly impressive. Kit took 6 1/2 hours to assemble - easy no problems - and another hour to configure using the software and my computer to calibrate the TX, etc.
The shift and width are fantastic - and yes its true no ringing all all down to zip on the DSP bandwidth. Yes, this means 50hz! I have only 2.8 and 400 filters so far.
So far RCVR seems better than my 7800 - on CW for sure. QSK best ever. Everything easy with this radio. First radio I've owned where the menus were easy to figure out immediately, and I'm not a menu kind of guy. Sure miss the bandscope though. When I asked, Elecraft told me to hang in there for the bandscope but no promise date.
Maybe its time to sell my 7800??? Once the Elecraft bandscope comes that may be the final nail in the coffin. The only downside at all is a small point - the knobs feel like an inexpensive radio. Wish there was a better way to adjust the tension on the VFO knobs other than with felt washers - they are noisy. But with all the features this radio has and with this incredible receiver - for the money, this radio is really a miracle. So far its everything everyone says and more. And it does look better in person than the pictures would suggest.
Headed to V26 in a week and this thing is going with me... can't wait!!! Will update review if needed once I get a chance to use the radio down south under hardcore conditions. Thanks Elecraft!
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AD9P
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 29, 2009 15:19
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Great Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I sold my first K3. I decided that I wanted something a bit bigger. I tried various brands all in the same price range. All had their strong points. But NONE came close to the overall performnace of the K3.
The frosting on the pudding is of course the excellent customer service. It is really great having someone answer a question, and even go the extra mile to make you a happy customer.
Thanks
AL
AD9P
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WA5BDU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 17, 2009 10:21
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Great rig - I like it a lot!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I got the K3 in the summer of 2008, a few weeks too late for Field Day. My previous rig was an FT-1000 which I used for about nine years and liked a lot. Its main drawback was its weight (which I originally liked) plus I just had new rig fever.
My personal prejudices include working mostly CW, some contesting, a small amount of DX chasing, and QRP. I had never owned an Elecraft product before so I wasn’t an Elecraft zombie, at least at the time of purchase. Country of origin is not an issue for me.
What I wanted: Smaller and lighter. Good QSK without relays clicking. Readable display with important information shown. Controls well human engineered with no need to dig into menus for important functions in the heat of battle. Quiet fans or none at all. And of course excellent receiver performance and a clean transmitted signal.
It meets all of those requirements very well, plus adds a lot of bells and whistles that are icing on the cake. For my basic operations, the controls I need most are right there in front of me – keyer speed, selectivity, CW pitch, RIT, power output, passband shift, sidetone level. I like the feel of the keyer to the point that I no longer use an external one. The ATU works well and fast.
My ‘5’ rating means it meets my expectations and more with no unpleasant surprises. I like it a lot. Band switching is a little weird at first, and the internal speaker sings off-key on some CW notes. Those are about the only negatives I can think of.
My configuration includes 100 watt amplifier, ATU, general coverage, 13 kHz, 6 kHz, 2.8 kHz, 400 Hz and 200 Hz filters. No second receiver.
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DL1MEV
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 16, 2009 06:56
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Better than expected
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After reading all the comments I ordered mine at DL2FI as ready assembled one, because the price-difference to the kit-version is marginal and due to the ESD-risk.
I was prepared to take a steep learning curve concerning the operation, but this was not the case. The operation is easier than expected.
Compared with the FT990 which has a very good rx, the K3 sets much higher standards. For the low bands I use a broadband-vertical that delivers nearly 1V peak on 50 Ohms. Even weak signals on topband can be copied clearly with the K3 (400Hz-roofing-filter), which was not always the case with the 990.
The second receiver with the identical performance of the main rx is an unique feature, especially in that price-class. It makes catching the rare bird easier.
The modular approach makes it possible for everyone, to get a personalized transceiver with all features needed, but withouth unnecessary and costly frills. I think even an K3-version without TX could also find a niche as a high-performance SWL-RX.
The DSP in connection with the superb receiver produces a perfect audio, not just "signal cosmetics". Even with closed headphones extended listening periods are possible without getting uncomfortable.
For me it is the perfect rig.
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