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| Reviews Summary for Elecraft K3 |
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Reviews: 132
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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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W6RDG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 11, 2009 10:44
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What Fun!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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well, after being out of the hobby for a number of years, i decided to get back in this past spring... didn't have any HF equipment, so i purchased a used FT-897 (third owner/sweet little brick) to check out the RF/reception conditions at my QTH and generally learn about current operating techniques... had a blast working portable/low power field day but recognized that i wanted a radio with a better front end and more control over filtering... checked out a bunch of the newer japanese radios (they -are- very cool!) but i like to tailgate and wanted something more 'portable' and less 'luggable'... after chatting with the folks at Elecraft and reading the Yahoo group and reflector, decided to take the plunge... i was able to purchase a late 2008 factory assembled radio from a ham who had just scored a 7800, and wanted to try and keep his marriage together!)
i've had the radio now for about a week, and all i can say is "wow... good choice, me!"... i really love this rig... its true that the user interface isn't 'pretty', though the large LCD display is nicely laid out and super crisp and contrasty, even in direct sunlight... in addition, i love that there's a dedicated button (with lots of 'turny' knobs and not just push buttons) for all the regularly used functions.
but what i really love is that i can pull out stations from the QRM and QRN and work alaska and puerto rico and hawaii and newington with just my MP1 superantenna or buddipole, on the ground, in my backyard, in the deepest part of the silicon valley against the base of the santa cruz mountains... the adjustable bandwidth and IF shift coupled with effective noise blankers, noise reduction and notch filters have allowed me to hear that small voice in the middle of crashing noise, and complete a bunch of QSO's i would have otherwise missed.
and then there's the support... although i've only had the rig for a week i had it on my picnic table on sunday, baking in the hot sun, and the VCO threw a PLL error... checked some online info, dropped an email to one of the founders (who responded in less than 24 hours!) and yesterday i had a phone call from the kids in Aptos with detailed instructions on how to slightly modify two small components to address this known issue... after going through all the steps i said i was a little hesitant (i'm not set up to really work inside my rigs these days) and the Elecraft fellow said, "tell you what... keep working your rig indoors for the next few days and i'll send you a new replacement VCO board... when you get it, swap it for your board and send it back and i'll rebuild it for the next person who may run into the same issue.
holy cow! i wish elecraft made cars and computers and appliances and clothing and pharmaceuticals and cheese (yah... i like cheese)
anyway, i think of operating my K3 like driving a car with a Tiptronic/Steptronic tranmission... for everyday use you set it and forget it... but when you want to manually control the gearbox and rpm's, full control is available to you, too.
am i happy? yes, i'm happy!
happy motoring and 73!
robin (K9RDG)
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W0OGH
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 6, 2009 22:14
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Excellet
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I couldn't stand it! I wanted a new rig and almost bought one of the YAECOMWOODS. But after seeing the K3 demo's at the SW division Hamfest last fall i thought this would be the best for me. Besides that it has a good 6 mtr section. Saw one advertised so i bought it. Factory assembled in 2008 with every option at that time. there is a learning curve to it which can be a bit problematic (did i understand what they said? but after playing with it for about 2 weeks, i feel pretty comfortable. Working all sorts of new stuff on 6 meters. Receiver is so quiet i have to play with the antenna switch to see if it's even working. Probably the last radio i'll own. It's greaaat!
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K2QI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 25, 2009 19:31
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Superb rig!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Have had my K3 now for about a year. I still manage to learn something new everytime I use it, or even just by reading the reflector. It's a great kit, with a fantastic receiver. Also, with the latest firmware, more and more features are being added. Elecraft support is top-notch as well. I'm not going to go into details about receiver numbers and specs, but I will say this.. I can work the weak ones FB, and I get great audio reports as well. No complaints from the peanut gallery.
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N4APG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2009 18:24
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Superb radio!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I tried several HF+6m radios before I settled on the K3. I was impressed by:
1. The quality of the components used in the radio, such as optional Inrad filters and the standard hand mic.
2. The objective ratings of the radio by third-party sources - the K3 is top rated.
3. My own experience with the radio - it was simply the best one I used to date in terms of performance.
4. Subjective things I experienced - like feel of controls, quality of the manual, support of the unit by Elecraft staff, transmit and receive audio quality and adaptability for other modes were all outstanding.
5. Innovative features - constant firmware updates, construction to your design and ease of future updates. Nothing else I tried comes close, except the Ten-Tec Omni VII.
6. Flexible updating - add features and components as you need them.
7. Small size. Portable/mobile when you need it.
Great job, Elecraft! You have set the standard for excellence in HF+6 meter radios.
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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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