RadioBanter

RadioBanter (https://www.radiobanter.com/)
-   Shortwave (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/)
-   -   PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3 (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/150152-ping-dave-r-re-elecraft-k3.html)

bpnjensen March 8th 10 04:39 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Thanks,
Bruce

dxAce March 8th 10 05:04 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


bpnjensen wrote:

Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA



bpnjensen March 8th 10 05:17 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 9:04*am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. Why?

dxAce March 8th 10 05:23 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.


OK. Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.

At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.

It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.

dxAce
Michigan
USA



D. Peter Maus March 8th 10 05:32 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.


OK. Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......




At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.

It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.

dxAce
Michigan
USA




bpnjensen March 8th 10 05:37 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 9:23*am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. *Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.

At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.

It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.

dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.

OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.

Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.

Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.

Bruce

dxAce March 8th 10 05:38 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

OK. Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......


I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.



D. Peter Maus March 8th 10 05:58 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On 3/8/10 11:38 , dxAce wrote:


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

OK. Why?

I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......


I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.




It's not always a bad thing.




dxAce March 8th 10 06:01 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:38 , dxAce wrote:


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

OK. Why?

I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.

LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......


I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.



It's not always a bad thing.


No, at the time it all worked out pretty well! But in 'real life', some folks expect
more.



D. Peter Maus March 8th 10 06:05 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 

On 3/8/10 11:38 , dxAce wrote:


I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do
something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to
deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.



In the military, there's a kind of clarity. You know your place
in things. You know your responsibilities. You get up in the
morning, you know your mission, your purpose, and the expectations
on you.

It's a more structured and orderly life. Less chaotic. Which, of
course, clears your mind for the duties at hand should you find
yourself in combat, where training becomes autonomic.

Out in the civilian world, things are not so clear.

Life in the civilian world...


...is High School.


Clarity is the instrument of frustration there.

dxAce March 8th 10 07:18 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


dxAce wrote:

"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:38 , dxAce wrote:


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

OK. Why?

I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.

LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......

I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.



It's not always a bad thing.


No, at the time it all worked out pretty well! But in 'real life', some folks expect
more.


Holy crap... Rush just made mention of the last helicopter out of Saigon with regards to
the Obama health 'plan'.

What a 'rush'.



dxAce March 8th 10 07:28 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


dxAce wrote:

dxAce wrote:

"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:38 , dxAce wrote:


"D. Peter Maus" wrote:

On 3/8/10 11:23 , dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

OK. Why?

I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.

LOL!.

Brother, if I could explain women......

I think I'm beginning to figure myself out!

At one period in my life, I was used to telling someone to do something, and I
expected it to be done. No explanations needed.

At one time if I said 'go dig a hole over there', I didn't expect to deliver a long
winded explanation of why I wanted the hole dug.

That has followed me through the rest of my life.



It's not always a bad thing.


No, at the time it all worked out pretty well! But in 'real life', some folks expect
more.


Holy crap... Rush just made mention of the last helicopter out of Saigon with regards to
the Obama health 'plan'.

What a 'rush'.


Some might wish to Google 'operation frequent wind' to learn more about the evacuation of
Saigon.

As I recall, it may have been the largest group of naval ships since the D-Day landings, and
probably will never be seen again.



dave March 8th 10 07:55 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Thanks,
Bruce


It's totally self-contained if you want to use it that way. It even
decodes "Morse" and PSK31 on the front panel. The FlexRadio requires a
host computer running Windows Direct X 9, which is why I didn't consider
getting one. I like PowerSDR, but I'm not going to spend $200+ on
Windows to run one app.

Mark S. Holden March 8th 10 07:59 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Thanks,
Bruce


I'd seriously considered the K3, but another Ham who owns a couple of
them told me he doesn't like them at all for sideband. He feels the
audio is rather thin.

So he uses his K3's for CW contest work, and he has a pair of Yaesu
FT-1000mp's for sideband.

I was on the Elecraft reflector for a couple months, and I can tell you
they seem to do updates to firmware on a weekly basis (maybe even more
often) but there was also some grousing that the updates all seem to be
for folks who use CW instead of phone.

You don't need to have the radio hooked up to a computer for operation,
but if you want to install every update, it might make sense to leave it
hooked up.

The General Coverage bandpass module is a $140 option. I believe you'll
also need a $126 6khz filter.

I ended up buying a Ten-tec Jupiter. The Omni VII has a stronger front
end (helpful when someone is running 1500w a couple khz away), but the
audio on the Jupiter is quite nice, and the fish finder is pretty neat.
I think I can just about shoehorn it into a car loaded with stuff for
a star party.

dave March 8th 10 08:00 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:

Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

R8 tied with the ICOM R72


http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

BDK[_6_] March 8th 10 08:31 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04*am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?

The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A. The R8 and R8A, I sold pretty quickly.
--

BDK..
Leader of the nonexistent paid shills.
Non Jew Jew Club founding member.
Former number one Kook Magnet, title passed to Iarnrod.

dxAce March 8th 10 08:34 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


BDK wrote:

In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?

The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.



dxAce March 8th 10 08:45 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


dxAce wrote:

BDK wrote:

In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?

The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.


Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.

I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.



bpnjensen March 8th 10 08:49 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 12:45*pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:


In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says....
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. *Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?


The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.


Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) *and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.

I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


That R7 you have sounds like the perfect outfit. No external VFO?

dxAce March 8th 10 08:57 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 12:45 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:


In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?


The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.


Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.

I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


That R7 you have sounds like the perfect outfit. No external VFO?


No, for a long time I wanted to try the RV75 VFO with the R7 which I'm led to believe is
more stable. At one time, I did have a mint in the box RV75, however, I didn't have the
1544 adapter that went with it to hook up to the R7/A.

But, if one has an R7/A, no need for an extra VFO, turn the darn thing on, it will warm
up, and after all, that's what the tuning knob is for.



dxAce March 8th 10 09:35 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


dxAce wrote:

bpnjensen wrote:

On Mar 8, 12:45 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:

In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

OK. Why?

Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?

The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.

You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.

Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.

I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


That R7 you have sounds like the perfect outfit. No external VFO?


No, for a long time I wanted to try the RV75 VFO with the R7 which I'm led to believe is
more stable. At one time, I did have a mint in the box RV75, however, I didn't have the
1544 adapter that went with it to hook up to the R7/A.

But, if one has an R7/A, no need for an extra VFO, turn the darn thing on, it will warm
up, and after all, that's what the tuning knob is for.


Will I sell it? Maybe, after Odumbo and Emanuel are tried, convicted, and hung by the neck
on the steps of our great Capitol.

My illustrious relative, Abraham Lincoln, whom I'm related to by both blood and marriage
would be proud of me.

I fear nothing, as did those who preceded me who pledged their lives and their fortunes.



Gregg March 9th 10 08:07 AM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 4:35*pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:


On Mar 8, 12:45 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:


In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. *Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?


The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.


Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) *and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.


I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


That R7 you have sounds like the perfect outfit. *No external VFO?


No, for a long time I wanted to try the RV75 VFO with the R7 which I'm led to believe is
more stable. At one time, I did have a mint in the box RV75, however, I didn't have the
1544 adapter that went with it to hook up to the R7/A.


But, if one has an R7/A, no need for an extra VFO, turn the darn thing on, it will warm
up, and after all, that's what the tuning knob is for.


Will I sell it? Maybe, after Odumbo and Emanuel are tried, convicted, and hung by the neck
on the steps of our great Capitol.

My illustrious relative, Abraham Lincoln, whom I'm related to by both blood and marriage
would be proud of me.

I fear nothing, as did those who preceded me who pledged their lives and their fortunes.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I like this post Steve. :-)

dxAce March 9th 10 01:15 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 


Gregg wrote:

On Mar 8, 4:35 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:


On Mar 8, 12:45 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:


In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


dxAce
Michigan
USA


OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?


The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.


Off the top of my head (pointy as it may be) as I recall, the difference between
the R7 and the R7A was that the R7A came standard with the noise blanker (NB7A, at
the time) and I think the 500 kc CW filter, AND, a jumper across the filter board
which APPROXIMATED a 6 kHz filter for AM reception.


I currently have an R7 with 8, 6, 4, 3, and 2.3 kHz filters, the NB7A noise
blanker and the AUX7 board.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


That R7 you have sounds like the perfect outfit. No external VFO?


No, for a long time I wanted to try the RV75 VFO with the R7 which I'm led to believe is
more stable. At one time, I did have a mint in the box RV75, however, I didn't have the
1544 adapter that went with it to hook up to the R7/A.


But, if one has an R7/A, no need for an extra VFO, turn the darn thing on, it will warm
up, and after all, that's what the tuning knob is for.


Will I sell it? Maybe, after Odumbo and Emanuel are tried, convicted, and hung by the neck
on the steps of our great Capitol.

My illustrious relative, Abraham Lincoln, whom I'm related to by both blood and marriage
would be proud of me.

I fear nothing, as did those who preceded me who pledged their lives and their fortunes.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I like this post Steve. :-)


I'm glad that someone did.



Steve March 9th 10 02:36 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 12:37*pm, bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:23*am, dxAce wrote:



bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. *Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. *For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. *But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. *Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.

OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B *for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.

Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.

Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. *The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. *But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.

Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.


BDK[_6_] March 9th 10 03:32 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
In article ,
says...


BDK wrote:

In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.

I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?

And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?

Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.

Your wife may still love you.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

OK. Why?


Cause DxAce is a Drake fanboi?

The only thing Drake ever made I really want, or want to keep is the
R7A.


You can get an R7 and turn it into an R7A rather quickly! They are essentially
one and the same.




One of these days I'll find one at the same time I have some spare cash.
I always find one when I'm a couple hundred short. Or, if I have a big
wad of cash, it's not worth half what a decent one goes for.
--

BDK..
Leader of the nonexistent paid shills.
Non Jew Jew Club founding member.
Former number one Kook Magnet, title passed to Iarnrod.

bpnjensen March 9th 10 03:49 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 9, 6:36*am, Steve wrote:
On Mar 8, 12:37*pm, bpnjensen wrote:





On Mar 8, 9:23*am, dxAce wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. *Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. *For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. *But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. *Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.


OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B *for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.


Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.


Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. *The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.


Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. *But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.


Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Hi, Steve - My interest is primarily AM and SSB phone, both BC and ham
reception, and yes, sometimes in crowded bands and under RF duress (I
have several dozen local hams nearby and some potent 50 kW blowtorch
AM stations within a couple miles, and they are a constant nuisance -
a brick wall front end would be nice). The R75 is a fine sensitive
receiver and I get great results with the antennas I have (on my
5,000k foot lot, much more would be severe overkill), but in this
environment, a top-notch level of dynamic range and adjacent rejection
would be nice.

Bruce

bpnjensen March 9th 10 03:49 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 9, 5:15*am, dxAce wrote:
Gregg wrote:
On Mar 8, 4:35 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:


On Mar 8, 12:45 pm, dxAce wrote:
dxAce wrote:
BDK wrote:


In article ca58e1d1-8c1d-4355-ac8f-
, says...
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, dxAce wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


dave March 9th 10 04:50 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
Steve wrote:
On Mar 8, 12:37 pm, wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:23 am, wrote:



bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.

OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.

Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.

Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.

Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.

Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.


I have both. The K3 hears more than the R75. You'll need to spend
extra for SWL/ute monitoring as there is another set of (non ham band)
switched bandpass filters for the front end required, as well as a hi-fi
roofing filter. But you'd then have one of the better SWL receivers
ever made for about 2 grand.

bpnjensen March 9th 10 04:55 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 9, 8:50*am, dave wrote:
Steve wrote:
On Mar 8, 12:37 pm, *wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:23 am, *wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, *wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. *Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. *For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. *But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. *Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.


OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B *for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.


Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.


Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. *The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.


Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. *But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.


Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.


I have both. *The K3 hears more than the R75. *You'll need to spend
extra for SWL/ute monitoring as there is another set of (non ham band)
switched bandpass filters for the front end required, as well as a hi-fi
roofing filter. *But you'd then have one of the better SWL receivers
ever made for about 2 grand.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Oh, well - $2k is too much. Maybe some day they'll make a receiver.

dave March 9th 10 07:09 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 9, 8:50 am, wrote:
Steve wrote:
On Mar 8, 12:37 pm, wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:23 am, wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.


OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.


Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.


Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.


Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.


Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.


I have both. The K3 hears more than the R75. You'll need to spend
extra for SWL/ute monitoring as there is another set of (non ham band)
switched bandpass filters for the front end required, as well as a hi-fi
roofing filter. But you'd then have one of the better SWL receivers
ever made for about 2 grand.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Oh, well - $2k is too much. Maybe some day they'll make a receiver.


Half the price of a Watkins Johnson or a Ten-Tec, with better
performance. I'm going to ask on the Elecraft reflector if they'd
consider an SWL/BCB RX only version.

bpnjensen March 9th 10 07:47 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 9, 11:09*am, dave wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 9, 8:50 am, *wrote:
Steve wrote:
On Mar 8, 12:37 pm, * *wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:23 am, * *wrote:


bpnjensen wrote:
On Mar 8, 9:04 am, * *wrote:
bpnjensen wrote:
Hey, Dave, thanks for bringing up the Elecraft K3 (I'm sure my wife
will thank you as well ;-) *I just read the Receiver Topics section of
the page, and I can hardly believe my eyes. *It looks like a RX dream
come true, even the XMTR notwithstanding.


I just have two questions - As I understand it, once in awhile it is
desirable to download improved software and programming from
Elecraft. *Does this radio need to be always connected to a PC
otherwise, or is it perfectly fucntional as a stand-alone unit?


And, as configured in basic format, will it receive and properly
filter AM, or is that an add-on?


Save your money. Buy yourself a nice used Drake receiver.


Your wife may still love you.


OK. *Why?


I'm searching for the right words. Perhaps D. Peter might help.


At any rate, one can spend just so much, and after one reaches a certain
point, it ain't gonna help.


It has to do I think with the 'law' of diminishing returns, or something like
that.


dxAce
Michigan
USA- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Well, that's easy to enough to understand...that is EXACTLY how I felt
(and still feel) about my Kiwa-modded Icom R75. *For 50% more *at the
time*, I could have gotten 5% more performance. *But based on what
I've seen for prices, the law of diminishing returns does not apply
here in a straightforward manner. *Good older radios like Drakes and
the better JRCs don't seem to lose any value at all, and in many cases
cost more than when they were new as collectibles.


OK - So I buy a used Drake R7 or R8B *for $1,400, or a new K3 for
$1,400.


Or an NRD-515 and a Sherwood SE-3 for $1,800 or any other decent but
old radio for the same price range.


Unless I can find a place to dependably buy something of this calibre
for much less than $1,500, why should I not get the newer one with
better specs and modern features and upgradeable software/firmware?
The Elecraft, in my estimation, is a significant improvement over the
R75. *The others I mention above, for the same price, are not.


Don't get me wrong - I'd love a Drake. *But penny for penny, I think
the Elecraft would be a better choice.


Bruce


The K3 has a better receiver than the R75, but the fact that it has
better receiver specs than the R75 does not imply that it would be a
better radio *for you* than the R75. The K3 is is a contest rig,
designed for use in extremely crowded, contest-type band conditions
and deep CW pileups. This is why it's a favorite on DXpeditions when
people know there'll be hundreds of people calling them
simultaneously. If you spend a signficant amount of time operating
under these conditions, then you should definitely get the K3. On the
other hand, if you're more interested in DXing utility stations and
that kind of thing, then you might never hear anything on the K3 that
you could not hear on the R75. Spending your money on new antennas,
phasing units or other odds and ends might give you more bang for your
buck in that case.


I have both. *The K3 hears more than the R75. *You'll need to spend
extra for SWL/ute monitoring as there is another set of (non ham band)
switched bandpass filters for the front end required, as well as a hi-fi
roofing filter. *But you'd then have one of the better SWL receivers
ever made for about 2 grand.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


Oh, well - $2k is too much. *Maybe some day they'll make a receiver.


Half the price of a Watkins Johnson or a Ten-Tec, with better
performance. *I'm going to ask on the Elecraft reflector if they'd
consider an SWL/BCB RX only version.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Thanks, Dave - I would consider it a kind favor.

Steve March 10th 10 12:25 PM

PING: Dave R. Elecraft K3
 
On Mar 8, 2:59*pm, "Mark S. Holden" wrote:


I ended up buying a Ten-tec Jupiter. *The Omni VII has a stronger front
end (helpful when someone is running 1500w a couple khz away), but the
audio on the Jupiter is quite nice, and the fish finder is *pretty neat..
* I think I can just about shoehorn it into a car loaded with stuff for
a star party.


I have never owned a Jupiter, but a friend of mine has one and I've
had the opportunity to use it. I was definitely impressed. Very nice
audio and extremely user-friendly to boot. I wasn't too crazy about
the display on the Jupiter, but mainly because I don't like big
displays on rigs in general. The Jupiter is a good value, I think.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:13 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com