Five months into owning the K3, I'm still very impressed with it's feature set and performance. I'll go so far as to say that I really don't think there is another rig on the market at the price point that compares. One aspect of this rig that I've been thinking about lately is the K3's price vs. performance and how it compares to other rigs at the same price point. If I was starting out with the K3, here's how I would configure it:
- 100 watt Transceiver Kit: 1,949.95
- Antenna Tuner: 299.95
- 6Khz filter for AM/ESSB: 130.95
- General Coverage Module: 139.95
Total: $2520.80
The other roofing filters are nice to have, but not necessary to start out. You can add them at any time to keep the cost down. The 2nd receiver is something I would really like to have, but it's also the price of another cheap HF rig.
Now, consider what you get for that $2500. You get the best receiver on the market in any HF rig. You get a rig that is small and portable and operates with as little as 10 volts supplied. The dual 32 bit DSP software is constantly being updated and improved upon by Elecraft. The Noise Blanker is adjustable at both the hardware (IF) level and software (DSP) stages, which is incredible. It includes a fully isolated sound card interface, and 8 band TX and RX equalizer, and a TX noise gate. There are a ton of configuration options to set the buttons and controls to operate the way you prefer. New features are introduced several times a year and are updatable via firmware updates.
As I look over the other rigs in the marketplace and examine the features of some of the new rigs coming out, I just don't see anything that makes me compelled to try something else. No, it's not a cheap rig, but the value for what you get is not matched by anyone else, in my opinion.
I know this sounds like a commercial advertisement, but I haven't received any incentives to make these statements. If you're thinking about a new HF rig any time soon, give the K3 a serious look - it's the best of the best in my opinion, and at a price point that can't be beat for such a quality, feature rich piece of equipment.
- 100 watt Transceiver Kit: 1,949.95
- Antenna Tuner: 299.95
- 6Khz filter for AM/ESSB: 130.95
- General Coverage Module: 139.95
Total: $2520.80
The other roofing filters are nice to have, but not necessary to start out. You can add them at any time to keep the cost down. The 2nd receiver is something I would really like to have, but it's also the price of another cheap HF rig.
Now, consider what you get for that $2500. You get the best receiver on the market in any HF rig. You get a rig that is small and portable and operates with as little as 10 volts supplied. The dual 32 bit DSP software is constantly being updated and improved upon by Elecraft. The Noise Blanker is adjustable at both the hardware (IF) level and software (DSP) stages, which is incredible. It includes a fully isolated sound card interface, and 8 band TX and RX equalizer, and a TX noise gate. There are a ton of configuration options to set the buttons and controls to operate the way you prefer. New features are introduced several times a year and are updatable via firmware updates.
As I look over the other rigs in the marketplace and examine the features of some of the new rigs coming out, I just don't see anything that makes me compelled to try something else. No, it's not a cheap rig, but the value for what you get is not matched by anyone else, in my opinion.
I know this sounds like a commercial advertisement, but I haven't received any incentives to make these statements. If you're thinking about a new HF rig any time soon, give the K3 a serious look - it's the best of the best in my opinion, and at a price point that can't be beat for such a quality, feature rich piece of equipment.