[CQ-Contest] What rig to choose for a one-time fieldday MM setup?

[Rick Tavan N6XI]

Yes, the K3 is the best candidate that I know. Half the radios used at WRTC
2010 were K3s. I have supplied K3s for years for my FD group. I try my best
to get new ops to sit through a briefing on the K3 prior to the contest,
but it rarely happens. I provide a one-page set of notes instead and I set
up the main station radios identically. Ops just sit down and start
operating. They don't know all the features but they don't need them all.
During the contest, they each make a mistake or two and ask for help which
is provided by the ops who are more familiar with the radio. Several of our
ops then go out any buy their own K3, an interesting consideration for your
purchase-then-sell scenario. The two biggest advantages of the K3 over most
other candidates for your application: low phase noise out and great rx
immunity to nearby RF, both adjacent channel and other bands. It is by far
the best M/M radio I've ever used. (Others may be good, too - I have not
used them all!)

I haven't used the 590 in a contest, only in casual operation. I like it
and it is indeed easy to use. If your operators can not tolerate learning
anything new or making an occasional mistake, it is worth considering. The
narrow-spaced dynamic range per Sherwood is poor but the other specs
compare well with the K3. It is small and inexpensive.

GL & 73,

/Rick N6XI


On Fri, Nov 29, 2013 at 7:21 AM, Maarten van Rossum
<pd2r.maarten at gmail.com>wrote:

> I'd go with K3's although the TS 590 isn't bad. The power spikes on 590
> will probably cause problems with you amp, depending on what amp your
> using.
>
> I don't agree with Charles, with every radio there is a possibility to hit
> a button which causes it  to behave differently. I have used K3's
> during field day style operations with operators who weren't familiar with
> Elecraft transcievers and it didn't cause any problems.
>
> The last couple of years many DXpeditions have used K3's.
>
> On a tighter budget, you could consider the TS 480.
>
> 73, Maarten PD2R
>
>
> Op vrijdag 29 november 2013 schreef Charles Harpole (hs0zcw at gmail.com):
>
> > Winner TS-590 S
> > 1.  Sit down and use it, no unusual knob turns, low learning time.
> > 2.  Standard operation on these factors, simple.
> > 3 and 3.  Small and cheap.
> >
> > K3, can not sit down and use immediately, each radio has multiple
> > programming and, one mistaken push in the middle of contest and THAT
> radio
> > is DIFFERENT.
> > Yaesu, all too big above FT 450d which is just not for this application.
> > ICOM 7600, too quirky to learn quickly;  7100 too weird and is this a
> > contest radio?
> > Ten Tec Eagle... who knows? and ORION too big.
> >
> > So, easy answer.  Good Luck, 73, Charly
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 29, 2013 at 8:03 PM, PA5MW, Mark <pa5mw at home.nl<javascript:;>>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Looking for the ideal HF rig for a one-time 6 band  field-day MM setup.
> > > Run+mult stations, so about 12 HF rigs in total.
> > > All 160-10m stations using the same rig. All with external filtering.
> All
> > > with additional PA.
> > >
> > > Requirements:
> > >
> > > 1) Simple to use interface
> > > No learning curve, anyone can learn operating this rig at contest level
> > > within an hour.
> > > Any required fine adjustments, make that *problems*,  in the field for
> > the
> > > whole MM setup needs to be easy.
> > >
> > > 2) No quirks.
> > > No unsolvable issues like leading spike at PTT.  No horrible high phase
> > > noise.
> > >
> > > 3) Small & lightweighted, can withstand some rough handling during
> travel
> > > Must fit in suitcase.
> > >
> > > 3) Price level must be very low.
> > > Any additional tips for buying and selling the rigs after the FD
> contest?
> > >
> > >
> > > Your answer, based on you own or club experience (no
> textbook/performance
> > > lists wars) will be much appreciated !
> > >
> > > 73 Mark, PA5MW
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Charly, HS0ZCW
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
> --
> 73, Maarten PD2R
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-- 
Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA