[UK-CONTEST] K3 first impressions

[G3SJJ]

Apologies to those who have seen parts of this initial report already, 
several people have asked me for information when it became available.

Part 1 - I took delivery of the K3 during this week after an 8 months 
frustrating wait and what a sweet dream it is! Everything extremely well 
packed and clearly marked. Manual is very easy to follow. Build quality 
is excellent. The inventory is well worth doing. I numbered the 
different screws (well over 100) down the side of the manual page, 
separated them into different compartments of a couple of pattie 
(muffin) tins and marked the compartments with a felt tipped pen. That 
made selection much simpler. (27 screws to take top and bottom cover 
off!) I only encountered two small problems - fitting the front panel 
unit to the main board. With two pairs of connectors and not being able 
to see one pair when watching the other, it was a bit of a juggling act 
also I found tightening the set-screws on the concentric knob fiddly. If 
anyone hasn't got the time to assemble theirs I would be pleased to do 
it for a small fee!

First QSO was with N0SS (also K3) on 20CW, then YV1NX followed by W7QC 
(and another K3.) The CW sidetone is really smooth and very pleasant to 
listen to, I felt I could have sat at 35wpm all day. Tx power level very 
stable so setting up the Acom 1000 amp was quick and easy. Receiver 
sounds really good, I haven't had time to evaluate it in tough condx.. G 
to W7/0 is hardly testing at present. 80m CW sounds good and the NR 
seems to help reduce power line noise on my 70ft vertical. The one thing 
I really like is the variable width control on receive.

I went for the K3 as I felt the K2 (which I sold last June) was good but 
lacked finesse. Well this has got all the things that I wanted and more. 
I now need to integrate it into my SO2R system then I can do direct 
comparisons with the FT1kMP. I hope to be active over this weekend in 
CQWW 160CW, after which I will investigate SSB.

Part 2 - Made 101 Qs from 0611z to 0800z with all US call areas except 
6,7 and 0 although I heard a 7 (NV) and a 0 calling other Ws. I will 
continue again this evening up till around midnight z and then try and 
wake again around 0600z Sunday mng. The receiver is certainly very good, 
I could copy weak Ws right next to strong EUs. No IMD or anything else 
audible, just felt as you were the only one on the band. The variable 
width is very good. I have 2.7KHz 5 pole and a 400Hz 8 pole fitted and 
at present I don't feel I need anything else. Part of the fantastic LCD 
display shows which filter is in use, you can vary the DSP width 
continuously and when the bandwidth gets down to 400Hz that filter is 
automatically switched.

There's lots more to say but that will have to do for now, back to 160CW!!

Chris G3SJJ


useful indications.