Elecraft K Line A Personal Review VE7KW

Transcription

1 Elecraft K Line A Personal Review VE7KW NSARC HF Operators 1

2 Elecraft K Line What Why Pro s Con s Discussion NSARC HF Operators 2

3 Elecraft K Line What Elecraft K3 KPA500 P3 KAT500 NSARC HF Operators 3

4 Elecraft K Line Elecraft Elecraft was founded in 1998 by Wayne Burdick (N6KR) and Eric Swartz (WA6HHQ). We're dedicated to hands-on ham radio. We offer unique, high-performance transceivers and accessories that are available both factory assembled and as kits that you can easily build yourself. Founders are interested in Portable equipment, contesting and receiver performance Products are expandable/upgradable NSARC HF Operators 4

5 Elecraft K Line K3 First there was the K2 Parts kit Still available Used prices high Then there was the K3 Screwdriver assembly or Factory build Software/Hardware upgrades High performance Receiver(s) and clean transmitter Excellent Engineering NSARC HF Operators 5

6 Elecraft K Line KPA W Amplifier No RTTY power limits Self contained Adds band select Fully integrated with K3 but usable with other transceivers NSARC HF Operators 6

7 Elecraft K Line P3 Panadapter fully integrated to K3 High resolution Basically a SDR on the K3 IF Point and click Killer for Dxing especially with two receivers SVGA option (eye candy) Transmit signal display and power meter announced NSARC HF Operators 7

8 Elecraft K Line Kat500 Adds the same ATU performance as available in the K3 KAT100 to the KPA500 (or other amp). Adds antenna select 500W at full 10:1 ATU range 1KW at 3:1 NSARC HF Operators 8

9 Elecraft K Line Why My experience On Air signals that I liked were K3 VE7CT Can read display Had top end full size Rig but was using K3 Recommended Decided that better receiver performance might assist with operating through local noise Wanted to experiment Diversity receive Multi-mode Wanted to use for DXPeditions NSARC HF Operators 9

10 Elecraft K Line Pros K3 Exceptional receiver performance Filtering (integrated with DSP), IMD, AGC, Mode configuration Clean transmitter ALC means no overshoot and cleaner signals Very flexible Can eliminate extraneous boxes (signalink, K1EL, ATU, RTTY/PSK/CW decoders/encoders) Compact/light Expandable/upgradeable NSARC HF Operators 10

11 Elecraft K Line Pros KPA500 Small Light Clean transceiver interface Excellent protection Good integration with K3 (or other transceivers) Band select Excitation level Wide voltage range Full QSK (diode switching) Just works! NSARC HF Operators 11

12 Elecraft K Line Pros P3 You NEED a HIGH DEFINITION Panadapter Small, flexible Excellent resolution Integrated with K3 VFOs and CAT Optional big screen display Likely skimmer etc. enhancements A bit more expensive but far more integrated and usable than other solutions (LP-Pan) Recent upgrade; Transmit waveform display and Power Meter display NSARC HF Operators 12

13 Elecraft K Line Pros KAT500 Solves the non-resonant antenna problem Emulates excellent K3 ATU 10:1 range at 500W 1KW at 3:1 range Integrated with K3/KPA500 Adds antenna ports (3) Protection NSARC HF Operators 13

14 Elecraft K Line Cons K3 Multifunction switches/knobs Well thought out but can cause confusion Context sensitive Extensive configuration options can cause confusion Notch filter? Build configuration options (ordering) TX bandwidth restricted to 3kHz (upsets some digital and ESSB operators) Too good? Confuses operators used to poor filtering/imd/dsp. Complaints about harsh audio. Rabid fan base NSARC HF Operators 14

15 Elecraft K Line Cons KPA500 Large transformer (switching P/S?) Only one antenna port Limited gain (FCC rules) Use with KX3 Too many screws to change voltage Why not supply a transceiver PS output? NSARC HF Operators 15

16 Elecraft K Line Cons P3 Lots of operational modes Probably never use optimally Too light for push to tune modes Not an issue for the PX3 Not the way I use it Probable skimmer etc. enhancements NSARC HF Operators 16

17 Elecraft K Line Cons KAT500 Algorithm same as KPA100? Auto seems to be flaky Best to set for antennas every 50 khz and use Manual Turn on sequence critical? NSARC HF Operators 17

18 Elecraft K Line Discussion My requirements High performance Receiver (IMD/filtering) with diversity clean transmitter Portability Multi-mode Minimise external pieces Upgradeable Moderate power Wide Range ATU E.G. 80m CW and Phone NSARC HF Operators 18

19 Elecraft K Line Discussion Why I am happy K3 has travelled the world with no problems My noise problems didn t go away but I could now work through it (IMD/Filtering) Dual receiver/p3 is a killer DX/Contest combination It just works! I know that my signals are clean but effective Ongoing firmware improvements Major hardware improvements without having to buy a new rig NSARC HF Operators 19

20 Elecraft K Line Discussion Improvements? Cabling is getting excessive An improved front end is available but uses too much power Noise reduction algorithms? Elimination of Power Pole (or at least a fix) K4 (My speculation) Integration of K3/P3 and maybe KPA500/KAT500 SDR from first IF Flex 6700 emulation unlikely NSARC HF Operators 20

21 Elecraft K Line Discussion Cost (My K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500 ~ $6,500) Depends upon what you want (K3 $1600-$4900) Can upgrade later, Kit saves some money; Easy 8 hrs Very cost effective for similar performance Entry level (100w) K3 $2150 Flex 6300 $2600, TS590SG $1710 To meet my diversity requirements (K3 ~ $2800) Flex 6700 ($7500)? No Dxpedition/Contest use? FT5000D ($5750) Not identical phase locked receivers. Not transportable. IC7800 ($10,000) No link, Not transportable TS990 ($8,000) Non identical receivers NSARC HF Operators 21

22 Elecraft K Line Discussion Who will really like it Contesters CW operators Digital mode operators Dxpeditioners Dxers Those who appreciate excellent Engineering Mysteries N1MM support for CW via CMD strings? Small control computer NSARC HF Operators 22

23 Elecraft Products Elecraft has other products KX3 (SDR 10W high performance portable transceiver) 100W amplifier (FT1ZM enroute) PX3 Panadapter K2 (parts kit) K1 (backpack kit) K3 mini (remote rig) W2 (watt meter) Signal source Transverters (K3, KX3) NSARC HF Operators 23

24 Elecraft K Line Summary Excellent engineering It helps to appreciate the level of detail 1% (wow) of the 1% (what) of the 1% (why) EG diversity (absolutely identical receivers, phase locked, with VFO linking and RX antenna port protection) Ideal for DXPedition/Contesting Not for those who like big rigs with lots of knobs Enhance/update as interests and funds dictate Outstanding support and response to concerns NSARC HF Operators 24