The new product is an enhanced K3 with many new features - here's a link to a .pdf which explains them all in detail. And here's a link to a FAQ.
It appears the new K3S will be approximately $500 more than the old version, and the original K3 has been "discontinued" or "replaced" - whichever you prefer. In addition, it appears most, but not all the enhancements will be retro-fittable to make a K3 a K3S. The new bezel and the attenuator, for instance, will not.
I wonder - how does the guy feel who took delivery on a brandy new K3, in the very recent past? Are they happy because they squeaked under the wire and got their K3 at the lower price? Or are they feeling a bit miffed because they ordered and received something that is no longer "the latest and the greatest"? Except for the cosmetics, it appears that you can pretty much turn your existing K3 almost into a K3S - and you do have a "system" that is continually upgradable. So if you're an Elecraft owner, you can take comfort in the fact that when you buy something, the company does its best to stand behind their product and you.
I for one, am quite happy with my KX3's. They're all the radio I need, and should Elecraft come out with a KX3S tomorrow, I would not be bothered in the least.
The morning UStream feed from FDIM was disappointing. If you attempted to watch it, you saw that only a portion of the video picture appeared and none of the audio. Basically, you missed the entire Elecraft K3S presentation. Things got straightened out during Rev. Dobb's presentation and we were able to hear that the good Reverend was inaugurated as QRP-ARCI's very first Lifetime Member.
The silver lining is that hopefully the feed will be up and running normally for the remaining sessions.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Thanks for the info Larry!!! It really looks like a great radio, but honestly I have to ask myself, how much radio do I need, would a great radio be overkill with my wire antennas? :) I did think over a few upgrades for my K3 and KX3 but I wondering, will it truly make that much of a difference? In my case I think a better wire might serve me better :)
ReplyDeleteOOoo! Now I want one. My wife got me the K3 two Christmases ago. The K3S has some definite improvements.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to get one - eventually....