[amsat-bb] Re: FT847 vs TS-2000

[Edward R Cole]

At 06:51 PM 5/2/2010, James Duffey wrote:

>On May 2, 2010, at 7:38 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>
> >
> > But in my opinion K3 (dual Rx) + DEMI is far above the TS2000x for
> > near the same money.
> >
>While I understand the K3 performance being above the TS-2000X, I 
>don't understand the "near the same money" comment?
>
>A K3/10, with sub receiver, K144XVK for 2 meters, KRX3 subreceiver, 
>KXVA3A transverter interface, preamp for 6M, a DEM 432/28 
>transverter (or Elecraft $32 Transverter), a DEM 144/1296 
>transverter,  will run you $3400 or more. It is hard to get an exact 
>number as the DEM transverters are not currently available. Throw in 
>a 100 W 2M linear and you are close to $3700. A TS2000X with the 
>same capabilities is $1850, nearly half. The TS-2000X has full 
>duplex capability for satellites now. The K3 full duplex capability 
>is not available now and it is not clear to me that Elecraft is 
>working on it, particularly as they have openly stated that it is 
>hard to do in a single box. I hope they do succeed in this, and when 
>they do, I shall purchase one.
>
>Now, granted the performance of the K3 is better than the TS-2000, 
>particularly in strong signal handling capability and the DSP 
>performance, but the price differential is a lot greater than you 
>imply. And the K3, even outfitted with 432 and 1296 transverters 
>will not do full duplex satellites out of the box.
>
>I am not an Elecraft basher, I have a K1, K2, and XV222, and am 
>reasonably happy with them, but the capability of working satellites 
>with the K3 is a ways down the road and the cost will be roughly 
>twice the TS-2000X.
>
>I bought a TS-2000X primarily for my VHF roving activities and 
>satellite work. It is nice to have all the capabilities in one box 
>and I was aware of the shortcomings going in and they are not 
>overwhelming in roving. I considered a K3 and associated 
>transverters, but it is, as they used to say, not quite ready for 
>prime time as far as satellites go. And the 100W on 2M vs the 10W on 
>2M for the K3 is a real deal swinger when it comes to roving. - Duffey
>
>
>--
>James Duffey KK6MC
>DM65tc
>Cedar Crest NM
>< jamesduffey at comcast.net >

OK, James.

I was under the impression that the TS2000 ran about $2500 without 
1.2 GHz.  So you are right I have $2800 in my K3/10 with KRX3, 
KXV3.  Add $79 for the ARR 50-MHz preamp and $479/ea. for the 
assembled DEMI 144/28 and DEMI 432/28 xvtrs.  If one can buy a new 
TD2000x with 2m/70cm/23cm for $1850 then it is clearly 
cheaper.  Without 432 I will have nearly $3800 in my radio+xvtrs.

But the K3 has way better weak signal specs due to the low phase 
noise LO's and a huge lack of birdies due to its simple dual down 
conversion architecture.  Although it will not do satellite at this 
time I suspect sw changes coming for that, given enough VHF operators 
buying one.  The K3 is rapidly becoming the microwave operators radio 
of choice.

To be fair, I did not purchase it with satellite in mind.  My prime 
objective was for a super IF for VHF-microwave and eme.  I am 
building a 300w HF PA kit for only $150.  I am hoping that it will 
operate near 100w on 6m, but that remains to be seen.



73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 144-600w, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-fall 2010
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