Replacing Icom Pro 756 - K3 or Omni VII

[KQ5S]

I am thinking about replacing my Icom 756Pro with either a K3 or Omni VII. I mainly chase CW DX. Would either of these radios be an improvement over my 756? If so which would you recommend for chasing DX on CW?

73,
Tom
KQ5S

[W9GB]

I am thinking about replacing my Icom 756Pro with either a K3 or Omni VII. I mainly chase CW DX.

Tom -

I ordered the Elecraft K3 in May 2007, shortly after its announcement.
The K3 eventually replaced my Icom IC-756Pro that I purchased in March 2000.
I used the 756Pro in 2000 and 2001 CQ and ARRL contests.

Initially, before the introduction of the P3, I missed the display on the Icom 756Pro - especially for contests.

The 2 impressions that I am still left with, 5 years later, is performance for the weight and size of the K3.
IF you performed a performance / weight-size ratio -- the Elecraft easily wins.
The Japanese Big 3 have to build large boats (and heavy) to produce the same results.

IMHO, the Elecraft K3 DSP allows you to cut down the CW bandwidth -- much better than the IC-756Pro.
When I first listened to a W1AW CW Bulletin .... the tone popped up (from dead silence) like it was being sent from across the room.

w9gb

[KQ5S]

Good feedback. Thanks.

Tom

[KO6WB]

It must be nice to be in the position to have to choose from such good rigs. Ten Tec has a very good reputation for their CW knowledge, guess what, so does Elecraft. The K3 will have better reception under really busy band conditions. The Omni VII isn't quite up to the reception of the K3 but it is reported to have better operating ergonomics and the receiver is a good one. Some report the K3 audio is distrubing and The Omni VII has superior audio response. Signals seem to just come out of the noise on the Omni VII.
With the Omni VII you would need to buy additonal IF filters for the best CW operation.
The K3 is expandable in a lot of ways. You have to pay for these expansions but can still have an operational rig without them.
Hope this helps
73
Gary

[N0AZZ]

I personally would go for the rig with the best receiver and most features for working DX and the number 1 radio for that for the last 2 years is the FTDX-5000. The radios you named fell behind it in the QST,Sherwood and 4 other major reports from around the world. Cost wise it runs about the same as the radios you named it you add the extras to them plus the 5000 is a 200w radio check all the reports before deciding. I have had mine for 2 years and have never looked back and never a single problem a MP model. The K3 I had was nothing compared to this radio to operate and was hard to listen to for very long was glad the day I sold it.

The DNR on the 5000 is unmatched as far as pulling weak signals out of the noise floor or working the weak signal inbetween 2 strong signals on both sides is unreal with all the filtering included in it and only 1 extra mechanical filter to buy.

[AC0H]

The K3 I had was nothing compared to this radio to operate and was hard to listen to for very long was glad the day I sold it.

Pilot error.

The DNR on the 5000 is unmatched as far as pulling weak signals out of the noise floor or working the weak signal inbetween 2 strong signals on both sides is unreal with all the filtering included in it and only 1 extra mechanical filter to buy.

If that were true then ALL the major DXpeditions (several record setters) for the last two years and ALL the big gun contesters around the world would be running FT-5000's.

THEY AREN'T !!