Elecraft K3S

160-6m Low-Noise SDR Transceiver

Specs Manuals (0) Reviews (0) Prices (1) Compare

Find Elecraft K3S rigs and spare parts on eBay

Find the Elecraft K3S on Amazon
We receive a small fee if you buy through these links, which helps support this site. Thank you!

Upgraded version of the Elecraft K3. Improvements include:
Ultra low-noise synthesizer for exceptional strong-signal receive
performance and transmit signal purity (KSYN3A)
• USB port–integrates remote control and line-level audio,
eliminating the need for a PC sound card and audio cables
• Second preamp for 12-6 m weak signal work (on included KXV3B
module)
• Multiple attenuators, providing steps of -5/-10/-15 dB
• Enhanced look and feel, with new LCD bezel, soft-touch VFO knob
• Lower-Loss ATU option with true bypass relay (KAT3A)
• Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio
• Accurate, high-speed CW transmit even in SPLIT mode
• Coverage of the 630-meter band (~470 kHz), and lower1

General characteristics

HAM bands: 160m 80m 60m 40m 30m (WARC) 20m 17m (WARC) 15m 12m (WARC) 11m (CB) 6m 2m 10m
Frequency stability: +/- 5 p.p.m. (0-50 °C) TCXO standard; +/- 1 p.p.m. TCXO opt. (+/- 0.5 p.p.m. typ., 0-50 °C). K3EXREF option locks TCXO to an external 10-MHz reference (+/- 1 to 2 Hz typ.).
Tuning steps: 1, 10, 20, and 50 Hz fine steps; user-configurable coarse tuning steps (per-mode).
Memories: 144 channels in 1 bank(s)

Receiver

RX-range: 10-160 m + WARC / 6 m
Optional 2m / 630m
Modulations: AM FM CW USB LSB FSK AFSK RTTY PSK31/63
Sensitivity: HF, Preamp off: -133 dBm. Preamp 1: -138 dBm. Preamp 2 (12/10/6 m): -145 dBm
Selectivity: ?
Filters: 2.7 kHz + variable IF DSP Options: 200 Hz, 250 Hz, 400 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 1.8 kHz, 2.1 kHz, 2.8 kHz, 6 kHz (AM & ESSB), & 12 kHz for FM
Receiver system: Hybrid SDR / Double conversion superheterodyne
IF-frequencies: 1st: 8.215 MHz
2nd: 15 kHz
Image rejection: ≥ 70 dB
Audio output: 2.5 W per channel into 4 ohms; typ. 10% THD @ 1 kHz, 2 W, Line level + headphones

Transmitter

TX-range: 0.5-30 / 50-54 MHz (2m option)
Modulations: AM FM CW USB LSB FSK AFSK RTTY PSK31/63
RF-output: 0.1-10 / 0.1-100

Connections

Antenna: BNC + SO-239
Impedance: 50Ω
Other: -

Electrical

Power requirements: 11-15V DC
Current drain RX: 0.9 A
TX: 17-22 A

Physical

Dimensions (w×h×d): 112 × 282 × 300 mm (4.41 × 11.10 × 11.81 in) With projections
Weight: 3.80 kg (8.4 lbs) Without options
Form factor: Base Station
Manufactured: Between 2015 and 20xx in USA

Other features

Usage: Amateur / Ham radio operators
Features + options: RS-232C / USB-B
Built in PSK, RTTY, and CW text decode/display
Built-in keyer
DVR option
Sub RX option
High-contrast LCD
Dual VFOs
Real-time clock
Accessories: -
RigReference ID: 6156
MPN: ELECRAFT-K000003S

We do our best to be accurate, but if you've spotted something wrong or incomplete, please let us know!

Manuals, diagrams and brochures

: No documents available for this particular model.

: Upload relevant documents

Reviews & stories

Do you know this rig? Tell us something about it!

New and second-hand prices

Estimating the value of a rig can be challenging. We collect prices paid by real hams over the years to help you estimate the value of a used Elecraft K3S. Just bought or sold this model? Let us know what you traded it for and help other ham operators!

Based on historic data, today's second-hand price of the Elecraft K3S is around:

EUR 1991.00

Price History Chart

These estimates are based on the following prices:

Year	Historic price	Condition	Submitted by
2022	EUR 2000.00	Used / Mint	Carlos Wenzel

Login or Register to submit prices

Links & tools

About

RigReference.com aims to become the most comprehensive reference guide for ham radio equipment. If you have any questions or suggestions, or if you'd like to participate, please get in touch.

Buy me a coffee