greg of all the rigs i have had or played with over the years the k3 is the one that delivers what the others promised. the recievier is one of the best in the world. the ten tec orion would be the next best. both are up convert rigs.( low freq. 1st if). it is easy to build a low freq. if filter. that takes a big load off of the dsp. as a result dsp on the k3 is more flexible and effective. i to like rigs that glow. the amp sitting beside my k3 is a old drake l7. i use a johnson kilowatt matchbox for feedline matching and balance.i use balanced feed almost exclusively. the current antenna is a 80 mtr.loop at 30 ft.height. i do have one vhf radio. a yaesu 1802 fm rig i won at a hamfest. 40 mtrs. has been good to me lately. so far this month i have worked the azores, germany, france, italy, england, Israel, fiji, japan, and tasmania. it is nice to finally be actve on hf again. the k3 has 6 mtrs in it and i will eventually get around to playing with 6. i will wait for a few more sunspots tho! if i start knocking my head again the desk i would be in real trouble shortly!! my papers from the asylum proving i am sane have expired! i answered some questions for 4b and i hope helped him thru the test! if i can help you in any way let me know.take care. 73's aa5ez