If you want to get technical, they're all software defined radios these days 
and have been for sometime just some need to be run with the computer, while 
other's it's optional. I personally hate running the radio from the computer 
with no other choice so I steer clear of them if that's the only option. The 
k3 has front panel controls though, I've seen one though don't have one. By 
the time I get another HF radio it will be a long forgotten memory but my 
TS-2000 will hopefully last me that long.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 8:09 PM
Subject: I have to ask


> Hi folks;
> I made the mistake of going to a local radio club meeting the other
> night.  They were demonstrating software defined radio.  Someone had I
> believe a plex 3000 and a laptop.  Got all the usual stuff about how
> great the display was but when they started discussing the fact that you
> had to set up virtual cables I lost it.  I guess I too am a certifiable 
> ot.
> Has anyone tried playing with one of these things and a screen reader?
> Sounded like he used hrd for somethings and the software that came with
> the radio for others.
> On a more sain note, someone also suggested that the k3 was also a
> software defined radio.  Can the k3 be used all by itself without a pc
> connected?
> Thanks
>
> -- 
> richard