[Elecraft] Factory K3 # 806

[Tom Childers, N5GE]

I've had this rig for about a month now.  Last night I finished building the
XV432 XVTR and got it daisy chained with the XV144 that I've had for about a
year (previously used with an Orion II, which in my opinion, not perform well
with the XV144).

For those of you who are wondering how the K3 works with XVTRs, here is my
report on my experience with the setup here.

I've been using the VX144 with the K3 since the day it showed up here:

The connection of the XV144 to the K3 was not difficult.  It would have been
even more of a pleasure if Elecraft would include a 15 pin connector with the
radio so you wouldn't have to go to Radio Shack or the local parts house to get
one.  After making the control cable the rest is plug n' play and is described
well in the XVTR manuals and the K3 manual.

Connecting another Elecraft VXTR requires the control cable for the second XVTR
(and up to three(?) more) be daisy chained to the control connector of an
existing Elecraft XVTR and installing two BNC T adapters to the previous XVTR's
RF in and out jacks so the RF can be passed on to the XVRTR that is in use.  The
Elecraft XVRTRs are energized by the K3 or K2 rig when their bands are selected.
The unselected XVTRs are disabled and disconnected from the RF path when not
selected.

How do the XVTRs perform?  Great!  I am hearing signals with the K3 and the
XVTRs better than I have previously heard them on my KWD TS-711A and Yaesu
FT-736R and I have all of the RX options of the K3 available to me when the
going gets rough.

In closing, I must say that I am very happy with the combination I have here and
I like being able to switch bands on VHF and UHF from the same band selector as
the HF bands.  Now, if I just had a band decoder to switch the antennas for
me..... ;O)

Good job Elecraft!

73,

 
Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

"Those who would give up 
Essential Liberty to 
purchase a little Temporary 
Safety deserve neither 
Liberty nor Safety" 

An excerpt from a letter 
written in 1755 from the 
Assembly to the Governor 
of Pennsylvania.

Support the entire Constitution, not 
just the parts you like.

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