[Elecraft] FD with K3 #1826

[Phil and Christina]

I ran a 1B field day station in my north meadow this weekend using my 9
month old K3.  I had thought that I would use my K2 instead for its lower
current consumption, since I was using batteries and a solar panel.  I
couldn't give up the K3 performance and features however, so I went with
that.  Power was from a pair of 75 Ah deep cycle lead acid batteries and the
surplus solar panel (probably in the 15W range).  I generally ran the TX at
about 60 to 70 watts to save some current.  I used the first battery until I
went to bed around 0830Z.  I swapped the batteries when I got up in the
morning at about 1400Z.  The power setup and rig worked great.  At the
lowest point for the first battery, the rig showed about 11.9 to 12V key up
and 11.5V transmitting - the rig worked fine at that point.  I operated SSB
exclusively so that my wife could help with the duping (I paper logged since
I don't have a suitable laptop).

I really took advantage of the rigs interference fighting ability to pull
weaker stations out from under the often serious splatter from the stronger
stations (there were quite a few really bad sounding signals on the air - we
need a campaign to teach hams how to adjust their rigs!). 20M was a wall of
noise at times but the K3 worked right through it.  I used my tall
Douglas-fir trees to support two wire antennas.  One was an extended double
Zepp for 40M that worked great on 80 and 40.  The other was the 3 5/8 wave
collinear beam described in the July 2009 QST (cut for 20M).  It worked well
on the eastern path that gave me good coverage from the northern states to
the southeastern states.  I would recommend this antenna for those wanting
good bi-directional gain in a fixed direction.

I am very glad that I used the K3.  It is a great FD rig!

73,

Phil, NS7P
Elmira, OR