[Elecraft] Some thoughts on the K3 as an emergency communications station

[Lew Phelps K6LMP]

This is one of the main reasons I got re-involved in ham radio after many years, and why I chose the K3 (after several years playing around with Yaesu rigs). I live in Southern California, and I know that some day -- it's a matter when, not whether -- we will have The Big One. I know that there will be no communication capability whatsoever, other than amateur radio. The K3 is perfectly suited to this assignment. Coupled with a home-brew version of the Buddipole antenna system and a battery pack (thanks to Niel WA7SSA) I feel well prepared to communicate under any circumstance.


Lew K6LMP


On Aug 28, 2010, at 8:12 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Most of our customers choose the K3 for its contesting or DX  
> performance. But with all the world-wide flooding, earthquakes, and  
> heat waves and power-outages we've seen this year, I'm reflecting on  
> how the K3 can serve as a flexible station for emergency communications.
> 
> Here's a brief list of K3 features that could help in such situations:
> 
> - Only about 9 pounds, and sized so it's easy to carry to any location.
> 
> - Bulletproof receiver--important for multi-transmitter environments.  
> (If you have to set up more than one HF/VHF station in a small area,  
> you'll want them not to interfere with each other.)
> 
> - Coverage of HF and SW broadcast, as well as two local/emergency  
> bands (6 and 2 meters).
> 
> - Low receive-mode current drain (about 1 amp) for extended operating  
> time when using batteries, solar panels, etc. Most radios with  
> comparable performance have current drain three times higher, and even  
> garden-variety radios are usually in the 2-amp-plus range. In transmit  
> mode, current drain can be very low at QRP power levels (12 watts or  
> less) because the PA is completely turned off.
> 
> - Runs from up to a 15-V supply, but usable down to as low as about 10  
> V in a pinch, thanks to the use of low-dropout voltage regulators.  
> Also, we selected the APP power connector specifically because it is  
> as close to a standard as exists in the portable-comms world; you'll  
> be able to "borrow" power when you need to.
> 
> - Wide-range ATU matches nearly any ad-hoc field antenna. Many built- 
> in ATUs cover only a very small range, while the KAT3 can easily match  
> loads with SWRs of 10:1, and in some cases (at QRP levels) far higher.  
> The two antenna jacks allow instant A/B testing on individual signals.
> 
> - High-performance sub receiver with true diversity receive; could  
> help copy traffic in difficult conditions.
> 
> - Built-ins that reduce the need for other equipment: real time clock  
> (with alarm), calendar, digital metering (current, voltage,  
> temperature, SWR, power).
> 
> - DVR and CW/DATA auto-repeating messages for beacon or net use, and  
> built-in text decode/display for copying bulletins (PSK31, RTTY, CW).
> 
> - And if you have room for a P3 at your emergency operating position,  
> you'll be able to find weak signals calling without endless tuning of  
> the VFO :)
> 
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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