[Elecraft] KX3 jacks and connections

[Wayne Burdick]

Mike,

The KX3 should only be used as an HT when that's the only option. As  
HTs go, it's pretty large. That said, I believe the KX3 works pretty  
well for short HT-style QSOs. The speaker is right next to your ear,  
and you can use VOX if tapping XMIT doesn't suit you.

73,
Wayne
N6KR



On Dec 30, 2011, at 1:35 PM, Mike Schwendeman wrote:

> I must add one small point that I had NOT explained or addressed  
> well, at all!
>
> - Yes, the mini-mic, or the small mic that is from Fry's will indeed  
> work.
>
> This plan will mean that one would have to pick up, and hold the  
> radio, I am assuming.  This, or the mic gain will have to be set  
> rather high to enable the proper audio will be made available to the  
> transmitter.  (This higher gain setting might allow more "room  
> noise," of course.)
>
> If the desired use of the radio's "mini mic" is to be close-talked,  
> to MINIMIZE the possibility of "room noise," one would have to get  
> closer to the radio, possibly by leaning in, or by picking the KX3  
> up, and operating it like a HT, as was previously suggested.  Yeah,  
> still not the best, I am thinking: There is the possibility of  
> bumping a control unintentionally, or having to "endure" the  
> hardship of holding the radio in one's hand(s) to achieve the HT- 
> like environment.  (Nah; Hand mic with PTT or VOX operation seems  
> more attractive.)
>
> 73;    -Mike-    KØJTA
>
>
> On 12/30/11 3:02 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Mike Schwendeman wrote:
>>>
>>
>>> First, he said that the 3-circuit plug will not offer
>>> PTT.  Then, he offered that the 3-circuit devices from FRY'S, as an
>>> example, would allow one to use the KX3 as a handheld radio.
>>
>> The XMIT switch would be used with any 3-circuit mic, such as the  
>> one from Fry's. This switch is about 1" from the mic jack and  
>> convenient to use.
>>
>>>
>>> In view of the fact that a 4-circuit has the (assumed) ground, mic
>>> audio/bias, PTT and up-down functions, could it not have been  
>>> possible
>>> to "allow" a person to use a 3-circuit plug, and enjoy the normal
>>> (expected) functions of mic-with-PTT, and "ignore" the up-down  
>>> functions?
>>
>> It would certainly be possible to create a small adapter that  
>> brings PTT out separately, or rewire a mic with a 3-circuit plug to  
>> work with the KX3's PTT line. We could also allow reuse of a  
>> different I/O pin for PTT with a menu entry.
>>
>> UP/DN function conflicts (voltage levels) could be resolved by  
>> setting MENU:MIC BTN to OFF.
>>
>> This will evolve further as needed based on customer feedback, such  
>> as yours.
>>
>>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>