[Elecraft] KX3 vs. K3 and other rigs?

[juergen]

Hi Dave 

The point you make about the added complexity is valid.

However from a communications effectiveness point of  20 watts is a much more realistic power level, especially for SSB QSO's.  Most of the Mil Manpacks  use this output power level.

I operate portable using mil HF manpacks with the power varying between 20 and 30 watts. I also have a SGC2020. 95% of the time on the first call I can get through  and have the standard cookie cutter qso's and move on. If you try and do the same with 10 watts  its very frustrating and much more of a struggle. These are NA Q's not local stuff. 5 to 10 watts is good power level for CW. For SSB 20 watts is far more effective, even with simple whips. Everyone will say its only 3db, however that 3db makes a huge difference when using  simple antennas especially on SSB.

While the AMP might be the answer,  looking at the projected images and size, it will be a huge hassle carrying another box around. If you consider the size of Yaesu FT857, which runs a full 100 watts of output and its design  is very neatly integrated into a tiny package, the KX3 with an external  amplifier will be awkward by comparison.

A FT857 with some AA batteries was carried to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro by HB9BXE. The operator successfully had many qso at 20 watts of output. He probably would not have  packed a KX3 and amplifier if it was available then. 

I dont see why  a duplicate of the KX3's PA could mot be offered as a piggy back box with another set of 8 batteries. I would rather follow  that option than the 100 watt linear option. It certainly would be a lot smaller and portable than the 100 watt PA. I am sure many homebrewers will explore this option.

Anyway time will tell. There is always the hombrew/modification option. The KX3 has a lot of potential and the design  is 98% there.

73
John

--- On Mon, 6/6/11, Dave KQ3T <kq3t at comcast.net> wrote:

> From: Dave KQ3T <kq3t at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 vs. K3 and other rigs?
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Monday, June 6, 2011, 6:40 AM
> Here are a couple of additional
> factors to consider.
> 
> 1. Increasing the output power to 20 or 30 watts would have
> an impact on 
> either the weight of the KX3 (more batteries needed to
> maintain a 
> desired battery life) or the battery life (the existing
> batteries would 
> not last as long at the higher power level).
> 
> 2. It is much easier to add an external power amplifier, if
> desired, 
> than to significantly improve receiver performance at a
> later date.
> 
> 73,
> Dave, KQ3T
> 
> On 6/6/2011 12:25 AM, juergen wrote:
> > Hi Kristinn
> >
> > What i dont get is  why people expect so much
> performance from a
> > so called portable rig. A rig designed for portable
> operation generally uses poor antennas and is optimized for
> weight, size and battery life.
> >
> > While its nice having great receiver specifications,
> you do have to be realistic about the real world
> requirements that is placed on the receiver when operating
> portable.
> >
> > For me battery life, convenience and power output are
> very important requirements rather than world beating
> receiver specifications.
> > I would gladly have  30 watts output over
> ultimate receiver performance. Most military manpacks run 20
> to 30 watts for good reasons.
> >
> > 10 watts and a wire in the tree type of operation does
> not  demand a receiver with 100db of IMD dynamic
> range.
> >
> > If the KX3 does deliver incredible receiver
> performance for a bargain price I wont say NO, however I can
> live with lesser receiver performance when operating with
> marginal antennas.
> >
> > What I would prefer to see is an antenna tuner that
> will tune a 9 to 13 ft whip on all bands, or alternatively a
> end fed wire on all bands. A low noise figure receiver 
> is important when using short portable antennas.
> >
> > We all waiting for the KX3  tech specs with
> baited breath. Time will tell whether we will get a 10,000
> dollar contest radio that fits into the palm of your hand!
> After all my years of operating, I have yet to have my DC
> receiver overload on 40 meters when operating portable with
> full size low dipoles.
> >
> > 73
> > John
> >
> 
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