[Elecraft] KX3 - New 100 watt amp

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

The CCI components are very attractive. Before the KPA100 was released,
several K2 owners reported good results with them. While many Hams today
find their passion in hitting the top of the contest or DX lists, there are
still a lot of us "home-brewers" who are equally passionate about cobbling
together a bunch of parts to create a rig we enjoy operating. 

And, in the case of an amplifier, we home-brewers don't have the gain
limitations and FCC approval requirements those who manufacture amps or kits
for sale must meet. 

I've never owned a factory-built rig (although the K3 is *awfully* close!),
and I've never built a rig to save money. 

For me, buying a factory-assembled rig would be like buying a jig-saw puzzle
fully assembled and framed - it would miss the point of being a Ham for me,
Hi! 

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
I would probably be interested in this since I bought the K3/10 
except that I have already bought an EB-27 kit for a 18w/300w PA from CCI.
http://www.communication-concepts.com/appnotes/EB27A300Sharp.pdf

With 12w drive it will likely only reach 200w output, but my K3/10 
has 16w output up to 15m; 8w 10/6m.  I will try driving the EB-27 
with the barefoot K3/10 to start with, but am looking at getting the 
TAPR Pennywhistle amplifier kit 20w HF/6m.  It will only require 
about 1w from the K3 on all frequencies.  Will I save anything over a 
KPA-100?  Maybe not.  Wonder how the new 100w amp will be priced 
compared to the KPA-100?

For those that are curious:  The EB-27 cost me $127; transistors 
$105; misc parts $150.  The Pennywhistle is $77+shipping.  Total approx.
$400.

I already bought a used Mirage A-1015G 10w/150w 6m amp.  So I will 
have 300w HF and 150w 6m vs. 100w HF/6m.  Kind of a poor-man's 
KPA-500.  OK, not really comparable.


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45