[Elecraft] Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

[Don Wilhelm]

Al,

 From your goals, it sounds like you need to place an order for the 
Elecraft KX3.
160 through 6 meters (General coverage RX 310 kHz through 32 MHz plus 44 
to 54 MHz and 144 to 148 with the 2 meter option -  with CW, SSB, DATA, 
AM and FM modes.

It has a built-in speaker, that is easy to copy.

OK, it is not the "low priced kid on the block", but there is nothing to 
compare to it.  It is a 15 watt version of a fully "grown up" 
transceiver in a size just a little larger than the average handheld 
VHF/UHF transceiver.

When the 100 watt amplifier and tuner are available, the KX3 and amp 
will be in the 100 watt transceiver class, with the complete transceiver 
in a size similar to other manufacturer's removable face plates.

I just finished an Elecraft booth at a local hamfest where my KX3 was 
proudly displayed.  I cannot tell you how many hams came up and asked 
where the "rest of the transceiver" was.  They were shocked when they 
found that the KX3 was a complete transceiver in that small package.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 4/9/2012 9:00 PM, Al Gulseth wrote:
> Greetings Elecrafters,
>
> I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
> semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
> equipment as noted above.
>
> Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
> in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
> speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
> a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
> make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
> 5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
> prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
> an experiment/idea at this time
>
> One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
> to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
> T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
> the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.
>
> Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
> above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
> toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?
>
> As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
> link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?
>
> BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....
>