[Elecraft] Unhappy With Your KX3?

[Ken G Kopp]

As usual, a "well said" piece ... (:-))

73!

Ken Kopp - K0PP

On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 3:49 PM, FredJensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> wrote:
> On 8/4/2012 2:36 PM, Rich wrote:
>> I'm curious, where has Elecraft advertised or marketed the KX3 as a
>> "base station" radio?  My quick review only finds portable operation
>> references.  The only references to base station use I find is from user
>> comments.  Am I missing  something?
>>
>> Rich
>> NU6T
> Don't think so Rich.  I too have looked and don't think Elecraft has
> ever *marketed* the KX3 as a home station radio, although it could
> certainly be used that way.  So could an FT-817, K2 [I know of several
> in that sort of service], or even a K1.   An ATS3x could be used that
> way too ... not its design goal however.  If "it" receives and makes RF,
> you can use it at home.  Everything I've heard from Elecraft, both in
> print [QST ads] and in person [Pacificon and elsewhere] have put the KX3
> in the class of a "highly portable transceiver with a lot of K3-like
> performance and features."   I've also never heard or seen it promoted
> as  an "extreme backpacking trail radio" either, however it probably
> could be used as such under at least some trail conditions, although the
> KX1 comes to mind as a better choice at night in a tent.
>
> Every time I see a KX3, real or in a photo, it calls out to me, Business
> Traveler Radio, followed closely by Leisure Traveler Radio.  I'm
> retired, I no longer do business travel, and my KX1, K2,
> K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500 are likely going to be it for me in the realm of
> Elecraft radios.  But I've never seen the KX3 *marketed* as a home
> station radio, just that you can use it there as well as elsewhere.
>
> And to the discussion regarding loudspeaker quality:  Folks, have you
> even bothered to look at the size of the KX3 speaker?  Has everyone
> forgotten the physics of audio transducers?  If you want incredibly full
> and great [near-broadcast quality] audio, I refer you to
> http://www.radioblvd.com/Pre-WWII%20Ham%20Gear.htm ... scroll down near
> the bottom of the page to "Hallicrafters SX-28 and R12 Bass Reflex
> Speaker."  I inherited this receiver from the family of "Woody," W6ANX
> [SK], some years ago.  The audio quality was incredibly good reminding
> me of the AM days when you could still hear the clang of the relays
> reverberating in his shack as your QSO buddy brought up his carrier.  I
> used it in one Sweepstakes single band CW with an ARC-5 TX.  Very
> nostalgic and fun ... for a couple of hours. :-)  And, the SX-28 was
> great insurance against the possibility of gravity outages as well.  I
> finally donated it to the museum so others could see and hear it and I
> highly recommend a visit if you find yourself in historic Virginia City NV.
>>
>> On 8/4/2012 6:42 AM, Oliver Dröse wrote:
>>> Nevertheless I would still expect from a rig marketed (not designed!) as a base station rig to provide sufficient audio from it's internal speaker. And it's nothing new or magic, even the now 11 years old FT-817 provides enough "oomph" from it's internal speaker if wanted. ;-)
> Can you point me at any Elecraft advertisements that overtly *market*
> the KX3 as a home station transceiver?
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW/7
> Sparks NV