[Elecraft] KX3 Questions

[PTA_ABD]

Had the same experiences with the keyer paddle KXPD3 ... a bit too much tension ( which is not adjustable except by surgery ) and the spacing is kinda tricky ( wound up having it wider than I like ). I also like a slightly wider paddle footprint ( someone suggested gluing/sticking something on them ). For FD, I didn't care for the way I sounded with it, so I reverted to the shack paddle, with great relief.  I'm not exactly thrilled with it, considering the price, but I intend to hang onto it: for ultra portable, I can slow down.

And for FD, it worked very well; contacts from all over, both coasts .... forgot it was a "QRP rig" ... plays "bigger".

And I guess I'll have to take my IC7000 on my western trip  ( yeah, and the manual too ... three years and I don't rememmer nuttin' ... can do a K3 or KX3 blindfolded ). Too bad the KX3 amp wasn't available....

Paul WB2ABD


Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 10:12:02 -0500
From: Bill Gerth <billgerth at embarqmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Questions
To: Sid Leben <sid at leben.com>
Cc: "Elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <6BC2AA78-DDAB-450E-8E16-E4B0434B2C48 at embarqmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Sid,

Regarding your KXPD3, I have had similar experiences. I, too, prefer  
small gap spacing and also had the same experiences that you did  
regarding a string of dits or dahs.  I may be imagining this, but I  
think it may have to do with thermal expansion / contraction of the  
metal components.  I think I can correlate paddle performance at tight  
gap spacing with temperature changes.  My shack tends to cool off  
overnight when my equipment is off and the HVAC gets ahead of the heat  
load.  Then during the day it heats up.  I should probably get out my  
feeler gauges and prove or disprove my theory.  But, I now have a gap  
setting that works 24/7.  It is a bit wider than I'd like, but I have  
adapted easily and I really like the KXPD3.

When you're outdoors this afternoon, maybe you can detect the same  
thermal effects that I experienced.

Good luck and stay cool!

73,

BILL GERTH, W4RK
Jefferson City, MO
First Licensed 1954
CWOPS #459
KX3 (S/N 112)

On Jul 2, 2012, at 9:51 AM, Sid Leben wrote:

> I received my KX3 a few days ago & we are getting acquainted.   
> Similar to my K3, but not the same..
> I downloaded the newest Beta, 1.06.
> As I understand it, there is some form of DSP installed.  When I  
> invoke "NR" the screen reads "tbd"  I assume that more is to come,  
> as there are no levels to adjust as in the K3.  The AGC left at the  
> default Threshold of 7, is not sufficient.  I will try lower levels  
> to stop the overload from strong stations.
> I am trying to use the APF mode.  A little complex, but it tends to  
> ring when peaked in mode II.
>
> XPD3 paddle.  Mechanically a very nice match to the rig.  I prefer a  
> tight (little movement ) paddle. I adjusted the paddles until  
> constant contact & then backed off, then tightened.  Still more  
> movement then I like, but I can acclimate.  Sometimes in the middle  
> of a transmission, I would get a string of dits or dahs, generally  
> happens when settings too tight.  I have opened the settings more,  
> inducing more travel, & I still get the "stuck" condition.  I am  
> wondering if this is a mechanical problem with the key, or a  
> software pblm with the encoder circuit ????
>
> I will take it portable this afternoon & give it a workout.  I would  
> appreciate comments.
>
> Sid
> KC2EE