[Elecraft] K3/100 or KX3 with all the options

[Erik Basilier]

Dave, 

I have a KX3 for field test. There is something eerie, shocking, about how
something so tiny performs the way it does.
Great fun! But I guess one will eventually get used to it. 

Some aspects that will stay with you: The KX3 is designed to sit on a table
top, Supported by its rear feet. The display is, at least for now, optimized
for viewing from below the perpendicular direction rather than straight on.
Great for something you move to different locations (hiding it from the view
of the xyl?) but, with wires hanging from the sides, it doesn't create the
look of a permanent installation. If you want to hook up a lot of things to
it at a given time, you are going to find unavoidable limitations that the
K3 doesn't have in terms of size and number of connectors etc. 

The lack of a second independent receiver is a significant difference, but
the KX3 does have dual watch that covers a limited range, and there is no
extra charge for it. While you can get a built-in ATU with great range, you
only get one antenna connector for HF/6m. There again, if you build a
complex station you will have a lot of external things that make the KX3's
size advantage less important, and the xyl might find the collection of
equipment more unsightly than a single K3 box.

Firmware-wise the KX3 is where the K3 was years ago. CW and SSB work great,
but if you want FM or AM you will need to wait a little bit. 

Bottom line: You really want both. The K3 is more expensive, but you could
perhaps offset the difference by picking up a used one, or a 10W model, and
enjoy it while KX3 production and refinement ramps up. BTW with the
conditions we now have on the
higher HF bands, it is really easy to work DX with 5 or 10W, even with a
poor antenna, as the KX3 has shown me. Years ago
someone gave me a little 3 ft baseloaded whip made by Maldol. I hid the
shameful thing away in a drawer, knowing that it will
radiate only a very tiny fraction of the applied power. Now I tried it for
the first time (on the KX3, outdoors) and worked Japan on CW on the first
call. Like I said, there is something unreal about it... It definitely gives
you more opportunities for hamming.


73,
Erik K7TV


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Stratton
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:45 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K3/100 or KX3 with all the options

My radio needs are very modest for I am not a contester,

or DXer, or even one who makes a lot of contacts but I

do listen quite a bit. I do like to have a fine radio and

presently own one - the Kenwood TS-830S. I have no 

intention of parting with it. As far as modes go I operate 

HF primarily SSB and PSK31. I am trying to improve 

my CW ability however I have a problem with CW. Just

like some people have mic fright I have CW contact fright.

I like CW but I just can't do it and enjoy it. The final bit of

information is the fact that my wife hates amateur radio,

which causes me to occasionally put my radio in storage.

 

I will digest all the thoughtful comments many of you made

and make my decision. Although I do operate from home,

you can see that for me perhaps getting away to the local 

state park or some other place away from home might provide 

me with the best operating enjoyment. Doing that would be 

best accomplished with the KX3.

 

Dave - KO4KL

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