[Elecraft] KX3 S/N 112 Initial Observations

[Bill Gerth]

Here are some first impressions after three (3) days of casual  
operation with my KX3-F (Serial #112) received on Thursday May 10, 2012:

Ordering, Acknowledgement, and Shipping experience - excellent in all  
respects.  All date targets were hit precisely.  UPS 3-Day Select  
delivered the KX3 on time with no external damage.  Elecraft packaging  
is outstanding.

Manual, Instructions, Documentation - Excellent.  I had already read  
the Preliminary manual so there were no surprises.  The power cord  
provided already had the free ends stripped and tinned so all that was  
required was to connect to my power supply binding posts.

Familiarization with Functions, Features - Went through the manual  
Basic Operation section while operating the radio.  No surprises.   
Everything was logical and orderly.  Decided to make a few QSOs before  
continuing with Advanced Operating Features.

On the Air - Decided to use my G5RV at 30 feet (Inverted V config)   
and paper logging to more nearly approximate field conditions.  Heard  
AB0DZ in MN calling CQ on 20M CW.  He came back immediately and gave  
me a 589 report.  Had a nice 20 minute QSO.

Plugged in the mike and setup for SSB on 20M.  Called W7AAZ in Twin  
Falls, ID as he concluded a QSO.  He was running a K3 and said I was  
initially 58 and then 59 plus when he turned his beam on me.  Said my  
audio was excellent.

Had a couple of additional CW QSOs, one on 80M and one on 17M.  
Excellent reports from both.

Set up for PSK31 and had a QSO with WV on 20M.  Kinda spooky to be  
having a PSK QSO without a waterfall.  Paddles to PSK is very  
interesting and works well.  Gotta be fast since the screen scrolls by  
quickly.  Interesting to hear the PSK warble superimposed with the CW  
monitor of what you're sending.

Two more CW QSOs, including first DX, with Ukraine, on 20M CW and  
second DX with FG8NY on 17 meters.

Set up for RTTY and worked 3 QSOs in the VOLTA RTTY Contest, one with  
an EA2.  Again interesting to hear the mark and space tones  
superimposed on my CW monitor.  Works well.

Lots of other CW QSOs, including busting a moderate pileup on 5N7M in  
Nigeria on 17M CW.  OK, I did have to call him 3 times to get through,  
but it was a solid QSO.  Also checked in to the Missouri CW Traffic  
Net (MON) on 3.585 Mhz.  NCS said I was 599 after cranking up his RF  
gain.

Other Impressions - ATU and Advanced Operating Features

ATU - really outstanding!  Quick and remembers tuning solutions.

Freq Memories - I was worried how I'd react to the absence of band- 
stacking registers that I'm familiar with on my FT-5000.  Not to  
worry.  Four (4) "quick memories" per band allowed me to set band  
segments for CW, PSK, RTTY, and SSB,  Easy and nice!

Audio Effects - really like the delay and pitch effects.  Always use  
them, mostly delay.

Human Factors - although my prior bias was for lots of single-function  
knobs and buttons, Elecraft has really hit a home run with ease of use  
with intelligent grouping of controls and labeling of functions.  I  
would not hesitate to recommend this radio for an HF newbie as far as  
navigating the functions.  The 100 watt amp might be a good idea for  
newbies to improve their success rate until they become familiar with  
QRP tricks of the trade.

Summary - this radio is a wonderful combination of features and takes  
me back to my roots 57 years ago when my first homebrew transmitter  
ran 10 watts.  For those still awaiting delivery, hang in there.  It  
is well worth the wait.

73,
BILL
W4RK
Jefferson City, MO
Elecraft KX3 S/N 112