[Elecraft] Successfully assembled KX3 s/n 1254

[Josh Lehan]

Hi there.  Also wanted to introduce myself.  I successfully assembled
the Elecraft KX3, and it works!  It's s/n 1254.

It's the first kit radio that I've assembled.  It was really easy, since
no soldering is involved, just assembly of completed parts.  I ordered
the kit not only to save $100, but to give myself a teaching experience
as well.  Glad I did.  My kit was missing a particular size of spacer
entirely, and another spacer was the wrong interior size (the exterior
size was correct, though).  Learned a lesson about testing parts for
fit, not just count.  Elecraft tech support was great, quickly mailing
me the parts that I needed.  Also found a great local store as a backup,
Olander's, in Sunnyvale, CA.

So glad I ordered the filter option and ATU option.  The filter
calibration procedure was easy, and even somewhat fun, and teaches how
to use the radio at the same time.  Was afraid I had done something
wrong at first, as I had almost no RX, just static, but then realized I
hadn't calibrated the filters.  I like the little test antenna that
picks up 16 MHz: it is a great little thing to use, to rule out any
broken connections to the antenna jack, broken external antennas, or
anything like that.

The ATU is great!  I don't have a full size outdoor antenna up yet, but
was able to achieve a match on some random small antennas I had.  I love
the SWR display, how it displays the best that it could find after
trying all of the possibilities.  I was unsure what the maximum
acceptable SWR for TX is.  Could I damage the radio by transmitting into
a high SWR?  What's the maximum SWR that's safe to use?  Also, is it
risky to use the ATU if it can't find a match?  Does the ATU know to
give up, and avoid damage to itself, if the antenna is hopeless?

My only complaints about the assembled radio is how it goes together.
Everything's rock solid in the main boards of the two halves, but when
they come together, it's a tight fit, and doesn't feel as solid as it
should.  I had to use the longer screws for the battery pack, as the
supplied shorter screws wouldn't grip at all.  Very glad that Elecraft
included the longer screws in the spare parts bag, as an alternate!  The
four thumbscrews each go in a channel that's still free to slide apart,
unless the thumbscrews are *really* tight.  I wish there was a way to
hold it closed with a screw hole that solidly mates the two halves, not
merely by friction within a channel.  It's also hard to tell when the
radio's been fully pushed together, as there's a lot of friction there,
and I don't want to crush anything or short anything together.  Afraid
the radio will keep wiggling itself apart with use.

Also, the ATU seems to rest precariously, as if the two spacers are too
high.  Would have been nicer to have the ATU supported on three spacers,
not two, as it seems to rock back and forth, like a teeter totter.  Hope
this doesn't prevent it from making good contact.  I have both pin
blocks of the ATU correctly inserted, but had to balance the ATU board
so that it would rest flat, and not tip to one side or the other.  I
wonder if the provided spacers are just a bit too high?

It *eats* batteries.  So, after receiving a good recommendation, I went
to Halted Electronics and picked up a small little external power
supply, that in its previous lifetime had been a power supply for a
laptop computer.  Works great, at the cost of portability of course.
Got one at 12V and another at 15V (wasn't sure if they would work,
wanted a backup, luckily both worked).  Now the KX3 puts out the full
amount of power (10W at 12V, 12W at 15V)!  Using my little antenna, I
was able to "work" the TV upstairs while my spouse was watching it,
putting my voice through it, then shutting it off!  Ah, RFI.  At least I
know the radio is putting out power.  Obviously, I have much to learn!
Glad I have a fine radio now, with which to do it.  :)

Josh
KJ6PVN