[Elecraft] K144XV Option

[Jim Bennett]

Hi Joel -

I did what you are considering - downsizing, sort of. I had the K3/100 and P3 combo along with an IC-207H dual band radio. I rarely ever got on 440, so I decided to add the K3 internal 144 MHz module. As a bonus, selling the dual-bander paid for a good part of the K144XV's price! Installation was pretty easy, and the unit works perfectly. I have the FM filter in the K3 so I can (and do) use the local repeaters when I get in the mood. In addition, having CW/SSB capability on 2 meters is pretty cool. A long time ago I had a Yaesu FT-736R and I did a little CW operating on the band, and I missed that capability. Anyway, the K144XV puts out a max of about 10-12 watts, so unless you've got a tower and a nice high-gain yagi on top of it, you aren't going to be doing Worked All States or EME. I gave my 2 meter signal a little more muscle by building the 80 watt all-mode linear amp that was designed by W6PQL and featured in the May 2013 issue of QST. Here is a link to the amp info on his web site: http://www.w6pql.com/2_meter_80w_all_mode_amplifier.htm

Bottom line: a nice addition to your K3 and a way to eliminate a piece of equipment from your desk.

Jim / W6JHB

On   Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, at  Saturday, 6:10 AM, Joel Black wrote:

> Sorry if this is a duplicate post. I think I sent it from the wrong email.
> 
> I am looking at further downsizing my station and I have a question about the K144XV transverter for the K3.
> 
> My current setup is the K3 (160 - 6 m), the P3, and an Icom ID-880H (D-STAR). I am on D-STAR less than once per month. For that matter, I rarely get on 2 m when I'm at home. Two meters is my to-and-from work and my out-and-about driving band. I don't do mobile HF because it's too much to fiddle with and I drive a company work truck (I probably wouldn't do mobile HF unless someone else was driving). Even though I do not get on 2 m from the house very much, I'd still like the capability and I'm in the process of simplifying and minimizing my life. I thought the K144XV would help with that.
> 
> What are the opinions of the K144XV? All good and bad are welcome.
> 
> Thanks,
> Joel - W4JBB
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