[Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?

[Fred Smith]

Hi Aaron

For official QRP SSB it's 10w instead of 5w. I'm not a contester but do work
some of the contests looking for DX now mostly for my QRP DXCC. New
contracts for my regular DXCC are getting harder to come by and have been
fewer and far between so QRP just made sense.

When I'm trying to work a new contact I do append my call with a QRP many
times I'm covered up by presentence pay off. Usually they will finally
notice and you will hear a standby for the QRP station. Don't be surprised
if a ORO station jumps in front of you it happens, just hang in the DX will
know the difference.

Do I get them all no but that is why QRP is fun and SSB are the hardest
contacts to make. CW and digital are the easiest way to work QRP that's why
they are limited to 5w and not 10w like SSB. Good luck and enjoy you may not
make the most contacts or the highest score but you will have fun.


73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 2573--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100
P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2



-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Aaron Melton
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 6:44 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?

[Cross-posting between KX3 Yahoo Group & Elecraft mailing list.]

Hi all,

I'm sure at least a few of you read this email to see if this was a joke...
:D

I originally purchased a KX3 for portable ops, SOTA, etc. and it's been an
awesome rig in that regard. However, I'd like to participate in a few DX
contests from time to time and this is currently my only HF rig.  I know
that operating QRP means I'm getting clobbered more often than not by higher
power stations, but is like to know if anyone else has any tricks they'd
like to share?

If you operate QRP (5 watts) during normal contests, what/how do you do?

I have experimented with the mic gain and its currently set to 30 (which
seems to provide the most power before detrimentally distorting my voice). I
haven't touched this dial since week one. 

I've alternated adjusting the voice compression at times, but haven't had
much opportunity to get feedback from another station on how well (or not)
it might improve cutting through the noise. 

I've been told that taking some of the lows out of my voice (EQ?) might help
as well?

Finally, I've started appending "stroke QRP" to the end of my call when
contacting other stations. It doesn't make it more likely that I'll be
heard, but if heard I find I usually receive preferential treatment. 

Have you any radio settings or techniques that would help a new(er) KX3
owner and wannabe contester?

Thanks!

Aaron
de KK4LOV
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