[Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?

Tue Jul 2 09:13:01 EDT 2013

I would listen to Fred - he wrote the book (quite literally) on the KX3 ..... :-) my answer to the post says the same.

Ariel NY4G  

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 2, 2013, at 9:05 AM, "Cady, Fred" <fcady at ece.montana.edu> wrote:

> Hate to rain on the /qrp parade, but when I've operated on the DX side, and particularly during a contest, believe me, I'm looking to work stations as fast as possible. So that means that the station that catches my ear, be it the loudest, or most in the clear, or on the right frequency at the right pitch, or just timed correctly gets the response. Adding /qrp doesn't' help (for me to pick your call out). In fact, it's pretty annoying to have to wait through the unnecessary /qrp once I've zeroed in on your call. And it's really, really annoying when stations just send qrp qrp without their call. That's a bit like "last two". Yuck. Send your call at the right time on the right frequency and you'll get through.
> My $0.02 worth and probably valid only for me.
> 
> Cheers,
> Fred KE7X
> 
> Fred Cady
> "The Elecraft K3: Design, Configuration, and Operation 2nd Ed"
> "The Elecraft KX3 - Going for the Summit"
> www.ke7x.com
> www.lulu.com (20% discount code is JULYBOOKS13)
> fcady at ieee dot org
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
>> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred Smith
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 6:46 AM
>> To: 'Aaron Melton'; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?
>> 
>> 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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