[Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?

[Barry LaZar]

Well, yes sort of. We operated 2A with KX3s and a K3 for 6 meters. We 
worked everything we could hear; there were a few that just weren't 
listening. The issue is radiating what you have to the max. We ran beams 
and a pair of unterminated half rhombics. Most of our antennas were fed 
with open wire as we had some really long runs. I expect that our ERP 
exceeded many 100 Watt stations operating in the xA category. The rest 
is just good operating, and that takes practice. The more you practice 
the better you'll be at it. However, I make only one real 
recommendation. Run CW or PSK31 during Field Day if you operate QRP. You 
can end up being more than competitive this way. That's my opinion and I 
don't care what the QRO guys say.:-D

73,
Barry
K3NDM


On 7/2/2013 9:18 AM, Fred Smith wrote:
> I guess I never counted Field Day as a contest 8>)
>
>
> 73,
> Fred/N0AZZ
> K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 2573--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100
> P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ariel Jacala [mailto:ny4g at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 7:52 AM
> To: Fred Smith
> Cc: Aaron Melton; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?
>
> The 10w transmitter output for SSB is not a hard and fast rule.  Read the
> rules applicable to the contest.  ARRL states explicitly in the rules for
> field day - to get the 5X multiplier, transmitter output has to be no more
> than 5 watts.
>
> Ariel NY4G
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jul 2, 2013, at 8:46 AM, "Fred Smith" <mfsj at totalhighspeed.com> wrote:
>
>> 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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