[Elecraft] K3 Field Day tips (extending battery life, antennas, etc.)

[Wayne Burdick]

The K3 is a proven performer at Field Day, whether running QRP or QRO. While the K3 doesn't have the ultra-low current drain of the K2 or KX3, its current requirements are still quite low compared to other high-performance desktop rigs. At QRP levels, it can typically operate for the entire field day period from a fully charged car battery. 

To extend battery life, you can reduce the K3's current drain using any of the following methods:

1. If you have a KPA3 installed but plan to run QRP, set the KPA3 menu entry to PA BYP. This will limit the range of the power control to 12 W.

2. Turn off the preamp and attenuator when possible.

3. Turn off the subreceiver when not in use.

4. Turn off the LCD backlight (use the "DAY" setting).

5. Use headphones rather than the internal speaker.

The use of all of these techniques should keep RX-mode current drain well under an amp.

Regarding antennas: Always keep the antennas for different radios as far apart as possible. If you're using directional antennas, orient them at right angles to each other. If desense or other artifacts occur, turn the preamp off. If the antennas are *really* close together, there's always the 20-dB attenuator.

73,
Wayne
N6KR