[Elecraft] KX3 - Does It need Preamp for 6M?

[Edward R Cole]

Jim,

I ran the KX3 with my Mirage A1015G running 125w into a 3-elem yagi 
for the June (8/9) ARRL VHF Contest and had no trouble hearing and 
working 6m stations.  I run the internal preamp set to 30-dB 
gain.  With that setting the noise floor raises to S2-3 which is 
about right.  The s-meter registers zero with PRE off.

Unlike the K3 the KX3 seems to hear well using the internal 
preamp.  You may wish to set the gain to 20-dB if you like quieter 
monitoring.  I have not measured MDS level using the shielded XG3 and 
very good step attenuators/double-shield coax.  -107 dBm level 
produces a strong signal.

My KX3 spends idle time monitoring 50.125 USB for openings.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
dubususa at gmail.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"