[Elecraft] On the horns of a dilemma - upgrade K3 to 100w or buy KXPA100+ATU?

[Bayard Coolidge, N1HO]

IMNSHO, get the KPA3 for the K3. Your KAT3, as has already been pointed out,
will handle the KPA3 beautifully. You can still crank the power down to whatever
level you want, so you can still operate the K3/KPA3 at QRP levels. Plus, everything
will be nicely integrated into one package which, BTW, will also do a fine job for
Field Day and every other contest (and DXpedition) in which you want to participate.

The trade-offs are, as you mentioned, the cost, the addition of yet another box (and
power supply?) to an already crowded station, against the flexibility/complexity of
cabling betwixt the transceivers and the KXPA100.

And, yes, there is a higher powered ATU in the corral - the KAT500
http://www.elecraft.com/KAT500/kat500.html


73,
Brandy, N1HO


________________________________
 From: Jim Lowman <jmlowman at sbcglobal.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 11:00 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] On the horns of a dilemma - upgrade K3 to 100w or buy KXPA100+ATU?
 

Sort of talking out loud here, but all opinions are welcome.

As the subject says, I'm debating as to whether to buy the KPA3 module 
to bring my K3 to 100w, or spend about twice as much for the KXPA100+ATU.

The K3 and KX3 are so similar in specs and capabilities that I think 
I'll be using the KX3 only for Field Day and other portable operation, 
with the K3 as a home station.
But the KXPA100 offers the possibility to use it with my K2, K3/10 and 
KX3, as well as other QRP radios in the shack, such as the FT-817 and 
the QRP++

Dumb question:  I have the KAT3 ATU Installed in the K3.  Will it handle 
100w if I upgrade to the KPA3, or will I have to replace it? I didn't 
see an ATU with a higher power rating on the Elecraft order form.

Thanks for any thoughts and 73 de Jim - AD6CW
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