[Elecraft] [KX3] smallest, lightest possible hard case for KX3

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Eric,

I'm currently prototyping a custom hard case for the KX3. It is made of 
black opaque acrylic and is just big enough to house the KX3. I put 1" 
foam on the bottom with cut outs for the knobs and thin felt on the ends 
and corners to protect the BNC ports and thumb screws. The KX3 fits face 
down on the foam and case has a sliding top that slides over the KX3 and 
latches it shut.

I'm working on two versions: one to just house the KX3 with no 
accessories and another that would house the KX3 with the KXPD3 attached 
and enough storage space for the MH3 mic, cord and accessory cord set.

The KX3 only version weighs in at just under 12 oz. I haven't weighed 
the other version yet. I'm guessing under 1 lb. The acrylic is 1/8" 
thick and the felt is 1/16" thick. So, the case is just a hair over 
3/16" bigger than the KX3 itself and a little thicker than that for the 
thickness to protect the VFO knob. I'm also working on a way to attach 
D-rings to the sides so that a carrying strap may be utilized. I'm 
really trying to be cognizant of the weight with this so that it can be 
used for backpacking and hiking.

I am using Ron, AC7AC to help me test the cases and in turn he has 
offered to provide some nice pics (he is a much better photographer than 
I am. Besides I don't have a KX3 yet). I hadn't planned on posting 
anything yet as I'm having some minor surgery done tomorrow and I'll be 
out of the shop for a few days or more and will delay the prototyping 
process. But as soon as I can get the prototypes to Ron and tested, I 
will start to offer them on my website.

I also have a clear acrylic dust cover for the KX3 that protects the 
face of the KX3 but still allows it to be connected to all your cabling. 
This has been tested by a couple of hams for me and they report that it 
works well. I will try to update my website during my recovery and come 
up with pricing.

For those not familiar with my work, here is a link to my site: 
http://w8fgu.home.comcast.net/~w8fgu/enclosures.html

I make enclosures for all of Elecraft's mini modules and I've also done 
some custom key/paddle enclosure projects.

For anyone looking for soft cover protection, please don't forget Rose 
Kopp. She makes great soft cover and carrying cases for all of 
Elecraft's products. Ken and Rose always monitor the Elecraft and KX3 list.

Take care all & 73,
Dave W8FGU



On 03/20/2013 09:21 PM, eric norris wrote:
> Does anyone have a suggestion for the smallest, lightest possible hard
> case for a kx3?  It must be able to take the weight of a fat old man
> falling on it repeatedly in the snow, at speed, arms and legs akimbo
> (that is, get jabbed by ski poles and skis).  I have a Pelican 1170, but
> I am looking for something smaller that the naked kx3 will just fit into.
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Eric WD6DBM
>
> __._,_.___
> Reply via web post
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJyMXQ5N21tBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARtc2dJZAMyNTUwMwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNycGx5BHN0aW1lAzEzNjM4Mjg5MTA-?act=reply&messageNum=25503>
> 	Reply to sender
> <mailto:gliderboy1955 at yahoo.com?subject=Re%3A%20smallest%2C%20lightest%20possible%20hard%20case%20for%20KX3>
> 	Reply to group
> <mailto:KX3 at yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20smallest%2C%20lightest%20possible%20hard%20case%20for%20KX3>
> 	Start a New Topic
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMGtuaGdqBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzEzNjM4Mjg5MTA->
> 	Messages in this topic
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/message/25503;_ylc=X3oDMTM3YWsxcmRpBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARtc2dJZAMyNTUwMwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawN2dHBjBHN0aW1lAzEzNjM4Mjg5MTAEdHBjSWQDMjU1MDM->
> (1)
>
> Recent Activity:
>
>   * New Members
>     <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJndTI4N24xBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2bWJycwRzdGltZQMxMzYzODI4OTEw?o=6>
>     43
>   * New Photos
>     <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3/spnew;_ylc=X3oDMTJncWc5MmRsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2cGhvdARzdGltZQMxMzYzODI4OTEw>
>     20
>
> Visit Your Group
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KX3;_ylc=X3oDMTJmY243ZXE0BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2Z2hwBHN0aW1lAzEzNjM4Mjg5MTA->
>
> Yahoo! Groups
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaDgwZTY4BF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTM2MzgyODkxMA-->
>
> Switch to: Text-Only
> <mailto:KX3-traditional at yahoogroups.com?subject=Change Delivery Format:
> Traditional>, Daily Digest
> <mailto:KX3-digest at yahoogroups.com?subject=Email Delivery: Digest> •
> Unsubscribe <mailto:KX3-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe>
> • Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> • Send us Feedback
> <mailto:ygroupsnotifications at yahoogroups.com?subject=Feedback on the
> redesigned individual mail v1>
> .
>
> __,_._,___