[Elecraft] Side KX Notes, etc.

[eric norris]

I received my Side KX plates and Lexan cover for my KX3 today.  Here are a few notes some of you might find helpful.

1.  The instructions say to use a 3/8" nut driver to loosen the MIC nut.  I found this did not work, but a 10mm open-end wrench worked perfectly and did not mar the case at all. Keep the wrench perfectly aligned with the case, and apply no pressure downward on the KX3 side case.

2.  I had no trouble installing the end plates without splitting the KX3 case. 

3.  With the Side KX plates in place, my KX3 will still fit inside a Pelican 1170 case when the top foam is cut away to accommodate it.  By leaving just a little foam around the edge of the Lexan, it holds the whole shebang nice and tight.  The lid of the 1170 will close just fine with or without the Lexan cover.  I might consider gluing some soft cloth material to the top of the 1170 so it does not mar the Lexan.  I can't quite tell if it is actually making contact.   

4.  After lots of experimenting with various cases (I'm embarrassed to say how many), my favorite is the LowePro Adventure 170.  It allows the KX3 to be stored vertically, and works even better with the Side KX plates and Lexan cover.  The Adventure 140 is similar but much smaller.  The 170 allows me to carry my log, notepad, Koss PortaPro headphones, small speakers, wire antennas, keys, mic, battery pack, cables, chick magnets, cow magnets, and even a small water bottle. 

5.  The Side KX plates are very well made.  I would have preferred the Lexan be just a tiny bit thicker, but it seems like pretty tough stuff.  

6.  After considering many options to protect my KX3 while X-C skiing earlier this year, I decided the toughest, lightest package was actually a KX1 in a Pelican 1060 Micro Case.  It is pretty much bombproof.

73 Eric WD6DBM