[Elecraft] [Moon-Net] Elecraft KX3 Opinions and setup

[Lance Collister, W7GJ]

Hello Brad,

I have a KX3 that I purchased with the intent on using on 6m EME DXpeditions because 
of its very small size, impressive specs and amazing firmware upgrades.   However, 
the KX3 was not originally intended for moonrise to moonset use in full duty JT65 
modes at 3w output on 6m.   3w output is all that the KX3 will provide in JT65 mode 
on HF and 6m, and it is plenty stable on HF.  I don't know what it will do when the 
2m module is released, but I assume that it also will be rated at and limited to 3w 
output on JT65 mode.

The stability on 6m initially was not adequate for JT65A mode at 3w output.   
However, Elecraft did release a temperature compensation routine which SEEMS to have 
succeeded in making it "stable enough".  Mine now only seems to have a couple seconds 
of frequency drift at the beginning of each TX and RX cycle and a slight wobble in 
the frequency throughout the cycle:

http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/KX3HSspecjt.jpg

Since JT65 only needs a good 5 seconds of sampling, and there is lots of deep QSB on 
6m EME, I suspect it will work OK now for 6m EME.   I have not had the courage yet to 
take it with me as the primary rig on a 6m EME DXpedition because signals on 6m EME 
are so weak that I thought it would be worth the reliability and dependability of the 
rock solid stability I have in the K3. However, I still have not ruled out the 
possibility of taking it with me on a future 6m EME DXpedition.

To my knowledge, nobody has JT65 experience yet with the optional 2m module, but 
Elecraft feels that it will probably not be subject to the thermal stability problems 
encountered on HF/6m because the 2m module will be physically removed from the area 
of the final transistors and oscillator.  I plan to get it when it is available and 
when I can afford it.

I realize that my application and needs were unusually extreme compared to most KX3 
users, and I was willing to try to help the physical package accommodate my 
requirements as best I could.   In order to help my K3 dissipate heat better, I added 
heat sinks to it before I went through the temperature compensation calibration routine:

http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/KX3HeatSinks.htm

When I got my KX3, there were no interface cables available, and it does not have the 
same attractive "digital ready isolated plug and play" interface capability as the 
K3.   Since my primary intent was using it on weak signal digital modes, last year I 
modified a standard NOMIC RIGblaster as a KX3 interface to the computer:

http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/KX3.htm

I don't know whether RIGblaster or Elecraft currently have full function isolation 
interface cables yet for the KX3, but I don't think they do.  The interface shown 
above will provide complete isolated interface capability for digital modes such as 
JT65, plus any CW interface from the computer (such as N1MM), logging software,  wide 
band I/Q displays and things like direct firmware downloads all with the same setup.

I hope this information is helpful to you.   If you are planning to be at the 6m BBQ 
in Austin in a couple weeks, I am thinking about bringing the KX3 and interface down 
so people can see it there.

GL and VY 73, Lance





On 9/21/2013 6:14 PM, Brad Fuller wrote:
>
> Hello to all,
>
> Due to me taking possession of some 6 and 2 meter amps that have low drive power 
> requirements I have been looking to obtain a QRP rig for my EME setup. The ELECRAFT 
> KX3 with its great reviews and the I/Q outputs for SDR applications, is the strong 
> front runner so far and I was curious if anyone else out there is using this rig 
> and what the results have been. Additionally ELECRAFT is promising a future 2M 
> module for the rig which fits into my plans very well.
>
> I am also interested in setup and configuration information for this rig.
>
> My 2^nd choice so far is the Yaesu FT817 but it looks like the KX3 is going to be a 
> much better choice.
>
> Anyone having information on these subjects please feel free to email me directly.
>
> Thank You
>
> Brad Fuller WQ5S
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
>


-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ
(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M, TX5K)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT   59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
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URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
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Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

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