[Elecraft] cooler KX3

[bill.va3ol at gmail.com]

With all of the commercial hype about heat sinks and little real world data
I would like to add my 20 cents worth of comments.

I bought a heatsink from KB8UHN (see his QRZ page) . This heatsink is
smaller, both in thickness and fin size. I was happy running winmor/RMS
with the stock KX3 from home running 3 watts but I thought a bit bigger
heatsink would allow me some higher power and with the diminutive size of
John's heatsink I would not be snagging all sorts of items on the picnic
table while portable.

Once I installed it I did some totally unscientific testing with the
following results:

Test 1: start temperature of PA: 32 after 5 minutes: 56
Test 2: start temperature of PA 30 after 5 minutes 54
Test 3: start temperature of PA: 28 after 5minutes 53

These results are summarized and I will happily sent you the total Xcel
spreadsheet.

The above data was taken at 10 watts into a dummy load with the key locked
down (on 20 meters) and are expressed in degrees Celsius. Room temperature
was about 25 degrees C, no breeze or air movement.

These temperatures compare very favorably with any other data that I have
seen posted for the much more expensive KX3 Heatsinks.

The heatsink also allows you to use the Sidekx handles and cover.

I can't think of any mode that I would use my KX3 on which would require a
larger heatsink but your operating habit may dictate otherwise.

Bill, VA3OL