[Elecraft] Is the KX3 a good choice for a new General?

Sat Dec 6 00:47:30 EST 2014

Yes, simple is better, but if that new ham is interested in having a 
top-notch station, he will be well advised to consider Elecraft gear.  
If for no other reason than the Elecraft gear is upgradable -- one does 
not have to buy the "whole ball of wax" at the initial purchase time, it 
can be upgrades as operating needs arise.

My typical response to new hams is that they do not yet know what they 
will want for whatever type of operation they might eventually become 
interested in, so yes, they should get some operating experience under 
their belts before deciding on which rig they would want for their 
station.  That can be simply a borrowed transceiver to get that new ham 
on the air.

However, if the new ham does not have  locals who will loan him 
transceivers to "get on the air", the KX3 offers a great receiver, and a 
limited number of options, which I believe will serve the novice 
operator well for a very long time.  The only question is "do you want 
higher than 15 watts power"?  If yes, then the KXPA100 is available and 
if you do not have resonant antennas, the KXAT100 is a good wide range 
auto tuner.

The K3 is also a good choice for beginning hams.  Many get hung up on 
what filters to purchase with the K3, but my recommendation to the new 
ham is to purchase no optional filters - the DSP provides gppd filtering 
except in crowded band conditions such a contests and extreme DXing.  As 
operating experience is gained, that new ham who has now been seasoned 
may want additional filters, and they are easily added to the K3.  
Likewise the SubRX may be useful in some operating scenarios, but the 
new ham would not know the advantages provided by the SubRX until he 
"gets his feet wet".  The price of a basic K3 or a basic KX3 is within 
the realm of other high end transceivers on the market (and in fact may 
be priced less than many other comparable transceivers).

Bottom line, I would not hesitate to recommend a basic K3 or KX3 to any 
new ham.  He will have a great receiver, and the options offered by 
Elecraft can allow that new ham to customize his station by adding 
options as his needs and operating experiences dictate.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/5/2014 10:55 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
> I really have to agree.  Simple is better to start with.  I don't 
> consider the KX3 to be simple by any means.  Having some immediate 
> success is the best way to keep a new ham interested.  I keep several 
> loaners around that aren't worth very much on the used market but 
> serve very well as starter rigs.  At least twice those loaners have 
> gone to young men with an interest that eventually led to getting 
> licensed. (Both now Extras).
>
> On the other hand, if a new ham has an accessible Elmer and has an 
> opportunity for a short course in KX3 operating AND happens to be able 
> to erect a decent antenna, it might indeed be a fine choice.
>
> Like a lot of things in life - it all depends...
>
> 73, Doug -- K0DXV
>
> On Thu, 04 Dec 2014 09:27:06 -0700, Don Butler <n5lz at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> There seems to be unanimous agreement here, but I beg to differ.  In my
>> opinion, the KX3 is not ideal for a typical beginning general class
>> operator.   I own a KX3 myself, and I think it's wonderful, and I 
>> doubt that
>> I will ever part with it.  It shines when it comes to portable 
>> operation ..
>> That's why I bought it, that's what I use it for, and it's by far the 
>> best
>> portable rig I've ever owned.  I also have two K3s in my shack, and I 
>> use
>> them when I'm operating there, which is the vast majority of the 
>> time.   But
>> let's face it, most beginning hams are forced to deal with budget 
>> limits,
>> and a new KX3 is expensive.  The last time I checked, the cost of a 
>> loaded
>> KX3 with an outboard KXPA100 setup for HF only is well over $2300 
>> plus tax
>> and shipping, and that's without a power supply.
>>
>> We know that the antenna system is the most important part of any 
>> station,
>> and that an average transceiver with a great antenna will always 
>> outperform
>> a state of the art transceiver with a bare bones wire antenna. Some will
>> disagree, but I believe that a beginner will obtain more enjoyment and
>> success with a 100 watt transmitter versus a 10 watt transmitter .. 
>> He'll be
>> able to work most of the stations he can hear, which will not happen 
>> when
>> he's QRP.  QRP operation can be very, very frustrating (you know the 
>> saying
>> .. "life is too short ...")
>>
>> There are many transceivers readily available on the used market . 
>> some for
>> as little as $200 to $300. and, of course, they go on up from there.
>> Forget about all of those high tech bench testing numbers.. a beginner
>> simply needs a transceiver that works!  I happen to have a $200 TS-520S
>> (with internal power supply) in my shack that I fire up every once in
>> awhile.  I really doubt that most listeners can distinguish its 130 watt
>> signal from that of my 100 watt KX3/KPA100.  I would suggest that a 
>> beginner
>> buy something like that and use the rest of his budget to build a good
>> station and antenna system.  He will likely opt to buy a new KX3, K3 or
>> another excellent top of the line transceiver somewhere down the 
>> line, but
>> by that time he'll have a much better idea about what he really 
>> wants, and
>> the direction he wants to go in this wonderful hobby of ours.
>>
>> Don, N5LZ
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
>> Edward
>> R Cole
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2014 2:47 PM
>> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is the KX3 a good choice for a new General?
>>
>> Actually, I would say its a good choice for any new ham (Tech or General
>> License).
>>
>> It has both 10m and 6m for the Tech at 8w output which can work quite 
>> well
>> when bands are open, and locally if not. Add the 2M module and you 
>> have 2m
>> at 3w which will work nearby repeaters.  But both 6m and 2m SSB or 
>> digital
>> modes can also be used which offers increased diversity of operating.
>>
>> First step to increase usability is get a good antenna for any band
>> considered, then maybe an amplifier.  I have a HB 140w HF amp, a 
>> Mirage 125w
>> 6m amp, and RFConcepts 35w 2m amp which the KX3 can drive.  The whole 
>> lot
>> can go mobile.
>>
>> The good part is when you advance in ham radio the KX3 has the 
>> capabilities
>> to advance with you, so its not just a starter rig.  Firmware 
>> improvements
>> and additions preclude it becoming outdated technology.  Quality and
>> performance it is hard to beat for the bucks!  Had I now already had 
>> a K3,
>> the KX3 would probably be my first purchase.
>>
>> Of course I am not a new ham (56-years since I got my Novice: a week 
>> from
>> tomorrow).  So its a good new radio for an old timer - too! ;-)
>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>> http://www.kl7uw.com
>>      "Kits made by KL7UW"
>> Dubus Mag business:
>>      dubususa at gmail.com
>>
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