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

[Nick Kemp]

Something new hams wrestle with is ... how much do I want to spend given 
that I don't know where this will take me or if I'll even stick with 
it?  So the entry point price makes a difference.  So does 
resell-ability in case I want out.

The question of QRP operation is pertinent but not the whole discussion.

Antennas are very important but any antenna a new ham puts up will 
likely be the same regardless of what unit they are operating from and 
as such the focus goes back to the equipment usability.

A problem with the question ... Is the KX3 (/or any other model/) a good 
choice for a new General (/ham/)? ... is that it is _/*toooooo*/_ 
broad.  It is kinda like asking if someone is pretty/handsome.  It all 
depends on the observer. For either question, there is no one answer!

Relative to _usability _for a new ham (as opposed to flat out comparing 
equipment spec) mode of operation makes a huge difference to the question:

If you are operating from home base (not mobile or portable) then the 
options increase and are different than the next modes. Now there are 
more options relative to used, new and power.

If you are operating from vehicle mobile then the options change as well.

If the ham wants portable (not mobile) then the options are severely 
reduced.  For example, what if the final three are the 817ND, 857D and 
the KX3.  Now the applicability to a new ham questions include:
- Which of the three is a better new ham choice without any options?
- If I add a $150 amp (not Elecraft) to the 817ND or the KX3 now how 
does it compare to the 857D (given that final power out is not 
identical) as it applies to usability by a new ham
- If I add a antenna tuner to the 817ND, 857D & KX3 and the $150 power 
amp, how do they compare relative to usability to a new ham.
- If I take out the 817 & 857 then what units should be considered in 
addition to the KX3?  And how does operation compare relative to a new ham.

- What if the new ham only is interested in CW?  Or Digital?  Now is the 
KX3 a good choice?

If you follow my drift, the permutations and combinations of the 
question explode.  And note that I'm not trying to explode the 
discussion/question:-)

Here are some variations on the original KX3 question:
For fixed base, mobile, portable, Other?:
- Where/why is the KX3 a good choice for a new ham?
- Where/why is the KX3 a bad choice for a new ham?
- What things/actions/options/etc can make a new ham successful with a KX3?

Nick
N1KMP