[Elecraft] New ham and the KX3

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

Sean,

As a software guy myself, I understand that you may be leaning toward 
buying an antenna instead of building.

I like the idea of the LNR because it leaves more money in your pocket 
to experiment with other antennas.

Get a good antenna book.  Read all the chapters on wire antennas. Wire 
antennas are cheap cheap cheap.

Magnetic loop antennas aren't that hard to build.  You need a good 
high-voltage variable capacitor, and you can buy vacuum variable 
capacitors on eBay.  Nearly everything else comes from your local 
big-box home improvement store (Orange or Blue, your choice).

73 -- Lynn

On 2/26/2014 6:18 AM, Sean Wall wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I want to thank everyone who offered advice, it's invaluable to a new ham
> like myself!
>
> I've settled on the KX3 -- I like the fact that it's versatile enough to be
> a decent base station and it can go on the road with me.  Plus, it seems
> that it has a lot of features that you generally see on more expensive
> rigs.  The SDR aspect also appeals to me as I'm a nerd and I'd like to
> experiment with SDR applications on my laptop.  I do software development
> with a masters in electrical engineering, so I'm not worried about the KX3
> being overly complex.  I'll figure it out eventually, I think.  :D
>
>
> The one definite take-away which was clear to me is "it's all about the
> antenna".  I'm considering other antennas other than the Buddipole now.
>   The current front runner is the LNR End Fed 10/20/40 wire antenna.  I like
> it because you tune it for 40 m and 10/20 should fall into place.  Also,
> you can remove the supplied radiator and attach a new one to tune in other
> bands.  It's also a heck of a lot cheaper than a Buddipole.  (Not to
> disparage the BP -- I've read a lot of good reviews about it -- but I'd
> rather go with something simpler and less expensive right now.)  I haven't
> looked into the magnetic loop antennas yet, but I'll get to that.  One
> question though -- the LNR site said no antenna tuner is needed or
> recommended, which makes sense in this case.  I was still considering
> getting the optional antenna tuner for the KX3, but can you disable it in
> the settings if you don't want to use it?
>
> I received about equal number of responses on either side of the 10w/100w
> fence.  Once again, it seemed to boil down to "it won't make a lot of
> difference if you don't have a good antenna to start with".  I'll stick
> with 10w for now, and I can get the 100w amp later.
>
> BTW - I plan on initially using phone as I'm still learning Morse, but I
> would like get to get into CW at some point.
>
> Also, I do plan on joining a local ham club.  There are several in my area
> so that should be no problem.  If they're all as friendly and accommodating
> as you folks, I should have no problem getting help.  :)
>
> Thanks again everyone!
>
> 73 - Sean (call sign not in the ULS database yet - should be this week!!)
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