[Elecraft] How good is the KX3 CW decode?

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Zack,

Skimmer uses a very sophisticated, PC-based CW demodulation and tracking algorithm, and it works really well, taking advantage of the PC's serious MCU horsepower.

The KX3's implementation uses about 1/1000th as much code space, consistent with the available MCU resources. It can't keep up with Skimmer on really weak signals. So if you were dependent on CW decode to complete QSOs, I would suggest sticking with Skimmer or similar PC applications. You should be able to use these apps with the KX3 via its RX I/Q port (interfaced to a sound card).

73,
Wayne
N6KR


On Jul 18, 2014, at 5:14 AM, vtnn43e at comcast.net wrote:

> 
> 
> I am thinking about getting a KX3 and am wondering how good the CW decode is considered to be? Currently I use an SDR rig with CW Skimmer and it works very well but I would like to have a portable rig for car camping and it would be also be handy to have one just in case of a zombie apocalypse or attack by Gojira . 
> 
> If anyone reading this uses a NUE-PSK with another rig how does that compare with the KX3 CW decode? 
> 
> Last of all how good is the KX3 CW decode in marginal conditions? 
> 
> Yeah, I am aware that I really should only do CW by ear but my ears are not so good and I really like using software to decode CW. Currently I have 177 countries confirmed in LOTW with CW Skimmer and my SDR. 
> 
> 73 
> 
> Zack 
> 
> N8FNR