[Elecraft] KX3 - First 2 meter CW contact

[Jim's Desktop]

Just finished a 15 mile CW QSO on 144 MHz using the KX3's internal 2 
meter transverter.  Antenna on my end was a Ringo Ranger (vertically 
polarized) only 12 feet off the ground and the antenna on his end was 
also a Ringo Ranger but his was on a real short (6 foot) ground mounted 
mast.  There is quite a bit of hilly terrain between us and signals were 
only 539 both ways but with the low noise on the band copy was real 
easy.  We tried SSB but I don't have the latest Field Test firmware in 
my KX3 and the transverter is putting out maybe a watt on SSB.  It does 
the full 3.0 watts on CW.  Also as previously reported, CW using the 
internal keyer is kind of messed up.  It misses character elements and 
gets choppy at times.  I didn't have time to try external keying with my 
bug but that will come in another test tomorrow.

Jim - W0EB
Park City, KS