[Elecraft] KX3 Questions

Fri Oct 31 19:31:06 EDT 2014

Responses in-line. I did a direct reply accidentally, I didn't know this
list didn't set a reply-to.

On Fri, Oct 31, 2014 at 11:19 AM, Phil Hystad <phystad at mac.com> wrote:

> Added comment on one part of post below...
>
> > Had no interest in using the KX3 on 2M and actually for the cost, you
> could probably find a very nice 2M rig.
>
> I agree with the comment quoted above if the 2M mode is FM and repeater
> action or whatever only.  But, if you are
> wanting to do weak signal work with CW, SSB, etc. then the 2M option is a
> very good cost item and worth the
> small increment of $.
>
> I bought the 2M option primarily for weak signal ops but haven't finished
> making my 2-meter antenna yet, in fact,
> still collecting the materials for its construction (a 7 element Yagi is
> the plan right now, maybe I will add elements).
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
>
> > On Oct 31, 2014, at 8:51 AM, David Ahrendts <davidahrendts at me.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Larry, I assembled a KX3 and it’s companion KXPA100 amp 3 weeks ago, and
> it is an outstanding combo. I’m replacing a Kenwood TS-480HX (an
> outstanding device also) which I ran with an Ameritron ALS-600S 600-watt
> linear. With some balancing and shielding I will be able to run the KX3 +
> KXPA100 into the 600 watt linear. So, I have my super compact QRP radio
> that I can put in my back pack and sit on a lawn chair with a Buddy Pole on
> top of a mountain, or the high power base station on my desk at home with
> the mini-beam. Cake and eat it too. The KXP3 pan adapter for the KX3
> arrives today — my weekend project.
>

I have the same combo, KX3 + KXPA100 for home, and I love it. I also own
the PX3, built the kit about a week ago - well worth the money. I can spot
conversations and jump to them far faster than I'd have every imagined. I
also used the built in signal generator in the PX3 with capacitive coupling
(to lower input power) to a wire on a BNC to binding post connector I have
to tune my filters (pretty sure I touched them when doing some work in my
KX3). Not sure how stable the generator is, but so far, no ill-effects.

> > I’ll suggest the roofing filter especially for CW. Did not get an
> antenna tuner for either the KX3 or KXPA100, but might reconsider that
> later, since I have an auto-tuner for the big linear. Had no interest in
> using the KX3 on 2M and actually for the cost, you could probably find a
> very nice 2M rig.
>

I love the ATU in my KX3/KXPA100. If you have relatively short feedlines so
impedance mismatch won't rob you of much power, they make some really easy
homebuilt antennas very usable. I have a EFHW antenna for 10/20/40m I built
that I string up on a 40' Spiderbeam for portable use, and I easy 'get out
there'. I also enjoy the ATU for my home operation, I have a low (5' above
ground and very good at NVIS but not so great for DX) 187' loop around my
backyard fence, soldered to a 450ohm window line I run into a 4:1 balun.
I've yet to encounter a band or frequency I can't get 1.5 SWR or better on,
and I've had MANY conversations all over the US and even into Canada, even
with SSB. It's nowhere near optimal, but it's better to be on the radio
than off it. I can hit most of the US, Canada, Mexico, and such on a
regular basis with 20W on 20m. It's nice not needing an external ATU. If I
had to make long feedline runes, I'd probably build an ATU near the antenna
to minimize losses.

> > Assembly suggestion: they provide you with a lot of little teeny tiny
> screws. Get a cupcake pan or ice cube tray and separate all the parts and
> label them. Very difficult to tell a 5/32 screw from a 1/4. Tweezers help.
> And the customer support is extraordinary.
>

100% agree with this advice. The only difficult part about building
Elecraft kits I have run into is keeping the various screws in order so I
was using the right screw for the right job. The manuals are excellent and
detail what you should use, but having something to split them all up when
you receive them (helps with inventory too!) makes assembly a cakewalk. I
may have spent 30 minutes putting my PX3 together, most of that spent doing
an inventory pre-build,  finding my tiny-screwdriver box of phillips head
attachments and clearing an area on the workbench to do so.

Regarding the 2M option, with that option and a small yagi I borrowed from
a friend he uses for satellite operations, I found 2 power line poles that
were generating a lot of noise. You could do the same with a Baofeng, but I
like having a radio that can fill in for a small hand-held if the
need/desire arises. There's one hell of a difference in usability between
my cheap Baofeng and my KX3, and I'm happy to have the functionality
available in a device that makes sense to me/that I know well.

Hope that helps,
David

> >
> > David Ahrendts, KC0XT, Los Angeles
> >
> >> On Oct 31, 2014, at 8:07 AM, Wolfgang, Larry, WR1B <lwolfgang at arrl.org>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> I guess I am getting ready to put a KX3 order together. Suggestions
> about roofing filter choices and other configuration suggestions welcome.
> >> I have noticed that there is some information about a 2 m / 4 m
> transverter. I've trying to figure out what the 4 m band would be. I'm not
> aware that we have an allocation there (70 something MHz?) The information
> still seems a bit sketchy about that. Any ideas? Thanks.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >>
> >> Larry Wolfgang, WR1B
> >>
>

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> >
> >
> > David Ahrendts   davidahrendts at me.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
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