[Elecraft] Ready to Purchase KX3 and PX3 - Would Like Advice on accessories and "must haves".

[Marc Veeneman]

Hi, Mark.  I have 3 KX3s, 2 of them here in Grand Rapids and the 3rd in Vermont at our summer home.  I used the KX3 for a single operator battery powered Field Day in 2014 on the deck in Vermont, so even have a bit of portable experience.

I think I can answer all your questions, but first let me say you're getting probably the single nicest rig available.  I do have a K3/P3 here on the desk next to my KX3/PX3/KXPA100 but rarely use the K3.  Both my 80 meter dipole and the G5RV are hooked up to the KX3 system.

I also have both the dual paddle and single paddle K8RA keys.  They are larger and heavier than the rig!  They're excellent keys and the single paddle is about as nice as they come.  However they aren't style matches to the Elecraft gear so I usually use my 9A5N paddles instead.

But what will you need?  Start with right angle 3.5 mm stereo plugs.  When you put the station together you'll find it's a mass of cables.  The Mike, Key, and Earbud jacks are all on the side of the KX3 that abuts the PX3.  They all deserve right angle plugs.  I finally bought some right angle adapters so I could, when needed, use straight plugs.

Get yourself a 3.5mm stereo Y cable so you can use both paddles without switching anything around.  I do that with the single- and dual-lever paddles.  

When I was comparing paddles to see which kept me most mistake-free at higher speeds, I actually used serially connected Y cables and 3.5mm male to 6.5mm female adapters so I didn't have to rewire the paddles and keys I was testing.  At one time I had 8 keys all active simultaneously into the single KX3 "key" jack.

Yes, you'll need to convert BNC to SO239 and you'll want a right angle male-to-female BNC adapter -- again to keep things looking neat and keep cabling aimed away from you.

If you get a KXPA100, it'll come with a right-angle BNC connector on a short cable with a PL259 on the other end.  I'm sure you could buy just that from Elecraft and then use a dual SO239 to connect to your coax.

So -- think right angle and you'll be set.

The receiver on that KX3 is wonderful.  You'll love it if you do much CW work.

73,
-- 
Marc




> On Dec 2, 2015, at 12:11 PM, Mark Tosiello <tkddruid at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi all!!
> 
> 
> I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and
> Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also
> planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply
> cable for the PX3.
> 
> Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This
> will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the
> sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as
> well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my
> station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here
> in Traverse City.
> 
> I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once
> the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air.  As far as I
> understand it, I'll need:
> 
> *Main Items:*
> 
> KX3 Kit
> PX3 Kit
> Power Supply for KX3
> Powerpole terminated cable for above.
> Power Supply for PX3
> 
> *Connectors:*
> 
> All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research
> suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for
> convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to
> SO239 connector available?  That would be ideal.
> 
> I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4
> and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a
> question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge
> LiPo batteries or only NiMH?  Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if
> charged with an external charger?
> 
> I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this
> comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.
> 
> Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3!  I'm excited!
> 
> Mark KD8EDC
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