[Elecraft] KX3 and Digital Modea

[Lyle Johnson]

The KX3 operates well in most environments in modes with reasonable 
key-down times.  Recognizing that more and more operators are using 
digital modes with extended key-down times, we recently replaced the 
supplied heat sink of the KX3 with one having significantly more thermal 
mass and radiation surface area.  If your KX3 is an earlier one, and 
your operating preferences require longer key-down times at higher power 
levels than your thermal environment can reasonably handle, the improved 
heat sink is available at a nominal cost.

An alternative is to run a bit less than 5 watts and find the balance of 
transmit time, local environment and mode preferences that work for you. 
Being a weak-signal mode, WSPR at 3 or even 4 watts is likely to work 
well for you with the radio as-is.

In the end, this is a thermal management issue, not a firmware or 
software problem.

73,

Lyle KK7P

> I am on my second KX3, having sold the first one and then  find myself
> missing it.  However, I now find the KX3 routinely overheats in digital
> modes...