[Elecraft] K3, KX3, and FD

[Matt Zilmer]

Ted,

Just a couple of comments:

Our 2A station used a barefoot K3 throughout FD 2015.  This one is a
newer unit (#7811) with recently-installed KSYN3As.  We operated QRQ
100%, at around 25 WPM for 17 hours.  I noticed the same improved
performance you did.  I'd used an older K3 (#24) with new synthesizers
for a number of months but hadn't put it in a competitive setting like
FD.  Our other station (Kewwood-something-or-other) operator never
complained when we were running on the same band.  But of course if he
accidentally put the Kenwood into TX, he obliterated our RX.  The
KSYN3A's phase noise improvement makes a great tool for multi-station
ops on the same band.  The two stations' antennas were only about 150
feet apart.

The K3 retains its rock star status in the ham world, through constant
improvement.

I also noticed the changed conditions on Sunday morning (6 AM through
Noon, Pacific Time).  20m started weak out here, and 10m opened only a
little bit before FD ended.  I saw 10m shut down, then 15m get very
watery, and finally it was even difficult to get any new action on 20m
right near the end.

73,
matt
W6NIA

On Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:20:50 +0000, you wrote:

>I used the K3-KPA500 on 10-15-20 during the day and the KX3-KXPA100 on 40
>overnight, and so had a good chance to compare them, albeit subjectively
>and on different bands at different times.  Both setups performed
>flawlessly, and the K3¹s new synths were impeccable at QRQ. 
<snip>
>
>As for conditions, from my operating position (at elevation 8,600 feet
>just west of the Continental Divide in Colorado) conditions were
>remarkably good for this part of the cycle and this season.  At about 1:30
>local (19:30 Z) Sunday
<snip>

>Ted, KN1CBR
Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
--
"Always store beer in a dark place."  -R. Heinlein