[Elecraft] Running the KX3 and KXPA100 Off Battery

[Phil Hystad]

I don’t have a KXPA100 yet to go with my KX3 but when I get one (soon) it will be used almost entirely in portable operation off batteries — in particular: A123 Lithium battery packs.  Currently have two 2.5 Amp-Hour packs and will be buying at least one 7.5 Amp-Hour pack (maybe two).

Although many times I will be able to recharge my battery packs in the field (maybe not always conveniently) I would like to know about how much time (in real operating practice) I would expect from, let’s say 5 amp-hours of available charge.

I could do computations and estimate duty cycle but I would also like to have real-world experience if someone has done something similar.

My operating configuration would be:  CW only and operating with enough power out to make good contacts (maybe only 50 watts or so).  Currently, I have been limited to QRP to 10 watts on my KX3 and a number of times I had wanted more power — thus my motivation for using this amplifier and battery power.

Thanks for any help you can provide — actual field experience preferred.

73, phil, K7PEH