[Elecraft] Why buy a KX2/KX3 compared to a KX1/MTR3B in a QRP portable scenario?

[Don Wilhelm]

Mark,

If you want one transceiver to fill all your use cases, then I believe 
the full featured KX2 or KX3 would be your choice.  It offers home 
station features along with field portability (unplug the cables and 
pick it up to go with you).

The receive sensitivity is more than adequate for home station use, and 
that same sensitivity is useful when working in the field with 
compromise antennas - if you can't hear them, you can't work them. The 
internal ATU can handle a wide range of antennas.

The KX2 has an internal microphone, so you don't have to take a 
microphone along to the field to operate SSB.

Want to work PSK or RTTY from the field?  The KX2/KX3 can send PSK or 
RTTY by keying with the paddle and can decode received signals and 
display them in the VFO B display area.

I cannot answer whether you made a good or a bad choice, but if you want 
a small transceiver that can "do it all" in one package, then I believe 
the KX2 or the KX3 is the obvious choice.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/6/2016 10:56 PM, Mark Lunday wrote:
> I want to ask some questions to help me understand the thinking behind the
> KX2 (and the KX3) because I am not fully understanding some things. I am a
> current owner of an LNR MTR3B.  39 years in the hobby, but new to TRUE QRP.
> Did I make a sub-optimal decision with the MTR3B?  (Yes, I WANT a KX2.  I
> have drooled over the KX3 since it was first produced.  And I used a
> friend's K2, so I am a fan, but did I make the BEST choice?)
>
> I see three use cases for the small QRP rig in this category:
> *	QRO home station, with an amplifier.
> *	QRP home station.
> *	QRP portable station (NOT FIELD DAY).  This is where I get confused.
> Why would someone purchase all those features in KX2/KX3?
>
>