[Elecraft] Base Station

[Mike Dodd]

On 6/20/2016 7:03 PM, Enzo Adrian-Reyes wrote:
> So any body here have any experience on running their KX3 as their main
> base station? if so how well does it do? Would a k3s be better? what
> advantage would I have with the K3S (baseline) compared to an upgraded KX3
> (ATU, 2m, Roof filters fitted)

I used a KX3 + KXPA100 + PX3 as a base station for three years, and it 
worked very well. I live in a quiet area, so can't offer advice about 
noise reduction.

I did upgrade to a K3s recently. One reason was "rig envy" :-) but 
another was to eliminate a jumble of cables and plugs to the left of the 
KX3. I had plugs for a boom mic, a headset/mic, a CW key, and audio I/O 
for a SignaLink for AFSK. Oh yes, a foot switch for PTT wired into the 
mic plugs meant I had to crawl under the desk to swap 1/4" phone plugs 
when I changed from the boom mic to the headset.

It was a mess! The K3 lets me leave everything plugged, most on the rear 
panel, so the desk is much neater now.

Another K3s benefit is the built-in USB sound card. That eliminates the 
SignaLink and its associated audio and PTT cables.

The K3 receiver seems  more sensitive than the KX3, but I've never done 
a side-by-side comparison, so I can't say for sure.

I really liked the PX3's two-line display of the KX3's decoded CW. 
Sadly, the P3 needs an accessory SVGA card and external monitor to get 
this feature.

In short, the KX3 and accessories made a very nice base station.

-- 
73, Mike N4CF
Louisa County, VA USA
Elecraft K3s/100
Carolina Windom up 45'
http://n4cf.mdodd.com