[Elecraft] Operating temperature range ( second attempt)

[Igor Sokolov]

Barry, what was the lowest temperature you have used your KX3 without 
noticeable deterioration of performance?

73, Igor UA9CDC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry N1EU" <n1eu.barry at gmail.com>
To: "Elecraft Reflector Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Operating temperature range ( second attempt)


> No, many of SOTA activators have used a KX3 below freezing.  We just
> haven't used one at -30C (-22F) like you originally mentioned.
>
> 73, Barry N1EU
>
> On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 11:02 AM, Igor Sokolov <ua9cdc at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks Brendon,Bob and Kevin. I am not worried about batteries. My 
>> LiFePo4
>> were tested at minus 20 C and the drop in capacity is insignificant. 
>> Looks
>> like nobody tested K3 or KX3 at below freezing temperatures so I will 
>> have
>> to be the first :) A bit scary...
>>
>> 73, Igor UA9CDC
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brendon Whateley" <
>> brendon at whateley.com>
>> To: "Igor Sokolov" <ua9cdc at gmail.com>
>> Cc: "Elecraft Reflector Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 6:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Operating temperature range ( second attempt)
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Igor,
>>>
>>> I think that some have operated at low temperatures in some winter
>>> competitions -- the US North East gets pretty darn cold -- similar to 
>>> what
>>> you are talking about. I looked and easily found similar questions to
>>> yours, but no answers!
>>>
>>> The two things I'd be concerned about are the batteries and any
>>> electrolytic components that may be damaged by extreme low temperatures.
>>> The LCD screen will also stop working at low temperature, but I've never
>>> broken one by freezing -- but perhaps I was just lucky!
>>>
>>> I think batteries will have issues before most of the electronics. I'd
>>> suggest building a small insulated (expanded foam?) enclosure to hold 
>>> the
>>> radio and battery. You could then stick some chemical hand warmers into
>>> the
>>> container and keep everything at a reasonable temperature. Look at how 
>>> the
>>> "space balloon" people do things, they may have some tips. Alternatively
>>> keep the batteries in an inside pocket of your clothing.
>>>
>>> An email to the Elecraft guys may give some guidelines for temperatures
>>> that may damage components... but apart from those, I'd just give it a
>>> try!
>>>
>>> Good luck and let us know what you find out, so that we can answer  the
>>> question next time it comes up. (I live in California at the moment and
>>> our
>>> harsh winter temperatures barely touch freezing at night!)
>>>
>>> - Brendon
>>> KK6AYI
>>>
>>> On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 9:20 PM, Igor Sokolov <ua9cdc at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> There were no responce to the initial message so I post it again:
>>>>
>>>> I have both K3 and KX3 and I sometimes use them outside in a field
>>>> operation. Here in Russia we have one funny QRP contest called 
>>>> "Frost-red
>>>> nose" where extra points are given for low temperature environment 
>>>> during
>>>> field operation. The contest happens in January when in some places
>>>> temperatures can be down to minus 30 C. I did not find temperature
>>>> requirements for K3/KX3 in the specs. Can somebody give me a hint or 
>>>> may
>>>> be
>>>> share own experience. What would be the lowest temperature where the 
>>>> rig
>>>> will still perform adequately?
>>>>
>>>> 73, Igor UA9CDC
>>>>
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>>>
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