[Elecraft] Cold K3

[Edward R Cole]

I've not tried running my K3 at outside temps, but many years ago had 
opportunity to test my TS-180S in the cold.
I was going out to a remote checkpoint on the Alaska Iditarod Trail 
(sled dog race to Nome) and my radio stuff did not make the load from 
one bush town to another so the box with radio sat outside in the 
snow overnight.

When we arrived at the checkpoint which consisted of a wall tent at 
the edge of a frozen lake, I checked the big round temperature dial 
put up on a post (it read from -60 to +100F) and the needle say on 
minimum (-60F).  It stayed there for three days so we had no idea how 
cold it got at night.  Snow was three feet deep requiring one to wear 
snowshoes everywhere.

The interior of the tent was warmed by a wood stove (55-gal oil drum 
converted to stove) to -15F.  When I got my station first set up the 
LCD screen did not work (too cold) so I left it turned off to warm up 
a little.  It worked fine then at -15F inside temp for the rest of the time.

The Honda 800w lunch box generator would not budge when the starting 
rope was pulled...until we sat the generator on top of the stove for 
an hour to warm up the lubricating oil enough to turn over the 
engine.   Ran fine once warmed and I did not stop it except for a few 
hours at night while we slept (wore my insulated underwear inside the 
down sleeping bag with my down parka draped over (like a cocoon).

Third day it warmed up to +15F and we were walking around outside in 
our tee shirts it was "so hot".  A day later arriving back in 
Anchorage where it was +30F the sweat poured off me just wearing my 
wool shirt and jeans outside.
March-1986.

I am installing my KX3 in my truck so curious if it will have any 
issues when cold.  Its easy to disconnect and bring into a warm house 
or trailer so maybe will not have to face that.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     dubususa at gmail.com