[Elecraft] Augment KX3 or buy K3?

[Bill Frantz]

I have both a K3/P3 and a KX3/PX3. For me, the bigest advantage 
of the K3(S) over the KX3 it the ease of switching between 
modes. I like to turn on the radio and look at the signals in a 
band and then try to listen to them. That means switching 
between Data A, AFSK A, SSB and CW a lot.

With the K3, I only have to turn VOX on in the data modes and 
off in SSB. (Please save the VOX setting by mode!) On the KX3, I 
have to swap plugs and changing settings. I have all the steps 
listed on a card which I carry with the radio, but it is by no 
means as smooth as with the K3.

I do get benefit from tighter filtering on the K3 when trying to 
rise to the top of a pileup. something that the KX3's dual watch 
doesn't do. I always use the big screen attached to the P3/SVGA 
as my major way of finding out what the radio is doing, so I 
would miss that too. But in the end, the ease of mode switch is 
the most important.

On the other hand, in Garth's situation, since money is limited, 
getting the PX3 will give a whole new way of seeing the band. 
The PX3 and the amp are probably the best way to go.

73 Bill AE6JV

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Bill Frantz        | I like the farmers' market   | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506      | because I can get fruits and | 16345 
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | vegetables without stickers. | Los Gatos, 
CA 95032