[Elecraft] Augment KX3 or buy K3?

[Walter Underwood]

I have the KX3+PX3+KXPA100 setup. I’m a really casual op, maybe participating in Field Day, often chasing Summits on the Air (SOTA), definitely participating in Scouting’s Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). I take my KX3 on backpacking trips.

1. Dang, there are a lot of cables in my shack between those three boxes.
2. Love the PX3. I borrowed an IC-756 Pro with a spectrum display when I was (re-)starting out, and it was really good. The PX3 is much better.
3. Resale values appear to be pretty good for Elecraft gear, so don’t worry too much about buying the wrong thing.
4. Almost all of the time, antennas are more important than receivers. Get that dipole a little higher, buy a Balun Designs balun for it, rig a Moxon, whatever.

The last photo in this post shows my “shack”. Check out all the cables. On the other hand, it is quite compact.

https://observer.wunderwood.org/2017/03/04/speakers-for-my-elecraft-kx3/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2017/03/04/speakers-for-my-elecraft-kx3/>

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Mar 7, 2017, at 5:31 PM, Harry White <hwhite1 at maine.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> Gareth,
> 
> Why buy either? 
> 
> A K3s/10-K is $2049.95. A K3s/100-K is $2599.95 (To be equivalent to the KX3
> with the amplifier) and then you need the ATU at $379.95 for a total of
> $2979.90. And that is before you add any extra filters, a second receiver,
> DVR, etc., etc. 
> 
> A KXPA100-K is $749.95 and the tuner is $379.95. Then add the PX3 at $474.95
> and you are up to $1604.85. And that is before you buy all the cables and
> other goodies.
> 
> With either radio you end up with a rat's nest of cables to make them
> anywhere near useful. And they both have the antiquated orange display and
> way, way too few controls. You need to be a full time ham to remember which
> button to tap, which to push, and which to push and hold. The designs are
> very old and very outdated, the construction crude. They were designed to be
> QRP radios, where less is more (who needs more than ten watts? Ans: Almost
> everyone.). They fill that role admirably.
> 
> I suggest you go with the future, an IC-7300, for less than $1500, or, if
> you can wait until maybe fall, an IC-7610. Dayton is not that far away and
> maybe Kenwood or Yaesu will come out with something spectacular, at a
> less-than-Elecraft price.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Harry
> K1RSA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gareth
> - M5KVK
> Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2017 3:55 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Augment KX3 or buy K3?
> 
> Hi all
> I am in the fortunate position of having some money to spend upgrading my
> station; however I'm torn between two options.
> 
> I have a KX3 which I love and use a lot as a base station and also for SOTA.
> Generally, I operate with 5W max but there are occasions where I'd really
> like more power: but no more than 100W.
> 
> My options at present seem to be:
> 1) Reserve the KX3 for SOTA and buy a K3S, (but nothing more I only have
> enough for a K3S)
> 2) Add a KXPA100 with ATU (and maybe a PX3) instead.
> 
> If this were you with money burning a hole in your pocket, which of these
> two options would you go for?
> 
> 73, Gareth - M5KVK
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