[Elecraft] Establishing A New Station

[Don Wilhelm]

Tommy,

Since you want to add a panadapter later, you will need the KX3 rather 
than the KX2.  There is no provision for a panadapter with the KX2.

In your RV, the KXPA100/KAT100 can hide away somewhere away from your 
operating position - it does need a place where there is air 
circulation, it is cooled by the large finned heatsink and no fans.  You 
will need extensions for the KX3 to KXPA100 cables.  The separation with 
the stock cables is limited to about 18 inches.

You will need a power supply - the SS30DV sold by Elecraft is quite 
capable for a 100 watt station.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/13/2020 9:30 AM, Tommy Judson via Elecraft wrote:
> Good Morning Don,
> 
>> Tommy,
>>
>> The KX2, KX3, and K3 are all fine radios for CW - and data modes and SSB
>> as well.
>>
>> Do you want 100 watts - then choose the K3 (or K3S).  You can also add
>> the P3 for a panadapter display.
> I would, at some time, like to add the panadapter display.
>>
>> Do you want something small that you can tote in a backpack, then the
>> KX2 is the obvious choice.  You can use it at home with the KXPA100 for
>> a 100 watt home station.
>>
>> Do you want something that is small enough for 'picnic table portable’,
> Yes, I need something that is picnic table portable.  There is absolutely no room to set up a station in this RV.
>>
>> but has more buttons and up-front controls than the KX2, then choose the
>> KX3.  It also can serve as a 100 watt home station with the addition of
>> the KXPA100 and can also be used with the PX3 for a panadapter display.
>>
>> If you are planning portable work, the internal tuner is a must.
> Yes, the tuner is a must.
> I ordered a fiberglass mast and enough parts to assemble a 40meter inverted V and will place a permanent mount in the ground to support this configuration.  I plan on being able to set-up/take down the pole/antenna easily whenever I want to get on the air.  Of course it’ll stay up most all the time when I’m in residence here.
>> At the home station, if you do not have resonant antennas,
> I used to enjoy tuning antennas to a fairly specific frequency so will try to do that with this one too.
>> then you
>> should have the internal tuner in the K3/K3S or the KXPA100.
>>
>> Those are the basics that I can convey, the choice is yours to make
>> depending on your station aspirations.
>> Try not to base your decision on price alone
> That is good advice - I went to our credit union and after figuring out the cost of a complete station took out a share backed loan to get the best interest and be a forced saving account of sorts because of paying it off.  Most always do this when making outlandish purchases.
>> - decide what you want and
>> then proceed from there.
>>
>> I have the K3 with the P3. KX3 with the PX3 and KXPA100 as well as the
>> KX2.  So I can say that they are all good, but for the home station, I
>> usually go with the K3 with the KX3/PX3 and KXPA100 (with KXAT100) as an
>> alternate.  The KX2 is reserved for portable operation, and I use it
>> rarely since I no longer go on hiking ventures.
> The KX2 is the logical choice in this situation mostly because when back in my home in the 17th floor apartment in a 400 person retirement facility I’m not sure I will be able to operate.  If I do it will be most likely be with an end weighted wire suspended off a balcony - it’s a hundred feet or so to the ground.  So my permanent home will be the portable place and this country RV will be the more permanent place - especially until this coronavirus epidemic is better controlled.
> That virus delights in getting into large facilities housing the older more infirm population.  There is only one case there AT THIS TIME.  I read where similar facilities have a large percentage of the in house population testing positive.
> Anyway, so much for the logical choice, maybe having more buttons and knobs to fiddle with would add to the fun…
> 
> 73, Tommy
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 193, Issue 22
>> *****************************************
> 
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