[Elecraft] Fwd: [Elecraft-KX] Made the decision to buy an Elecraft... now I can't decide which one :/

[Dan Presley]

Dan Presley 503-701-3871
danpresley at me. com 
N7CQR at arrl.net


Begin forwarded message:

> 
> 
> All good questions. I have both the 2 and the 3 and I find myself using the KX2 almost exclusively on my SOTA and portable outings. If you do any hiking at all you’ll appreciate the sizing and weight difference. Performance wise the 3 has some slight edge if you buy the roofing filter otherwise you’d likely never notice the difference. Also using the internal battery is huge,but I’m strictly QRP CW so efficiency is vastly improved-I can get a lot of operating in with the internal battery. Having the 2M module is handy on the KX3 but I usually just toss in a small handheld if I think there’s much chance of 2M usage. I use the 3 as my home station and it’s excellent though it may get replaced by the K4. I doubt you’ll find a used KX2-not many letting go of these! 
> 
> 
> Dan Presley 503-701-3871
> danpresley at me. com 
> N7CQR at arrl.net
> 
> 
>>> On May 29, 2020, at 22:02, HB via groups.io <hbjr=optilink.us at groups.io> wrote:
>>> 
>> 
>> I went with the KX3. The filters are very nice!  I run with the  internal batteries and do 10 watts.  I do have a battery if I know the conditions will be tough and I need all 15 watts. 
>> 
>> This past weekend, I did a SOTA activation on 20 and 40 meters. Then I threw a roll up Jpole in a tree and called CQ on 2 meter FM. Made 6 more contacts in 4 minutes!  That has been typical for me.  My SOTA kit is a small satchel with room for a sandwich and bottle of water. 
>> 
>> I have made many 160 meter ft8 contacts at home on the back porch with a crappy 80 meter dipole running 5 watts. 
>> 
>> My KX3 gets way more use than my K3s. 
>> 
>> Hank
>> 
>>>> On May 29, 2020, at 11:49 PM, Brian Mathews <hotelbroker at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>> Hello all and thanks allowing me to join,
>>> 
>>> I am new to this group.  While I have a lot of fun with QRP it has always been here at the home QTH and nothing portable.  Well I got invited to a SOTA activation a few weeks ago and I am totally hooked on the idea of working portable so now I am trying to put together a kit which includes a better transceiver.  I currently have 2 QCX 5w transceivers and have been watching the news on the Icom 705 when I saw a comparison on the KX2/3 and started looking toward the Elecraft.  I am very impressed with the features and reviews and I have decided I would prefer to support a US manufacturer.  I am also happy to see one of the owners here participating in the forum, which I could not expect from one of the "other three" manufacturers.
>>> 
>>> So with most of my operating to be done portable, but not being someone who is overly concerned about weight, I am leaning toward the KX3.  Here are a few questions:
>>> 
>>> 1) I see there are optional filters for the KX3 - is there any option for filters on the KX2?  How does it affect usability when in a high RF noise environment? (for example having the KX2 with no filter)
>>> 
>>> 2) is there any problem with running an external battery?  I have a Bioenno 12v 12Ah pack that works great with my current setup.
>>> 
>>> 3) How useful is the 2M option on the KX3 in making summit contacts during SOTA?  Is that the main purpose for this unit or is it to have an "all-in-one" for the "shack-on-the-belt" VHF types?  I don't operate much VHF but I think it would be handy to have a 2M yagi on the KX3 during SOTA in case the HF conditions are not favorable.
>>> 
>>> 4) I have done well buying used radios in the past and I see some KX3s listed and selling quickly lately.  Is there a service available where you can send a used radio in for a "tune-up" or just to bring it up to current spec?  Is that even necessary?
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance for any help with this.  I already have a fully decked out KX2 waiting in the online shopping cart but I'm hesitant to push the button :D  Also I guess they are backordered so maybe I should just watch the list for a used one?
>>> 
>>> 73 
>>>  
>>> Brian - W6BRY
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