[Elecraft] KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi contesting?

[Drew Arnett]

To follow up.

Had a 20m cw station 3 elements 56 ft up.  I spent some time with the
GOTA station using my KX3 on 20m phone with 3 elements 30 ft up.
Preamp off, att off.  210 ft separation.

Could faintly hear the CW as broad background noise, but only
detectable, not strong or bothersome.  No thumping.  Could have been a
function of how clean/dirty the CW transmitter is than anything else.
So, in this situation, completely fine coexistence.

Yes, I'd still prefer a richer set of performance numbers from bench
measurement of both radios, but then it's like work instead of hobby.
:-)

Anyway, the GOTA operator who had never made a QSO before was tossed
into the deep end of the pool of trying to work SSB phone during the
madhouse that we call Field Day.  :-)  When he was done, he said he
wasn't a fan of the extreme challenge of FD contesting.  I told him he
should try any other day of the year.  And I'm sure he will.  Could be
he's really a CW op.  Maybe he'll find out.  Sitting with him and
coaching him through the patience and the 20 million subtleties, I was
impressed watching him bust through the pileups some of the loud
stations on 20 had going.  Got one by pausing before dropping call and
another by picking up on an out of rhythm cue.  When he was picked out
of the horde, the QSOs themselves were easy.

Best regards,

Drew
n7da

On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 2:23 AM Drew Arnett <arnett.drew at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Anyone try a KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi HF contesting like Field
> Day?  How does the RX hold up with loud signals on other bands?  Plan
> to run external band pass filters of course.  The KX-3 is so great at
> everything else.  And it's great for single op HF contesting.  Just
> wondering if it will fold in a strong signal environment.
>
> Thanks and best regards,
>
> Drew
> n7da