[Elecraft] TCXO

[Andy Durbin]

"What are the uses for the TCXO option in a K3? Why would I want one?"

TCXO means "Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator".   You need one if the frequency drift caused by rig temperature change causes a problem at the frequencies, and with the modes, you operate.  Leave the rig powered all the time in a temperature controlled environment and you may not need one.  If you turn on a stone cold rig and expect to operate before the temperature stabilizes then you probably do, especially  with narrow band digital modes.

Temperature Compensated tells you nothing about the accuracy of the oscillator frequency.  It just says how much the frequency will change with temperature.  I don't know what TCXO are compatible with the K3 but there are some quite nasty "TCXO" being purchased by Kenwood TS-590 owners.  Frequency stability with temperature is only one measure of a TCXO.  Spectral purity is at least as important.

Andy, k3wyc