[Elecraft] KX3 Option Advice Wanted

[Julia Tuttle]

Hey Glen,

Here's my take on KX3 options and such:

KXAT3 is absolutely worth it. It will tune *anything* and is super easy to
use. (Looking at you, Icom, where pushing the button turns the tuner on and
off and you have to hold it to run a tuning cycle.)

KXBC3 is okay. I use the NiMHs more like a backup, for things like moving
the radio around while it's on or temporarily unplugging the power supply
to avoid some RFI. If you actually want to operate off battery seriously,
I'd get an external lithium ion battery from Bioenno.

(Do not trust the RTC in the KXBC3; it has been terribly inaccurate in my
experience, and even a $10 wristwatch would do better. You might get some
use out of it if you make sure to set it every time you sat down to operate
and you really don't want a separate clock.)

I don't have the KX3-2M, but I wouldn't consider it myself based on the low
power output. If you want to do specialized VHF work, and you're willing to
throw an external amp at it, you might want it.

I don't have the KXFL3, but I'm a casual enough operator that I'm not sure
I'd be able to speak to the benefits anyway.

Not options in the same sense, but some other Elecraft accessories:

KXPD3 is great. It doesn't hold a candle to external paddles made by
companies that specialize in them, but it is unbeatable in compactness and
convenience.

PX3 is good. It's integrated with the KX3 well, and if you've used and
liked a panadapter before, this will make you happy. My only nit is that
the hardware integration is cluttered (power to both the KX3 and PX3, ACC1
serial between the two, and RX I/Q signals between the two).

I don't have the KXPA100, but I've heard it's also integrated well and is a
solid amp. Big downside is the price; last I checked, you can spend about
half as much and get the same functionality if you don't need the right
Integration. Nonetheless, if I did want a 100W amp for my KX3, I'd splurge
and get it.

And some third party accessories:

SideKX side panels (and cover) from GEMS Products are, in my opinion,
mandatory. I am much comfier throwing my KX3 in a backpack with them. They
do make the front panel slightly more cramped, but it's worth it to me.

PAE-KX32 heatsink from Pro Audio Engineering is, as Eric said, great if you
want to run the KX3 at full power out and 100% duty cycle for digital
modes. Not necessary, but makes a noticeable improvement, especially if you
point a small fan at it.

PAE-KX33 power supply from PAE works, packs much smaller than a desktop
power supply, and hasn't caused any RFI problems for me. Worth it if you're
going to be travelling to places with mains power but no existing shack
power supply to borrow.

Hope the wall of text helps! Questions welcome if you've got any.

73,

Julie

On Mon, May 2, 2022, 12:48 Eric Garner <garnere at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a KX3 fully loaded (KXFL3, KXAT3, KXBC3, KX3-2M) the only one I
> would skip if I had to do it over is the KXBC3. The NiMH batteries just
> don't have the oomph to justify adding them for me and having the RTC
> doesn't really matter to me, your needs might be different. I just use an
> external LiFePO4 pack for power.
> The Pro Audio Engineering heatsink addon (
> https://proaudioeng.com/oos-pae-kx32-ultimate-heatsink-kit-elecraft-kx3/)
> is nice if you will be running digimodes without an external amplifier.
>
> Eric KI7LTT
>
> On Mon, May 2, 2022 at 9:31 AM Glen Reid <greidone at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I am contemplating the purchase of a KX3.  Looking for input from users
> on
> > which options I should consider.
> > Thanks es 73
> > gr
> > K5FX
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> --
> --Eric
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> Eric Garner
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