The KX-3 is smaller and lighter than the TS-480 head. I do have a great deal of respect for the TS-480 - its a great rig and excellent as a mobile. I don't know how the receivers will compare once the KX3 is actually released. Personally, I expect the KX3 to be in the performance class of the FLEX-1500 - which is pretty good. I agree with your point that the KX3 configuration makes it a true multi-purpose rig. I can't think of anything else that I could pull out of my truck and go into the field with as a real Trail-Friendly-Radio. Pretty remarkable concept when you think about it. Now just give me a way to operate 2 meter FM with it as well so I could leave my hand-held home. The closest is my FT-817 with the 100 watt PA mounted under the seat. It works, but the receiver is not too great. I think you painted a good picture of how the KX3 will probably be a winner for some people.
Doug -- K0DXV On 5/25/2011 7:26 PM, WILLIS COOKE wrote: > I tried to figure out how to mount my K3 in my F-150 but could not figure out > a > good way to mount it. It is just a little bit larger than a Kenwood TS-440, > so > I tried to use a TS-440 mount, but it was just a bit small. So, I mounted the > TS-440 in the mobile and it worked fair, but it did not have the optional > tuner > and the dial was almost impossible to see in the sunlight. It was really too > big to mount on the front of the console and made me look down when driving. > I > needed something else. > > I looked at the Elecraft offerings and did not see a fit for me. So, I > bought a > TS-480SAT which seemed to be the best fit for what I wanted. I liked the > split > architecture for mobile use. Now, just as I got the 480 installed the KX3 > appears. I like the idea of a battery powered QRP rig with a separate > amplifier > which can be under the seat. I have not seen the actual dimensions yet, but > the > main KX3 seems to be about the same size as the TS-480 control unit and in > fact > looks a lot like the TS-480. I like the idea of an operator being able to > drive to the camping area in his 100 watt mobile, removing the main KX3, > putting > it is his pack and hiking up the mountain for some QRP action, then bragging > about it while driving home in the 100 watt mobile. > > > I trust that the Elecraft gang will be able to equal and probably noticeably > exceed the performance of a TS-480. I am confident that the mounting hardware > will be developed and offered. The price in in the same range as the TS-480 > if > the prices that I have heard are close. It seems like a product with the > potential to make a lot of operators happy and fill a big need. > Willis 'Cookie' Cooke > K5EWJ& Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
