All, The improvement in communications effectiveness of 20 watts verses 10 watts is valid - much more than the 3 dB increase in power would seem to suggest. I have seen the same results as with my SG-2020 as was mentioned below. Part of the effectiveness of that particular radio is the VOGAD speech processor as well. A similar algorithm for the KX3 speech process might be something to consider later.
A small 30W PA with antenna tuner that would mount to the back of the KX3 would be simply amazing. Include a larger rechargeable battery pack and it probably couldn't get much better - IMHO 73 Gene K1NR K2 6Kxx On Mon, 6 Jun 2011 08:26:14 -0700 Wayne Burdick <n...@elecraft.com> wrote: > We could offer a KXPA30 amplifier to deal with the need > for more power > in a much smaller size. But not anytime soon.... > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > On Jun 6, 2011, at 8:10 AM, juergen wrote: > > > > > Hi Dave > > > > The point you make about the added complexity is valid. > > > > However from a communications effectiveness point of > 20 watts is a > > much more realistic power level, especially for SSB > QSO's. Most of > > the Mil Manpacks use this output power level. > > > > I operate portable using mil HF manpacks with the power > varying > > between 20 and 30 watts. I also have a SGC2020. 95% of > the time on > > the first call I can get through and have the standard > cookie > > cutter qso's and move on. If you try and do the same > with 10 watts > > its very frustrating and much more of a struggle. These > are NA Q's > > not local stuff. 5 to 10 watts is good power level for > CW. For SSB > > 20 watts is far more effective, even with simple whips. > Everyone > > will say its only 3db, however that 3db makes a huge > difference when > > using simple antennas especially on SSB. > > > > While the AMP might be the answer, looking at the > projected images > > and size, it will be a huge hassle carrying another box > around. If > > you consider the size of Yaesu FT857, which runs a full > 100 watts of > > output and its design is very neatly integrated into a > tiny > > package, the KX3 with an external amplifier will be > awkward by > > comparison. > > > > A FT857 with some AA batteries was carried to the top > of Mount > > Kilimanjaro by HB9BXE. The operator successfully had > many qso at 20 > > watts of output. He probably would not have packed a > KX3 and > > amplifier if it was available then. > > > > I dont see why a duplicate of the KX3's PA could mot > be offered as > > a piggy back box with another set of 8 batteries. I > would rather > > follow that option than the 100 watt linear option. It > certainly > > would be a lot smaller and portable than the 100 watt > PA. I am sure > > many homebrewers will explore this option. > > > > Anyway time will tell. There is always the > hombrew/modification > > option. The KX3 has a lot of potential and the design > is 98% there. > > > > 73 > > John > > > > --- On Mon, 6/6/11, Dave KQ3T <k...@comcast.net> wrote: > > > >> From: Dave KQ3T <k...@comcast.net> > >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 vs. K3 and other rigs? > >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >> Date: Monday, June 6, 2011, 6:40 AM > >> Here are a couple of additional > >> factors to consider. > >> > >> 1. Increasing the output power to 20 or 30 watts would > have > >> an impact on > >> either the weight of the KX3 (more batteries needed to > >> maintain a > >> desired battery life) or the battery life (the > existing > >> batteries would > >> not last as long at the higher power level). > >> > >> 2. It is much easier to add an external power > amplifier, if > >> desired, > >> than to significantly improve receiver performance at > a > >> later date. > >> > >> 73, > >> Dave, KQ3T > >> > >> On 6/6/2011 12:25 AM, juergen wrote: > >>> Hi Kristinn > >>> > >>> What i dont get is why people expect so much > >> performance from a > >>> so called portable rig. A rig designed for portable > >> operation generally uses poor antennas and is > optimized for > >> weight, size and battery life. > >>> > >>> While its nice having great receiver specifications, > >> you do have to be realistic about the real world > >> requirements that is placed on the receiver when > operating > >> portable. > >>> > >>> For me battery life, convenience and power output are > >> very important requirements rather than world beating > >> receiver specifications. > >>> I would gladly have 30 watts output over > >> ultimate receiver performance. Most military manpacks > run 20 > >> to 30 watts for good reasons. > >>> > >>> 10 watts and a wire in the tree type of operation > does > >> not demand a receiver with 100db of IMD dynamic > >> range. > >>> > >>> If the KX3 does deliver incredible receiver > >> performance for a bargain price I wont say NO, however > I can > >> live with lesser receiver performance when operating > with > >> marginal antennas. > >>> > >>> What I would prefer to see is an antenna tuner that > >> will tune a 9 to 13 ft whip on all bands, or > alternatively a > >> end fed wire on all bands. A low noise figure receiver > >> is important when using short portable antennas. > >>> > >>> We all waiting for the KX3 tech specs with > >> baited breath. Time will tell whether we will get a > 10,000 > >> dollar contest radio that fits into the palm of your > hand! > >> After all my years of operating, I have yet to have my > DC > >> receiver overload on 40 meters when operating portable > with > >> full size low dipoles. > >>> > >>> 73 > >>> John > >>> > >> > >> > ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >> > >> 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: > http://www.qsl.net/donate.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- Web mail provided by NuNet, Inc. 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