Dave, I have a KX3 for field test. There is something eerie, shocking, about how something so tiny performs the way it does. Great fun! But I guess one will eventually get used to it.
Some aspects that will stay with you: The KX3 is designed to sit on a table top, Supported by its rear feet. The display is, at least for now, optimized for viewing from below the perpendicular direction rather than straight on. Great for something you move to different locations (hiding it from the view of the xyl?) but, with wires hanging from the sides, it doesn't create the look of a permanent installation. If you want to hook up a lot of things to it at a given time, you are going to find unavoidable limitations that the K3 doesn't have in terms of size and number of connectors etc. The lack of a second independent receiver is a significant difference, but the KX3 does have dual watch that covers a limited range, and there is no extra charge for it. While you can get a built-in ATU with great range, you only get one antenna connector for HF/6m. There again, if you build a complex station you will have a lot of external things that make the KX3's size advantage less important, and the xyl might find the collection of equipment more unsightly than a single K3 box. Firmware-wise the KX3 is where the K3 was years ago. CW and SSB work great, but if you want FM or AM you will need to wait a little bit. Bottom line: You really want both. The K3 is more expensive, but you could perhaps offset the difference by picking up a used one, or a 10W model, and enjoy it while KX3 production and refinement ramps up. BTW with the conditions we now have on the higher HF bands, it is really easy to work DX with 5 or 10W, even with a poor antenna, as the KX3 has shown me. Years ago someone gave me a little 3 ft baseloaded whip made by Maldol. I hid the shameful thing away in a drawer, knowing that it will radiate only a very tiny fraction of the applied power. Now I tried it for the first time (on the KX3, outdoors) and worked Japan on CW on the first call. Like I said, there is something unreal about it... It definitely gives you more opportunities for hamming. 73, Erik K7TV -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David Stratton Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:45 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] K3/100 or KX3 with all the options My radio needs are very modest for I am not a contester, or DXer, or even one who makes a lot of contacts but I do listen quite a bit. I do like to have a fine radio and presently own one - the Kenwood TS-830S. I have no intention of parting with it. As far as modes go I operate HF primarily SSB and PSK31. I am trying to improve my CW ability however I have a problem with CW. Just like some people have mic fright I have CW contact fright. I like CW but I just can't do it and enjoy it. The final bit of information is the fact that my wife hates amateur radio, which causes me to occasionally put my radio in storage. I will digest all the thoughtful comments many of you made and make my decision. Although I do operate from home, you can see that for me perhaps getting away to the local state park or some other place away from home might provide me with the best operating enjoyment. Doing that would be best accomplished with the KX3. Dave - KO4KL ______________________________________________________________ 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
