I have my new KXBC3 installed in KX3 S/N 125, and all seems to be working as it should. I'm definitely glad to have it, but must admit that I was very content with the KX3 without it. The ability to easily monitor battery voltage and select the charging time is very nice. And the internal clock is a great feature also, and will be very slick for getting QSOs accurately logged while out in the bush!
It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to become super knit-picky about batteries, and I'm not going to do that, but I do plan to continue using non-rechargeable Lithium batteries for my occasional mountain top hikes. They definitely provide more punch than the NiMH variety, and, thus far have always seemed capable of supporting a few good hours of operation while using a solid 5.0 watts on transmit. They're also much lighter than NiMH .. My KX3 (without paddle) with 8 AA lithium batteries installed weighs 31 oz., but when it's loaded with 8 AA NiMH batteries it weighs 3.5 oz more: 34.5 oz. (that's an 11.3% weight increase). That may not seem like much, but when you're carrying a backpack up a steep hill every little bit does make a difference to a 69 year old geezer like me. For everyday KX3 operation I've been using a small external power supply (the Radio Shack 3 amp switcher).. Or a big heavy deep cycle battery that I sometimes haul in my truck.. So for normal use I'll keep a set of NiMH batteries installed, and keep them charged and ready with the KXBC3 . but before my next hike they'll be replaced by Lithiums with the menu appropriately configured to 'CHG OFF'. Don, N5LZ ______________________________________________________________ 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
