I don't have either a KX3 or PX3, and my 2m work is limited to FM, but
the problems that you describe could be due to various fixable problems.
For example, some P3s had spur problems due to bad electrical contact
between parts of the enclosure, as well as improperly attached BNC
connectors on the cable between the P3 and K3. I suggest that before you
make any expensive decisions that you contact [email protected]. I'm
sure they will take your issues seriously.
73,
Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO
Rehovot, Israel
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
Vic
On 27 May 2015 20:26, David Anderson wrote:
I bought a KX3 and PX3 with a view towards using them with an
external high performance transverter for 144MHz (with an IF of
14MHz). My main interest being weak signal operation on VHF. The
ability to use the I/Q outputs with a sound card or PX3 and the
excellent receiver performance in reviews seemed to indicate this
would meet my needs.
Unfortunately it looks like this is not going to work out for me, as
the level of radiated noise at VHF from both the PX3 severely masks
weak signals, there is also a huge radiated birdie from the KX3 near
144.4MHz.
Turning on the PX3 and listening on 144MHz gives bands of noise
every few kHz which mask weak signals in the noise and I can liken it
to listening to the 6m band with a Band 1 TV transmitter putting out
video sidebands over the band.
Without the PX3 switched on I can hear distant beacons in the noise,
but they are buried by the PX3 when it is switched on and plugged in
to the KX3. The antenna is 60 feet away from the rigs and is fed by
Heliax. Have tried separate supplies for transverter and PX3, running
from batteries on KX3, nothing seems to reduce the QRM from the PX3
to an acceptable level.
There also is a huge S9 spurious near 144.4 from the KX3 that is
independent of band/freq/mode. Confirmed by listening on another
receiver in the shack.
It is so hugely disappointing, I had looked forward to this day,
having finally got my rotator and antenna back up on the tower I am
faced with looking for another rig to drive the 2m transverter.
Unfortunately I don't think it will be Elecraft. Perhaps Elad might
be an alternative, but I need to consult the weak signal VHF
community first. I will keep the KX3 and PX3 for QRP HF work most
likely as selling it at a loss would be a bitter alternative.
On HF where the band noise and signal strengths are much higher I
don't find the same problems, though there are still spurious signals
shown on the PX3 there. I could live with them I think, but on what
is a nice quiet 144MHz band here, the racket from the PX3 is
impossible to put up with.
Incidentally I wonder what causes that big birdie near 144.4 from the
KX3, and if is it related to the similar one reported on the K3?
There doesn't seem to be a lot of commonality between the designs.
Sorry if this sounds like I am trolling, I am not, I love the
Elecraft ethos and products, it is just they don't appear to work for
my specific needs. Unfortunately it wasn't possible to try before you
buy here and I ended up being the guinea pig.
73
David Anderson GM4JJJ
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