Fair enough, I am very happy with my KX3, a third party heatsink made it work for me on digital modes at the power I need. I mainly use it on 144 MHz currently with an external transverter. I actually enjoyed doing the temperature compensation procedure, it was fun.
The 817 is a nice all in one rugged box, however you can't compare the ergonomics or receive performance with the KX3. Compromises have been made in the KX3 to make it small as a trail radio, a much bigger heatsink would not have been appreciated by hikers. They did upgrade the heatsink (a bit) in later models however. The KX2 uses the si5351 instead of the si570 synth, so in theory could use an external high stability reference. I prefer some of the features in the KX3 that the KX2 doesn't have, and like the larger size, AM FM, 50 MHz, PX3 option, internal 4m transverter option. So for me the choice remains the KX3. Good to have a choice though. The new internal battery pack is about the only thing in the KX2 that I wish the KX3 had. 73 from David GM4JJJ > On 30 May 2016, at 12:50, D Howard <va...@me.com> wrote: > > David > I thought at the price I paid for the KX3 I shouldn't have to do the > compensation nor run the KX3 at such reduced power once compensated. My > trusty old FT817 worked fine. > I also assumed Elecraft would address the issue with an updated KX3 -ie an > 'KX3s' at some point. > So I sold it awaiting the 'upgrade' which turned out to be the KX2 ! > Which is far more stable out of the box. > I'm happy to now order a KX2! > 73/72 > Dan VA3MA > >> On May 30, 2016, at 4:01 AM, David Anderson <gm4...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> >> Dan , >> >> I am surprised that you couldn't get WSJT to go with your KX3 and had to >> sell it. >> >> I am using my KX3 (note not a KX2) on WSJT on 144 MHz EME JT65b. I did >> however do the extended temperature VFO compensation first and that perhaps >> is a key requirement. The KX3 was actually more stable than my original 144 >> MHz transverter's TCXO, which I had to replace with a better TCXO to get the >> transmit drift to satisfactory levels. >> >> >> 73 from David GM4JJJ >> >>> On 30 May 2016, at 04:45, D Howard <va...@me.com> wrote: >>> >>> Luke >>> I too sold my KX3 for the same reason- no WSJT. >>> Happy to see KX2 capable with care >>> Dan >>> >>>> On May 29, 2016, at 11:20 PM, Luke <auric...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> I just tried JT9 actually and had no problems. If you head over to >>>> PSKReporter and type in my call sign you can see how it's been working for >>>> me this evening. It seems to heat up a little faster using JT9, but it's >>>> still managable. I don't mind taking a few minutes between QSO's to let >>>> things cool off. From my understanding Gemsproducts.com already has KX2 >>>> side handles in the works and I will definitely pick some up and see how >>>> they work. I can only imagine that any more metal on the side to pick up >>>> some extra heat will only be a good thing. >>>> >>>> Luke >>>> AD0KI >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: Dan - VA3MA <va...@me.com> >>>> To: Luke <auric...@yahoo.com> >>>> Cc: Elecraft <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >>>> Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2016 9:14 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 on JT65 & JT9 ?? >>>> >>>> Luke >>>> Thanks - just what I needed to know! >>>> Have you tried JT9 ? >>>> Perhaps some sort of heatsink/handles added to the case might help?? >>>> 73 >>>> Dan VA3MA >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2016-05-29, at 22:37, Luke <auric...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hmm, not sure why it cut out my message. Here's what I wrote: >>>> >>>> I've used my KX2 on WSPR and JT65 and it appears to be plenty stable. I >>>> used to have a KX3 and sold it because it wouldn't decode WSPR between >>>> transmit cycles due to excessive drift. I've kept the KX2 to <5 watts >>>> because the right sideplate gets very hot with the high duty cycle. >>>> >>>> I've actually just been sitting here running JT65 @ 10 watts when I got >>>> your email, and it is doing pretty well. I had 3 back to back QSO's and on >>>> the last transmission the PA Temp got up to 47C (~117F) which doesn't seem >>>> too bad. As it cools off there is no drifting or slanting of signals on >>>> the waterfall either. I think the 1 minute on/off duty cycle of JT65 is >>>> very doable with the KX2, and WSPR might be pushing it. The other night >>>> the sideplate got quite hot running WSPR at 5 watts. >>>> >>>> Luke >>>> AD0KI >>>> >>>> >>>> From: Dan - VA3MA <va...@me.com> >>>> To: Luke <auric...@yahoo.com> >>>> Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2016 8:12 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 on JT65 & JT9 ?? >>>> >>>> Luke >>>> No content???? >>>> >>>>> On May 29, 2016, at 8:51 PM, Luke via Elecraft <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>> 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 >>>>> Message delivered to va...@me.com >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> Message delivered to gm4...@yahoo.co.uk >> ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
