AMEN to this. I've had my KX3 since they started shipping the kits and installed the KXBC3 as soon as I could get one. I've been doing Elecraft demo's at hamfests for a few years now and I usually have the KX3 on external power and if I don't have an antenna connected, I have a dummy load hooked up. I keep the power set to 10 watts and it always amazes people who haven't seen the KX3 before when I accidentally (deliberately) yank the external power plug and the rig stays operating but the power automatically reverts to 5.0 watts. This rig is about as bulletproof as Wayne could make it.
The only major thing they slipped up on in the beginning has been taken care of by an aftermarket product by a company called "Gems Products" and it's the SideKX protective end panels and the Lexan cover that help keep the knobs & display from getting banged up in transport. The Eneloop batteries have been in my KX3 since it was built and I've NEVER had them self-discharge enough to cause the KX3 to shut down and I use it often. I don't usually charge them until the pack's indicated voltage gets down to around 9.3 volts under load and then an 8 hour charge puts things back to where it was. You DO have to have at least 13 volts of external power to be able to charge them with the KXBC3. Any less and they may not charge properly. Even a big 12 volt external battery pack simply won't provide proper operation of the charger. Jim - W0EB > >> IMHO, Sanyo Eneloop 2000 cells are the best value out there. >> They work well and are Low Self Discharge (LSD) cells. They are >> available at Costco, or on-line from various Amazon suppliers. >> Sanyo really got the chemistry right, and I highly recommend them >> along with the KXBC3, especially if this is your first experience >> with NiMH cells. IMHO, the higher capacity non-LSD cells simply >> aren't worth the trouble of trying to keep them charged. >> >> Simply put, the Eneloops work good and last a long time. I have >> beat them up in home use for several years now, and they are >> great so long as you don't run them below about 0.9v/cell. The >> KX3 will make sure that doesn't happen. ______________________________________________________________ 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
