Bonding KX3/PX3/KXPA100 - any examples?

[David Orman]

Hi,

After reading Jim/K9YC's helpful documentation, as well as various
suggestions on this and other lists, it's clear bonding equipment together
is a good plan. I'm curious to see _how_ people have done this with their
KX3/PX3/KXPA100 combinations, as in what points (thumbscrews for the feet?
something else?) they are bonding together, using what kind of braid/wire,
and how they've got everything put together in general. I searched Google
with minimal luck finding any such examples, and I think it would be useful
for the group to see some good examples of how things should be done.

Thank you,
David/K5DJO
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[John Huggins, kx4o]

I wish I had more pictures, but this one...

  http://www.hamradio.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150627-009.jpg

...from my FD article...

  http://www.hamradio.me/activities/kx4o-1b-battery-va-field-day-2015.html

...shows a strap of copper running behind all the gear shown roughly
following K9YC's advice.

I used some 1/4 inch braid I found somewhere, crimped some lugs on each
end and connected each chassis to the strap.

The RigBlaster connects via one of its case mounting screws.

The PX3 and KX3 connect via one of the chassis thumbscrews.

Not shown is a 5V linear regulator to power my USB splitter from a Pb
equiv. battery.  It uses the copper strap as the heatsink.  This works
quite well.

I've never encountered the noisy conditions that Jim's steps help
mitigate, but I think it is a good idea regardless.

John, kx4o

On Fri, June 3, 2016 14:14, David Orman wrote:

> Hi,
>
>
> After reading Jim/K9YC's helpful documentation, as well as various
> suggestions on this and other lists, it's clear bonding equipment together
>  is a good plan. I'm curious to see _how_ people have done this with
> their KX3/PX3/KXPA100 combinations, as in what points (thumbscrews for the
> feet? something else?) they are bonding together, using what kind of
> braid/wire, and how they've got everything put together in general. I
> searched Google with minimal luck finding any such examples, and I think
> it would be useful for the group to see some good examples of how things
> should be done.
>
> Thank you,
> David/K5DJO

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[John Kramer]

Thanks for the picture of your FD setup

That first picture reflects one thing I hate about my KX3 and PX3 - when you have
everything hooked up, it is one mass of wires everywhere.
The KX3 and PX3 is a fantastic pair in every other way, but dang, I can’t handle
the crows nest that it creates.

If there is ever a KX3 MKII, I think Wayne needs to look at cutting down on the number
of separate cables going everywhere…and if possible tuck the connectors into the
back of the radio, not the sides….it just makes it far worse with the cables coming
out the sides.
One thing that could be done, is combine the 12v DC supply for the KX3 and PX3,
so they don’t require their own  DC supply. And their could be a single wiring
loom, and perhaps make use of a USB cable for connectivity.

73
John







On 3 Jun 2016, at 7:24 PM, John Huggins, kx4o <[hidden email]> wrote:

I wish I had more pictures, but this one...

 http://www.hamradio.me/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150627-009.jpg

...from my FD article...

 http://www.hamradio.me/activities/kx4o-1b-battery-va-field-day-2015.html

...shows a strap of copper running behind all the gear shown roughly
following K9YC's advice.

I used some 1/4 inch braid I found somewhere, crimped some lugs on each
end and connected each chassis to the strap.

The RigBlaster connects via one of its case mounting screws.

The PX3 and KX3 connect via one of the chassis thumbscrews.

Not shown is a 5V linear regulator to power my USB splitter from a Pb
equiv. battery.  It uses the copper strap as the heatsink.  This works
quite well.

I've never encountered the noisy conditions that Jim's steps help
mitigate, but I think it is a good idea regardless.

John, kx4o

On Fri, June 3, 2016 14:14, David Orman wrote:

> Hi,
>
>
> After reading Jim/K9YC's helpful documentation, as well as various
> suggestions on this and other lists, it's clear bonding equipment together
> is a good plan. I'm curious to see _how_ people have done this with
> their KX3/PX3/KXPA100 combinations, as in what points (thumbscrews for the
> feet? something else?) they are bonding together, using what kind of
> braid/wire, and how they've got everything put together in general. I
> searched Google with minimal luck finding any such examples, and I think
> it would be useful for the group to see some good examples of how things
> should be done.
>
> Thank you,
> David/K5DJO

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[Jim Brown-10]

On Fri,6/3/2016 10:54 AM, John wrote:
> That first picture reflects one thing I hate about my KX3 and PX3 - when you have
> everything hooked up, it is one mass of wires everywhere.
> The KX3 and PX3 is a fantastic pair in every other way, but dang, I can’t handle
> the crows nest that it creates.

I've bundled the interconnections using small Ty-Wraps for the KX3, PX3,
and KXPA100. Elecraft has very nicely provided interconnect between the
KXPA100 and the KX3 using a single CAT5 cable with standard wiring for
everything but power and RF.

73, Jim K9YC

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