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Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

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ny4g

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

The K2/100 is a nice entry level station - good ears and a price point about $900 less than a K3/100. I have both the k2/100 and a KX3. For the same reason that Duane says, it is nice to have the 100w amp. If one chooses the KX3, one can build a Juma 100w amp for about 420 euros. A fellow ham has built one and it appears to work very well.

Ariel NY4G

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 17, 2012, at 2:59 PM, "tom betka" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Hi Duane,
>
> Yes, I agree about the 100-watt amplifier option. A guy wouldn't have to use it if it wasn't needed, but if it is needed it will sure be nice to have it. So it indeed seems to be a prudent investment at this point, even if it adds more to the initial cost than I initially planned. I guess it also saves the trouble of adding it in later...
>
> Thanks for the post.
>
> TB
>
>> From: [hidden email]
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:57:20 -0700
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
>>
>> Hi Tom,
>> I'm still running a barefoot K2 (cw only) with an amp I can add on when
>> needed.
>> After reading your last post (below) I agree with you that is sounds
>> like good logic to outfit yourself with a radio that you can immediately
>> have fun with.
>> So the SSB mode and additional CW mode sounds like it would support that
>> well.
>> On the question of whether to have more than QRP wattage, I can only
>> relate that I love to see the K2 working a station barefoot.
>> However, there are those times when I've connected with a station that
>> I'm really excited about, and that station is struggling to get reliable
>> copy.
>> Its wonderful at times like that to be able to flip a switch and bring
>> up my signal.
>> I had just that situation the other night and the station thanked me for
>> turning on the amp.
>> It might set your wallet back a little on the temporary.
>> But when you have it, you may be glad you opted for the 100-watts up
>> front. :)
>>
>> Duane - N1BBR
>>
>
>
>
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af9w

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

In reply to this post by Ignacy

I used RUMped with native KX3 CW support for the AZ Qso Party and it works really well. I also use it with RUMlog for daily use.

Bob AF9W

On Oct 17, 2012, at 12:12 PM, Ignacy wrote:

> Matt,
> Did you use a separate USB/serial cable? Perhaps, a third party will come
> with one USB/serial cable that has extra wires, possibly with some small
> circuits like yours, that do the radio connection, CW and PTT simultaneously
> Rumlog does software CW with KX3 but I don't know how well.
>
> Did you run KX3 standalone in the Oceania contest?
>
> I worked in Oceania CW last year as VK2/NO9E. Worked some 180 QSOs in 2-3
> hrs using IC7000+ long wires. Got up last Sunday morning (6 AM GMT) and
> worked 15 stations with K3. Amp needed.
>
> 73,
> Ignacy
>
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:44 PM, Matt Maguire <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> On 18/10/2012, at 1:06 AM, Ignacy <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I own both K3 and KX3.
>>
>> K3 is mature radio. Works very well. But the design is a few years old.
>>
>> KX3 is new radio with new design.
>> ...
>> The contest programs
>> cannot easily send CW without extra hardware (with exceptions).
>
> I actually used N1MM with the KX3 in the Oceania DX CW contest last weekend
> (and in the
> Oceania DX SSB contest the weekend before). It was the first time I had used
> a contesting program to generate CW, and I discovered that N1MM is a
> powerful program. To get it to work with the KX3, all that was required was
> a trivial circuit with just a single transistor and single resistor, which
> is pretty easy. In the end I'll probably get a Winkeyer or similar, but the
> simple transistor interface was a quick and easy way to get on the air and
> give automated CW contesting a go.
>
> 73, Matt VK2ACL
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564245.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
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Bob Stephens AF9W

Mike Herr

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

In reply to this post by KF9QL

Both are fine rigs, and you would be happy with either, from an
operating point of view. I feeling is it all depends upon what your
goals in ham radio are - what do you want to be able to do. If you
might be doing portable, hiking, DXpeditons, traveling and yes, in the
car, I think the KX3 is the rig to go. The K3 is great on performance
but the size would lose in the end. From a performance point of view
the K3 probably has a lead over the KX3 but I gotta say, I am
extremely impressed with the performance of the KX3 to date,

For me, the KX3 wins - because I can do so much more with it and I
believe I am not sacrificing performance wrt to the K3.

I do a lot of traveling and the KX3 is the ticket. But, if I were to
have just a rig for the house, never move it, I think I would still go
for the KX3.

Mike Herr
WA6ARA
DM-15dp
Home of The QRP Ranch
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KF9QL

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Thanks to all who responded to my thread earlier this week. With your help (especially Dwight, NS9I whose incredible shack I visited the other day), and after a few conversations with David Shoaf at Elecraft, I have decided on a K3. I finalized and placed the order today for the K3/100 unit, along with the internal antenna tuner and the IF module so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. All that is left now is to arrange transfer of the funds, and the thing should get shipped to me next week...with luck. I have a few things to do on my end anyway, as I don't even have an antenna mounted yet. So it will be a couple weeks before I am on the air anyway--but I'll get there soon enough. I have waited 8-10 years to "get back into HAM radio," so another couple of weeks isn't the end of the world by any means.
On another note, I recently received a set of the Gordon West Extra Class course materials, and have started studying for the upgrade. I've been studying electronics for the past month or two anyway, so with any luck I'll get prepared for the Extra class upgrade by the end of the year as well.
Anyway, just wanted to again say thanks for all the opinions rendered by you folks. This newsgroup (reflector) is an excellent resource, and I plan to keep hanging out and learning!
TB73, de KF9QL
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N4OI - Ken

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

KF9QL wrote

[...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de KF9QL

One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, "I was blind and now I see." The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very smooth and intuitive.

I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very pleased with my K3 - P3 setup!

73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI
K1, K3, P3

KF9QL

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Right...good points. I ordered the module needed to support either the P3 or the LP-PAN, but I didn't make the final decision just yet. But still, the LP-PAN wouldn't be a bad way to go for less money, and then just add the monitor to another video card. The monitor would be needed for the P3 anyway, and I have an extra video card. So a guy might just try it with the LP-PAN at first, and then upgrade to the P3 later, if the spirit moves him...
Thanks for the post.
TB

> Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:17:17 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
>
> KF9QL wrote
> > [...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de
> > KF9QL
>
> One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the
> big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the
> K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, "I was blind
> and now I see." The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an
> extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying
> to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very
> smooth and intuitive.
>
> I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my
> PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very
> pleased with my K3 - P3 setup!
>
> 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI
> K1, K3, P3
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564357.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Gary K9GS

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Hello Tom,

I went back and forth on this too....buy a P3 and SVGA adapter or an LP-Pan.

I finally decided to go the P3 route for several reasons:

1) It's self contained and I don't have to tie up the shack computer
running another application. I already have two monitors on the shack
PC and screen real estate is already an issue sometimes. Putting LP-Pan
into that mix just complicates things too much.

2) The LP-Pan requires a high end sound card for maximum performance.
I'd have to add the cost of that into the equation.

3) My shack computer is more than adequate for ham radio purposes,
logging program, telnet for packetcluster, etc. If I went the LP-Pan
route, however, I'd probably need to upgrade the computer. That's a big
additional expense and headache just to use the LP-Pan. If you throw
digital modes into the mix, say for a RTTY contest, you're putting a lot
of processing burden on one computer.

4) Several friends have K3's and P3's and they rave about them....the
integration with the K3 is flawless.

So, I plan on buying a P3, SVGA adapter and a big dedicated monitor in
the near future. In the end you have to decide and do what's best for
your particular situation.

On 10/20/2012 11:10 AM, tom betka wrote:

> Right...good points. I ordered the module needed to support either the P3 or the LP-PAN, but I didn't make the final decision just yet. But still, the LP-PAN wouldn't be a bad way to go for less money, and then just add the monitor to another video card. The monitor would be needed for the P3 anyway, and I have an extra video card. So a guy might just try it with the LP-PAN at first, and then upgrade to the P3 later, if the spirit moves him...
> Thanks for the post.
> TB
>
>> Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:17:17 -0700
>> From: [hidden email]
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
>>
>> KF9QL wrote
>>> [...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de
>>> KF9QL
>> One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the
>> big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the
>> K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, "I was blind
>> and now I see." The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an
>> extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying
>> to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very
>> smooth and intuitive.
>>
>> I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my
>> PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very
>> pleased with my K3 - P3 setup!
>>
>> 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI
>> K1, K3, P3
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564357.html
>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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>

george fritkin

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Yesterday I had a personal demo at Elecraft by Paul, their P3 engineer of the P3 SVGA. All I have to say is WOW!!!! Why would anybody, with a K3, consider anything else.

George, W6GF

Love my 2 K3s and my KX3 S/N 0123

________________________________
From: Gary K9GS <[hidden email]>
To:
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Hello Tom,

I went back and forth on this too....buy a P3 and SVGA adapter or an LP-Pan.

I finally decided to go the P3 route for several reasons:

1) It's self contained and I don't have to tie up the shack computer
running another application. I already have two monitors on the shack
PC and screen real estate is already an issue sometimes. Putting LP-Pan
into that mix just complicates things too much.

2) The LP-Pan requires a high end sound card for maximum performance.
I'd have to add the cost of that into the equation.

3) My shack computer is more than adequate for ham radio purposes,
logging program, telnet for packetcluster, etc. If I went the LP-Pan
route, however, I'd probably need to upgrade the computer. That's a big
additional expense and headache just to use the LP-Pan. If you throw
digital modes into the mix, say for a RTTY contest, you're putting a lot
of processing burden on one computer.

4) Several friends have K3's and P3's and they rave about them....the
integration with the K3 is flawless.

So, I plan on buying a P3, SVGA adapter and a big dedicated monitor in
the near future. In the end you have to decide and do what's best for
your particular situation.

On 10/20/2012 11:10 AM, tom betka wrote:

--

73,

Gary K9GS

Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org

************************************************

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KF9QL

Re: Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3

Dwight (NS9I) showed me his LP-PAN set-up this past week, and it's very nice indeed. I would have absolutely no problem going with that either. I was advised by David at Elecraft that the K3 module needed (I forgot the part number) is needed regardless if you go with the LP-PAN or the P3 itself...so I figured that I really couldn't go wrong either way. So I just ordered the module for the K3 and will install it. I have a Mackie 1640 Onyx firewire sound board, and that will work just fine as a sound interface. So either way, I'm good. I just have bigger fish to fry right now, with the radio itself and then installing a zero-five 30' flag pole antenna in the yard and running the coax and ground radial system. The "P3 vs LP-PAN" contest will have to wait a couple months, lol.
The P3 looks brilliant though, with that external monitor. Very impressive indeed!
TB

> Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:58:12 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
>
> Yesterday I had a personal demo at Elecraft by Paul, their P3 engineer of the P3 SVGA. All I have to say is WOW!!!! Why would anybody, with a K3, consider anything else.
>
> George, W6GF
>
> Love my 2 K3s and my KX3 S/N 0123
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Gary K9GS <[hidden email]>
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 10:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
>
> Hello Tom,
>
> I went back and forth on this too....buy a P3 and SVGA adapter or an LP-Pan.
>
> I finally decided to go the P3 route for several reasons:
>
> 1) It's self contained and I don't have to tie up the shack computer
> running another application. I already have two monitors on the shack
> PC and screen real estate is already an issue sometimes. Putting LP-Pan
> into that mix just complicates things too much.
>
> 2) The LP-Pan requires a high end sound card for maximum performance.
> I'd have to add the cost of that into the equation.
>
> 3) My shack computer is more than adequate for ham radio purposes,
> logging program, telnet for packetcluster, etc. If I went the LP-Pan
> route, however, I'd probably need to upgrade the computer. That's a big
> additional expense and headache just to use the LP-Pan. If you throw
> digital modes into the mix, say for a RTTY contest, you're putting a lot
> of processing burden on one computer.
>
> 4) Several friends have K3's and P3's and they rave about them....the
> integration with the K3 is flawless.
>
> So, I plan on buying a P3, SVGA adapter and a big dedicated monitor in
> the near future. In the end you have to decide and do what's best for
> your particular situation.
>
>
> On 10/20/2012 11:10 AM, tom betka wrote:
> > Right...good points. I ordered the module needed to support either the P3 or the LP-PAN, but I didn't make the final decision just yet. But still, the LP-PAN wouldn't be a bad way to go for less money, and then just add the monitor to another video card. The monitor would be needed for the P3 anyway, and I have an extra video card. So a guy might just try it with the LP-PAN at first, and then upgrade to the P3 later, if the spirit moves him...
> > Thanks for the post.
> > TB
> >
> >> Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:17:17 -0700
> >> From: [hidden email]
> >> To: [hidden email]
> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft newbie considering K3 vs KX3
> >>
> >> KF9QL wrote
> >>> [...] so that I can use an LP-PAN and external monitor. [...] TB73, de
> >>> KF9QL
> >> One suggestion: you may want to consider the P3 (and if you really want the
> >> big screen, include the P3SVGA) instead of the LP-PAN. I assembled the
> >> K3/100 and P3 combo a couple of weeks ago and all I can say is, "I was blind
> >> and now I see." The nice thing about the P3 is that it feels like an
> >> extension of the K3 and vice versa. Its not like the P3 controls are trying
> >> to replace those on the K3 front panel, they merely augment them -- very
> >> smooth and intuitive.
> >>
> >> I looked hard at the LP-PAN alternative and decided that I wanted to keep my
> >> PC for logging and spotting -- not for controlling my radio. I am very
> >> pleased with my K3 - P3 setup!
> >>
> >> 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI
> >> K1, K3, P3
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-newbie-considering-K3-vs-KX3-tp7564208p7564357.html
> >> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
>
> --
>
>
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
>
> ************************************************
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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