[FT817] Vs ELECRAFT

[Edward R Cole]

Ahhh you know it was bound to happen: FT817 vs KX3 and nobody outside
of Elecraft even has a KX3 , yet!

My KX3 purchase totaled $1089.95 before shipping so about $160 more
than I paid for my FT817+CW filter (eleven years ago).  Of course the
2m module and the mobile bracket will bump this up some more, when available.

But with the exception of not having the 70cm band the KX3 promises
so much more.  Enough that I sold my FT817 a month ago in
anticipation for the KX3.

The FT817 ate the 8-cell alkaline battery pack in less than 4-hours
in receive-only (8 nicads 2-1/2 hours).  I gave up using internal
batteries with it.  The KX3 is cited at 140ma vs 300ma for the
FT817.  If one can get a good 8-hour use then that is more
acceptable.  I will probably not use the KX3 in portable mode but use
some exterior 12v source.  Wayne reports that battery/ext source will
be automatically selected (I hope there is also a fixed selection in menu).

FT817 was a three level menu system with only three user buttons
which took a while to get accomplished in programing.  KX3 looks more
friendly (plus I am now familiar with the K3 menu). Control panel was
tight and not friendly on the road.

The FT817 Rx was not that inspiring on HF.  It was OK on 2m & 70cm
SSB and FM. I took it along on quite a few trips by air.  It was a
size that was handy for my portable microwave station (Pelican 1520
case).  The KX3 looks like it will fit in the same
footprint.  Unfortunately, I no longer travel by air with this
package (TSA would lock me up from one look at the HB microwave
stuff).  But I expect no problems traveling with the new KX3.  I do
hope for a hard-shell front panel cover as cramming stuff in the
overhead can crunch stuff on airplanes.  All my luggage is
soft-sided.  One of Rose's bags to enclose all and one it ready to travel.

Another radio that will attract comparison with the KX3 is the
Flex1500.  I made my decision to go with Elecraft over Flex two years
ago.  I'll let others do this comparison.




73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
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[k6dgw]

There is, at the very least, a Master's Thesis, and likely a PhD
dissertation on the social sciences and psychology buried in the
archives of this list :-)

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

On 12/29/2011 11:35 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
> Ahhh you know it was bound to happen: FT817 vs KX3 and nobody outside
> of Elecraft even has a KX3 , yet!
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[Tony Estep]

On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 8:34 AM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:
> There is, at the very least, a Master's Thesis, and likely a PhD
> dissertation on the social sciences and psychology buried in the
> archives of this list :-)
======
You're so right, Fred. No doubt at this very moment some enterprising
academic is applying for a taxpayer-funded grant to write about the
anthropology of internet discussion groups. Of all the ones where I
lurk, this little community is one of the very best. Good info, good
vibes, good spelling/usage, and good entertainment value. Some of the
others -- well, the less said the better.

73, Tony KT0NY
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