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K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

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Edward A. Dauer

K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

I know this is largely a matter of opinion, but I welcome that of anyone
who is familiar with both the K3 series and the KX3 series:

I operate at two QTHs. At one I run the K3 (with subRx etc) plus KPA500,
KAT-500, and P3. That one is staying as-is.

At the other QTH I have been using a KX3, which has the advantage of
portability (mobiling) but I find the QRP limiting when I can¹t get to the
first QTH during a contest. The choice
then is to add the KXPA100 with KXAT100 to the KX3, or to simply replace
the KX3 with another K3 (barefoot) at the 2nd QTH.

So far as prices go for kits similarly equipped (to the extent possible),
the barefoot K3/100 with P3, no sub-Rx, internal ATU, KXV3A and just
enough filters for CW only, would be about $3,480, plus cables and other
goodies.

A KX3 with optional filter, ATU, PX3, and a KPA100 with the 100W tuner,
plus pwr supply, comes to about $2,760, also plus other accessories.

That¹s about a $700 difference, for the KX3 system vs the K3/100 system.
(Even though I already own the KX3 system, I find this cost-to-cost a
useful comparison.)

So, if a CW-only, DX-and-contest oriented Op wanted a 100W transceiver /
panadapter system from Elecraft for a 2nd QTH, what does the extra $700
buy? What factors to take into account in making the choice? One other
complication - now retired, I may try to do some holiday style DX
operating in easily-accessed tropical climes. Is a K3 plus DC supply (2
pcs) much more of a traveling burden than a KX3 / KXPA100 plus power
supply (3 pcs)?

Thanks,

Ted, KN1CBR

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Re: K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

Ed,

One can have a heck of a lot of fun with just a KX3 in a warm DX
location.

Check out (if you have access) my article on the topic in the Sept/Oct
2014 National Contest Journal. This is not readily available online,
but I could send you a scanned PDF.

I was able to fit my full station in half of a carry-on suitcase. I
operated both from the beach and from the room. The room location was
less than great in part due to electrical noise (wall warts power the
internet routers for the rooms, among other things. On future trips I
may not take stuff to operate from there, which would further reduce
the stuff to carry.

73 - Jim K8MR

-----Original Message-----
From: Dauer, Edward <[hidden email]>
To: elecraft <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sat, Jan 3, 2015 5:58 pm
Subject: [Elecraft] K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

<snip>

So, if a CW-only, DX-and-contest oriented Op wanted a 100W transceiver /
panadapter system from Elecraft for a 2nd QTH, what does the extra $700
buy? What factors to take into account in making the choice? One other
complication - now retired, I may try to do some holiday style DX
operating in easily-accessed tropical climes. Is a K3 plus DC supply (2
pcs) much more of a traveling burden than a KX3 / KXPA100 plus power
supply (3 pcs)?

Thanks,

Ted, KN1CBR

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer

Ted,

If you will always operate at the 100 watt level, I will suggest that
you will be happier with the K3/100 with KAT3. Quicker and easier to
set up at your 'portable' location.
OTOH, if you also want the flexibility of operating QRP with a handheld
transceiver that can be powered from batteries, then the KX3 with
KXPA100 and KXAT100 would be the better solution.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/3/2015 5:57 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote:

> I know this is largely a matter of opinion, but I welcome that of anyone
> who is familiar with both the K3 series and the KX3 series:
>
>
> I operate at two QTHs. At one I run the K3 (with subRx etc) plus KPA500,
> KAT-500, and P3. That one is staying as-is.
>
>
> At the other QTH I have been using a KX3, which has the advantage of
> portability (mobiling) but I find the QRP limiting when I can¹t get to the
> first QTH during a contest. The choice
> then is to add the KXPA100 with KXAT100 to the KX3, or to simply replace
> the KX3 with another K3 (barefoot) at the 2nd QTH.
>
>

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

In reply to this post by Edward A. Dauer

For contesting I believe you'd find the more
robust receiver of the K3/100 to be a real plus, Ted.

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/3/15 2:57 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote:

> So, if a CW-only, DX-and-contest oriented Op wanted a 100W transceiver /
> panadapter system from Elecraft for a 2nd QTH, what does the extra $700
> buy? What factors to take into account in making the choice? One other
> complication - now retired, I may try to do some holiday style DX
> operating in easily-accessed tropical climes. Is a K3 plus DC supply (2
> pcs) much more of a traveling burden than a KX3 / KXPA100 plus power
> supply (3 pcs)?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Ted, KN1CBR

Ignacy

Re: K3/100 vs KX3-KPA100

KX3 may be a good option when you can use a 500W-1KW amplifier directly and when the speech processor in KX3 is mature.

There are low-drive options circulating for ALS600 and KPA500, and forthcoming (for 2 years) 15 lb Expert 1.3K has a module that requires only 1-2 watts for full power.

In SSB the last time I tried, KX3 was getting 2-3 S lower reports than K3 at same peak power level. There was a firmware revision recently but apparently not big changes.

Ignacy, NO9E