K3, KX3, and FD

[Edward A. Dauer]

I used the K3-KPA500 on 10-15-20 during the day and the KX3-KXPA100 on 40
overnight, and so had a good chance to compare them, albeit subjectively
and on different bands at different times.  Both setups performed
flawlessly, and the K3¹s new synths were impeccable at QRQ. While the K3
is clearly capable of more sophisticated signal manipulation than the KX3,
as a practical matter the receivers in the two were equally useful for the
FD runs (I operated 100% CW).  I could have used the KX3 receiver the
whole time and likely would not have accomplished any less.  Amazing, what
that little brick can do.  The PX3, however, is not the equal of the P3,
at least not for my operating style.  When the fixed tune becomes
available (I have not uploaded the beta version of the F/W) maybe that
will change, but without it the PX3 just isn¹t as powerful a tool for me
as the P3 is.

As for conditions, from my operating position (at elevation 8,600 feet
just west of the Continental Divide in Colorado) conditions were
remarkably good for this part of the cycle and this season.  At about 1:30
local (19:30 Z) Sunday, however, the MUF seemed to drop like a rock.  Ten
meters went dead in a matter of minutes, except for  the NS path to LU/PY.
 15 followed it and then within 30 minutes or so 20 became very quiet, and
stayed that way until the contest period ended.  Did anyone else observe
the same?  The change in a short time was notable.

Ted, KN1CBR

>
>Message: 21
>Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:22:59 -0400
>From: Blair Bates <[hidden email]>
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and KSYN3A in FD
>Message-ID:
> <CANgBGxwaG20ME4syFjtbWgEx=ORtinjRaReVvZyPnmMUck=[hidden email]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>Had the opportunity to operate two, different K3 transceivers, both with
>the new KSYN3A boards, during FD.
>
>A few CW observations:
>1.  The only way I became aware of a station moving close to me was when
>my
>"rate" dropped.  A glance at the P3, or opening up the receiver bandwidth,
>always revealed that somebody loud had moved in really close.  Since not
>everyone has K3 . . . my rate fell in what was QRM for other receivers.
>
>2.  The bands seemed really "big".  I was always able to quickly find a
>run
>frequency when moving from another band or mode.
>
>3.  In spite of rainstorms for about 23 hours of FD, the bands seemed
>quiet
>and lightning crackles were quite subdued.
>
>I'm sure that these observations are routine for experienced K3 users.
>For somebody who is still trying to decide, or is still feeding the piggy
>bank, the K3 has one H3LL of a receiver--especially when equipped with the
>KSYN3A board.
>
>73, K3YD

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[Matt Zilmer-3]

Ted,

Just a couple of comments:

Our 2A station used a barefoot K3 throughout FD 2015.  This one is a
newer unit (#7811) with recently-installed KSYN3As.  We operated QRQ
100%, at around 25 WPM for 17 hours.  I noticed the same improved
performance you did.  I'd used an older K3 (#24) with new synthesizers
for a number of months but hadn't put it in a competitive setting like
FD.  Our other station (Kewwood-something-or-other) operator never
complained when we were running on the same band.  But of course if he
accidentally put the Kenwood into TX, he obliterated our RX.  The
KSYN3A's phase noise improvement makes a great tool for multi-station
ops on the same band.  The two stations' antennas were only about 150
feet apart.

The K3 retains its rock star status in the ham world, through constant
improvement.

I also noticed the changed conditions on Sunday morning (6 AM through
Noon, Pacific Time).  20m started weak out here, and 10m opened only a
little bit before FD ended.  I saw 10m shut down, then 15m get very
watery, and finally it was even difficult to get any new action on 20m
right near the end.

73,
matt
W6NIA

On Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:20:50 +0000, you wrote:

>I used the K3-KPA500 on 10-15-20 during the day and the KX3-KXPA100 on 40
>overnight, and so had a good chance to compare them, albeit subjectively
>and on different bands at different times.  Both setups performed
>flawlessly, and the K3¹s new synths were impeccable at QRQ.
<snip>
>
>As for conditions, from my operating position (at elevation 8,600 feet
>just west of the Continental Divide in Colorado) conditions were
>remarkably good for this part of the cycle and this season.  At about 1:30
>local (19:30 Z) Sunday
<snip>

>Ted, KN1CBR
Matt Zilmer, W6NIA
--
"Always store beer in a dark place."  -R. Heinlein

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