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KX-3

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Mike Kasrich

KX-3

Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
putting together a K-3? Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips? and finally I am looking for a KX-3 trying
to decide between new and used. Anyone have a KX-3 they are looking to
part with? Please reply direct to aj9c at indy.rr.com so as not to
clutter the list.

73

Mike/aj9c

p.s. this would be mainly a back up/travel rig. Looking at the IC-7300 too
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Jim Finan

Re: KX-3

KX3 is a bunch easier to build and takes much less time than the K3/K3s. Depending on your options there are some small connectors to deal with but not too bad. Compared to working on a cell phone it is a piece of cake.

You can download the manual(s) from the Elecraft website and check it out.

73,

Jim

Jim Finan
AB4AC ‎
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Original Message
From: Mike Kasrich
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2016 11:41 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX-3

Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
putting together a K-3? Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips? and finally I am looking for a KX-3 trying
to decide between new and used. Anyone have a KX-3 they are looking to
part with? Please reply direct to aj9c at indy.rr.com so as not to
clutter the list.

73

Mike/aj9c

p.s. this would be mainly a back up/travel rig. Looking at the IC-7300 too
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Mike Dodd

Re: KX-3

In reply to this post by Mike Kasrich

On 5/31/2016 11:40 AM, Mike Kasrich wrote:
> Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
> putting together a K-3?

I assembled both. The K3 is more involved than the KX3, but both were
straightforward. The instructions and parts lists are top-notch for both
rigs.

> Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
> with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips?

Yes to both. Both play very well with N1MM+. I haven't noticed any
quirks. On SSB contests with non-variable exchanges (i.e., no serial
number), I recorded messages in the KX3's two DVR memories. This allowed
me to operate in one mode (e.g., S&P or run), but I needed more DVR
memories to record messages for the opposite mode. The K3s has more DVR
memories, so I expect to be able to use four of them.

I did NOT record .wav files and play them through the rig for total
voice automation. I don't like the typical pause between spoken letters
and numerals. W....1....A....W FIVE NINE NUMBER....THREE....SEVEN....TWO

If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB sound
card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio interface
or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that rig.

My KX3 currently is in storage, and is not for sale.

Hope this helps.

--
73, Mike N4CF
Louisa County, VA USA
Elecraft K3s/100
Carolina Windom up 45'
http://n4cf.mdodd.com
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Nr4c

Re: KX-3

In reply to this post by Mike Kasrich

The KX3 (no "-") requires a lot less assembly than a k3. And it connects almost like K3 to computer. Major missing items are no DTR-RTS available on serial connector and no dedicated Lin In/Out.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On May 31, 2016, at 11:40 AM, Mike Kasrich <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that putting together a K-3? Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips? and finally I am looking for a KX-3 trying to decide between new and used. Anyone have a KX-3 they are looking to part with? Please reply direct to aj9c at indy.rr.com so as not to clutter the list.
>
> 73
>
> Mike/aj9c
>
> p.s. this would be mainly a back up/travel rig. Looking at the IC-7300 too
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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bhemmis

FS: K3 transceiver w/ options

In reply to this post by Mike Dodd

Selling my K3. Serial # 6625.

Includes the following options:

KPA3 100 watt amp module
KAT3 Antenna Tuner module
KXV3 RX Antenna, XVRTR interface, IF Tap board
PR6 6 meter preamp
400Hz 8 pole CW Filter
2.8 kHz 8 pole SSB filter
13 kHz AM/FM 8 pole filter
MH2 Hand Mic
Power cable
Computer interface cable
All manuals plus Fred Cady KE7X manual

Radio is in perfect cosmetic & operating condition. Always used indoors and I’m a non-smoker. Didn’t see a lot of use as I have several radios and am only at this QTH half the year. You’ll be pleased.
$ 2395 includes FedEx Ground shipping CONUS. Friends & family PayPal OK too. If you’d prefer to demo & pick up the radio at my suburban Cleveland, OH QTH that’s fine too. I’m also willing to remove some of the options (mic,filters & preamp) to reduce your cost.

Brian K3USC (since 1962)
home phone 216-848-0211
cell phone 814-866-2585

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KX-3

In reply to this post by Mike Dodd

> If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB
> sound card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio
> interface or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that
> rig.

Unfortunately, since the KX3 (and KX2) lack dedicated Line In/Ln Out
jacks, interfacing headphones and a mic at the same time as a sound
card for DVK and/or RTTY/PSK is nearly impossible. That significantly
limits the suitability of the KX3 (and KX2) as a serious contest rig
even if one discounts the 20 dB *higher* transmit phase noise of the
KX3 (comparison of composite noise test data of K3/100 [Feb 2009 >
1 KHz.] vs. KX3 [Dec 2012]) or nearly double the keying bandwidth at
60 WPM of the KX3 vs. K3 (same two product reviews).

The K3 is cleaner at 1 KW than the barefoot KX3.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 5/31/2016 11:58 AM, Mike Dodd wrote:

> On 5/31/2016 11:40 AM, Mike Kasrich wrote:
>> Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
>> putting together a K-3?
>
> I assembled both. The K3 is more involved than the KX3, but both were
> straightforward. The instructions and parts lists are top-notch for both
> rigs.
>
>> Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
>> with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips?
>
> Yes to both. Both play very well with N1MM+. I haven't noticed any
> quirks. On SSB contests with non-variable exchanges (i.e., no serial
> number), I recorded messages in the KX3's two DVR memories. This allowed
> me to operate in one mode (e.g., S&P or run), but I needed more DVR
> memories to record messages for the opposite mode. The K3s has more DVR
> memories, so I expect to be able to use four of them.
>
> I did NOT record .wav files and play them through the rig for total
> voice automation. I don't like the typical pause between spoken letters
> and numerals. W....1....A....W FIVE NINE NUMBER....THREE....SEVEN....TWO
>
> If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB sound
> card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio interface
> or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that rig.
>
> My KX3 currently is in storage, and is not for sale.
>
> Hope this helps.
>

Barry K3NDM

Re: KX-3

Joe,
I use the aux out on my SignaLink USB to go to my powered speakers.
I can hear simultaneously what I'm decoding using the built in sound
card. I found this is the easiest to do and requires nothing other than
invoking the digital software I use, no cable changes. There is one
exception, the mic input is used for input from the SignaLink. This very
same path is used for non-digital modes.

If I go voice contesting I can switch over to my Heil Pro headset
with mic and use a foot switch. I would do the same whether I used a
KX2, KX3, or K3. In fact, I did the same when I used my Orion II.

I use my KX3 for contesting, both as a base with the matching
KXPA100 or QRP on Field Day. I find that the radio is as competitive and
as any radio used for SOAB; the limitations in my scoring is operator
and not radio.

My experience in contesting, seriously, is not the KX3, but some of
the really poor signals and poor operation of the other stations. For
instance, the key clicks from Yeasu rigs are a real pain if the station
is strong. And, our local power company is the other limitation.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 5/31/2016 2:41:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX-3

>
>>If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB
>>sound card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio
>>interface or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that
>>rig.
>
>Unfortunately, since the KX3 (and KX2) lack dedicated Line In/Ln Out
>jacks, interfacing headphones and a mic at the same time as a sound
>card for DVK and/or RTTY/PSK is nearly impossible. That significantly
>limits the suitability of the KX3 (and KX2) as a serious contest rig
>even if one discounts the 20 dB *higher* transmit phase noise of the
>KX3 (comparison of composite noise test data of K3/100 [Feb 2009 >
>1 KHz.] vs. KX3 [Dec 2012]) or nearly double the keying bandwidth at
>60 WPM of the KX3 vs. K3 (same two product reviews).
>
>The K3 is cleaner at 1 KW than the barefoot KX3.
>
>73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>On 5/31/2016 11:58 AM, Mike Dodd wrote:
>>On 5/31/2016 11:40 AM, Mike Kasrich wrote:
>>>Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
>>>putting together a K-3?
>>
>>I assembled both. The K3 is more involved than the KX3, but both were
>>straightforward. The instructions and parts lists are top-notch for
>>both
>>rigs.
>>
>>>Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
>>>with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips?
>>
>>Yes to both. Both play very well with N1MM+. I haven't noticed any
>>quirks. On SSB contests with non-variable exchanges (i.e., no serial
>>number), I recorded messages in the KX3's two DVR memories. This
>>allowed
>>me to operate in one mode (e.g., S&P or run), but I needed more DVR
>>memories to record messages for the opposite mode. The K3s has more
>>DVR
>>memories, so I expect to be able to use four of them.
>>
>>I did NOT record .wav files and play them through the rig for total
>>voice automation. I don't like the typical pause between spoken
>>letters
>>and numerals. W....1....A....W FIVE NINE
>>NUMBER....THREE....SEVEN....TWO
>>
>>If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB
>>sound
>>card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio
>>interface
>>or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that rig.
>>
>>My KX3 currently is in storage, and is not for sale.
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>______________________________________________________________
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>
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wayne burdick

Re: KX-3

Administrator

In reply to this post by Mike Kasrich

Joe,

The KX3, KX2, and K3/K3S should have virtually the same keying bandwidth. They all use the same raised-cosine keying envelope shape, and this is by far the dominant factor unless the transmit final amplifier is being overdriven.

We looked at this in independent reviews and our in-house plots. The keying BW looks pretty much the same on all three rigs. The 100 W K3 may be a tiny bit better, but there's nowhere near "twice" the difference.

The K3S (or K3 with KSYN3A upgrade) does have the edge in composite, wide-band transmit phase noise. RMDR for the K3S (or K3+KSYNA) is roughly the same.

Wayne

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KX-3

> We looked at this in independent reviews and our in-house plots. The
> keying BW looks pretty much the same on all three rigs. The 100 W K3
> may be a tiny bit better, but there's nowhere near "twice" the
> difference.

While the graphs in QST are not the best in the world, I'm comparing
the K3 and KX3 at -60 dB. At that level the "outside" of the K3 is,
at most +/- 300 Hz while the KX3 is at least +/- 500 Hz.

In any case, the published composite noise level of the K3 - even with
the original synthesizer - is equal to the KX3 at 2 KHz while it is in
some cases as much as 25 dB better in the 10 - 100 KHz range. While it
might not be an issue at 10 - 15 Watts, that's a whole lot of phase
noise when run into the KX3 into a KXPA100 to drive a "full gallon".

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 5/31/2016 4:12 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Joe,
>
> The KX3, KX2, and K3/K3S should have virtually the same keying
> bandwidth. They all use the same raised-cosine keying envelope shape,
> and this is by far the dominant factor unless the transmit final
> amplifier is being overdriven.
>
> We looked at this in independent reviews and our in-house plots. The
> keying BW looks pretty much the same on all three rigs. The 100 W K3
> may be a tiny bit better, but there's nowhere near "twice" the
> difference.
>
> The K3S (or K3 with KSYN3A upgrade) does have the edge in composite,
> wide-band transmit phase noise. RMDR for the K3S (or K3+KSYNA) is
> roughly the same.
>
> Wayne
>
>

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KX-3

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

> I use the aux out on my SignaLink USB to go to my powered speakers. I
> can hear simultaneously what I'm decoding using the built in sound
> card. I found this is the easiest to do and requires nothing other
> than invoking the digital software I use, no cable changes.

Yes, you can use a "splitter" and amplified speakers to connect both
the sound card and headphones while maintaining separate audio levels
but that should not be necessary.

Similarly, one can connect the microphone to the computer (sound card)
and use the sound card's mute/select switches and analog monitor (if
available) to switch between mic and line sources but again it should
not be necessary.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 5/31/2016 3:26 PM, Barry LaZar wrote:

> Joe,
> I use the aux out on my SignaLink USB to go to my powered speakers.
> I can hear simultaneously what I'm decoding using the built in sound
> card. I found this is the easiest to do and requires nothing other than
> invoking the digital software I use, no cable changes. There is one
> exception, the mic input is used for input from the SignaLink. This very
> same path is used for non-digital modes.
>
> If I go voice contesting I can switch over to my Heil Pro headset
> with mic and use a foot switch. I would do the same whether I used a
> KX2, KX3, or K3. In fact, I did the same when I used my Orion II.
>
> I use my KX3 for contesting, both as a base with the matching
> KXPA100 or QRP on Field Day. I find that the radio is as competitive and
> as any radio used for SOAB; the limitations in my scoring is operator
> and not radio.
>
> My experience in contesting, seriously, is not the KX3, but some of
> the really poor signals and poor operation of the other stations. For
> instance, the key clicks from Yeasu rigs are a real pain if the station
> is strong. And, our local power company is the other limitation.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: 5/31/2016 2:41:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX-3
>
>>
>>> If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB
>>> sound card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio
>>> interface or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that
>>> rig.
>>
>> Unfortunately, since the KX3 (and KX2) lack dedicated Line In/Ln Out
>> jacks, interfacing headphones and a mic at the same time as a sound
>> card for DVK and/or RTTY/PSK is nearly impossible. That significantly
>> limits the suitability of the KX3 (and KX2) as a serious contest rig
>> even if one discounts the 20 dB *higher* transmit phase noise of the
>> KX3 (comparison of composite noise test data of K3/100 [Feb 2009 >
>> 1 KHz.] vs. KX3 [Dec 2012]) or nearly double the keying bandwidth at
>> 60 WPM of the KX3 vs. K3 (same two product reviews).
>>
>> The K3 is cleaner at 1 KW than the barefoot KX3.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 5/31/2016 11:58 AM, Mike Dodd wrote:
>>> On 5/31/2016 11:40 AM, Mike Kasrich wrote:
>>>> Has anyone put together a KX-3 kit. Is any more or less involved that
>>>> putting together a K-3?
>>>
>>> I assembled both. The K3 is more involved than the KX3, but both were
>>> straightforward. The instructions and parts lists are top-notch for both
>>> rigs.
>>>
>>>> Anyone use a KX-3 in a contest and interfaced
>>>> with N1MM+? Any quirks/tips?
>>>
>>> Yes to both. Both play very well with N1MM+. I haven't noticed any
>>> quirks. On SSB contests with non-variable exchanges (i.e., no serial
>>> number), I recorded messages in the KX3's two DVR memories. This allowed
>>> me to operate in one mode (e.g., S&P or run), but I needed more DVR
>>> memories to record messages for the opposite mode. The K3s has more DVR
>>> memories, so I expect to be able to use four of them.
>>>
>>> I did NOT record .wav files and play them through the rig for total
>>> voice automation. I don't like the typical pause between spoken letters
>>> and numerals. W....1....A....W FIVE NINE
>>> NUMBER....THREE....SEVEN....TWO
>>>
>>> If I could get rid of the pauses, I could use the K3s built-in USB sound
>>> card. The KX3 doesn't have one, so I'd need an external audio interface
>>> or sound card if I wanted total voice automation with that rig.
>>>
>>> My KX3 currently is in storage, and is not for sale.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps.
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>