KX3 Battery Life

[David Ahrendts]

A quickie: wanna take it on a hike. Got my wire. Got the ATU. Charging up the batteries. Operating SSB QRP @ 5 watts (maybe less), how long would you expect the batteries to last? Operating CW same?

David A., KC0XT



David Ahrendts   [hidden email]  




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[vk2rq]

If you use SSB, and power consumption is a concern, you’re better off running at 3W, since a more efficient output transformer winding is selected, reducing transmit current consumption.  For CW, you can run up to 5W in this power-saving mode. You can tell if the hi-Z winding is selected looking at the displayed power setting and checking for a dot “.” after the “W”. 

-- 
73 de Matt VK2RQ

On 3 March 2015 at 4:55:53 am, David Ahrendts ([hidden email]) wrote:

A quickie: wanna take it on a hike. Got my wire. Got the ATU. Charging up the batteries. Operating SSB QRP @ 5 watts (maybe less), how long would you expect the batteries to last? Operating CW same?  

David A., KC0XT  



David Ahrendts [hidden email]  




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[k6dgw]

I don't have a KX3, but using my K2/10 @ 5W on CW, I've managed steady
operating for at least 2 hrs with an A123 4S1P LiFePO4 rated at 3.5 Ah
and I've never depleted the battery.  I believe the KX3 is a bit more
efficient than the K2.  I also believe if you restrict the power to
2.5W, the KX3 uses a more efficient PA output circuit.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org

On 3/2/2015 9:55 AM, David Ahrendts wrote:
> A quickie: wanna take it on a hike. Got my wire. Got the ATU.
> Charging up the batteries. Operating SSB QRP @ 5 watts (maybe less),
> how long would you expect the batteries to last? Operating CW same?
>
> David A., KC0XT

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[Peter Lambert]

Hello David,

I use the KX3 for SOTA.  Typically about an hour of reasonably hectic (ie hi
TX to RX ratio) is involved.  5W SSB.  It consumes about 1/4 of the battery
pack capacity.  For me these are 2.4Ahr enerloop LSD cells.

Definitely no need to carry extra battery weight unless you're going to be
there for a couple of days.

Regards,
Peter VK4JD

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David
Ahrendts
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2015 3:55 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Battery Life

A quickie: wanna take it on a hike. Got my wire. Got the ATU. Charging up
the batteries. Operating SSB QRP @ 5 watts (maybe less), how long would you
expect the batteries to last? Operating CW same?

David A., KC0XT



David Ahrendts   [hidden email]  




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[Dominic Baines-3]

Matt,

Excellent hint.

You'll find you will NOT need one of the after market or Elecraft
heatsinks either unless already operating in 40'C.

72

Dom
M1KTA

On 02/03/15 19:53, Matt Maguire wrote:

> If you use SSB, and power consumption is a concern, you’re better off running at 3W, since a more efficient output transformer winding is selected, reducing transmit current consumption.  For CW, you can run up to 5W in this power-saving mode. You can tell if the hi-Z winding is selected looking at the displayed power setting and checking for a dot “.” after the “W”.
>
> --
> 73 de Matt VK2RQ
>
> On 3 March 2015 at 4:55:53 am, David Ahrendts ([hidden email]) wrote:
>
> A quickie: wanna take it on a hike. Got my wire. Got the ATU. Charging up the batteries. Operating SSB QRP @ 5 watts (maybe less), how long would you expect the batteries to last? Operating CW same?
>
> David A., KC0XT
>
>
>
> David Ahrendts [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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