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KX3 Heat Sink

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KX3 Heat Sink

I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts, and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay. Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what products in your opinion are the best?

Thanks,JimW7JHR

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k2ud

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

Of all of the aftermarket KX3 heatsinks, the VE7FMN has the most surface area and mass- read that, it will be the coolest albiet heaviest heatsink you can add to the rig. I have one on mine, run RTTY and PSK31 a lot and never notice much in the way of heat at all with the heatsink.

Look at http://VE7FMN.CA for more info.

72

Howard Kraus, K2UD
---- Jim Ruff via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts, and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay. Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what products in your opinion are the best?

Thanks,JimW7JHR

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k1szo

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Hi Jim,

I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes.
I looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a
new improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.

So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or
the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets
before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find
any reviews of it.

I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to
purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a
replacement.

Regards,
David ~ K1SZO

On 2017-08-04 14:10, Jim Ruff via Elecraft wrote:

> I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts,
> and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost
> hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay.
> Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what
> products in your opinion are the best?
>
> Thanks,JimW7JHR
>
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Ken G Kopp

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

My preference is for the ProAudio Engineering sink.

FWIW

73

Ken - K0PP

On Aug 4, 2017 3:09 PM, <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Jim,
>
> I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes. I
> looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a new
> improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.
>
> So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or
> the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets
> before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find
> any reviews of it.
>
> I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to
> purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a
> replacement.
>
> Regards,
> David ~ K1SZO
>
> On 2017-08-04 14:10, Jim Ruff via Elecraft wrote:
>
>> I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts,
>> and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost
>> hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay.
>> Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what
>> products in your opinion are the best?
>>
>> Thanks,JimW7JHR
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> 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]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

Administrator

In reply to this post by k1szo

David,

The new heat sink roughly doubled key-down time in our lab tests. I’d suggest you try it as-is before investing in a third-party heat sink. I use RTTY at full power on my KX3 with just the new stock heat sink and have never had an issue.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Aug 4, 2017, at 2:08 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes. I looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a new improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.
>
> So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find any reviews of it.
>
> I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a replacement.
>
> Regards,
> David ~ K1SZO
>
> On 2017-08-04 14:10, Jim Ruff via Elecraft wrote:
>> I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts,
>> and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost
>> hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay.
>> Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what
>> products in your opinion are the best?
>> Thanks,JimW7JHR
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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David Haines

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

Wayne. What serial number did you first install the new heat sink on
the KX3?

73,
David
KC1DNY

On 8/4/2017 7:42 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> David,
>
> The new heat sink roughly doubled key-down time in our lab tests. I’d suggest you try it as-is before investing in a third-party heat sink. I use RTTY at full power on my KX3 with just the new stock heat sink and have never had an issue.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>> On Aug 4, 2017, at 2:08 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> Hi Jim,
>>
>> I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes. I looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a new improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.
>>
>> So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find any reviews of it.
>>
>> I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a replacement.
>>
>> Regards,
>> David ~ K1SZO
>>
>> On 2017-08-04 14:10, Jim Ruff via Elecraft wrote:
>>> I've been doing a lot of FT-8 using my KX3 and my KXPA100 at 20 watts,
>>> and have noticed that the KX3 is heating up quite a bit and is almost
>>> hot to the touch. The KXPA100, while warm, appears to be okay.
>>> Should I consider purchasing a heat sink for the the KX3? If so, what
>>> products in your opinion are the best?
>>> Thanks,JimW7JHR
>>> Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> 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]
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> 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]

Rose

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Hi Wayne,

Can the new / current KX3 heatsink be swapped / added to an early KX3?

73

Ken - K0PP

On Aug 4, 2017 17:43, "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> wrote:

David,

The new heat sink roughly doubled key-down time in our lab tests. I’d
suggest you try it as-is before investing in a third-party heat sink. I use
RTTY at full power on my KX3 with just the new stock heat sink and have
never had an issue.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Aug 4, 2017, at 2:08 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes.
I looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a
new improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.
>
> So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or
the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets
before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find
any reviews of it.
>
> I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to
purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a
replacement.
>
> Regards,
> David ~ K1SZO
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

Administrator

Yes (easily).

Wayne
N6KR

> On Aug 4, 2017, at 4:54 PM, Rose <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Wayne,
>
> Can the new / current KX3 heatsink be swapped / added to an early KX3?
>
> 73
>
> Ken - K0PP
>
> On Aug 4, 2017 17:43, "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> wrote:
> David,
>
> The new heat sink roughly doubled key-down time in our lab tests. I’d suggest you try it as-is before investing in a third-party heat sink. I use RTTY at full power on my KX3 with just the new stock heat sink and have never had an issue.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> > On Aug 4, 2017, at 2:08 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> >
> > Hi Jim,
> >
> > I recently purchased my KX3 and intend on doing a lot of digital modes. I looked into 3rd party heatsinks, but was notified that Elecraft uses a new improved heatsink that wraps around the bottom of the KX3.
> >
> > So my question to you is, do you have the newer KX3 Elecraft heatsink or the older model? I was going to work mine first to see how hot it gets before making a move if the newer heatsink is acceptable. I can't find any reviews of it.
> >
> > I will definitely be watching this thread to figure out if I too want to purchase the 3rd party Pro Audio Engineering KX32 Ultimate Heatsink as a replacement.
> >
> > Regards,
> > David ~ K1SZO
>

Raymond Sills

Re: KX3 Heat Sink

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

I have the PAE heat sink as well. Very pleased with it.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]>
To: k1szo <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft <[hidden email]>; Jim Ruff <[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, Aug 4, 2017 5:14 pm
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Heat Sink

My preference is for the ProAudio Engineering sink.

FWIW

73

Ken - K0PP

On Aug 4, 2017 3:09 PM, <[hidden email]> wrote:

______________________________________________________________
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w4sc-2

KX3 Heat Sink

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Hi Jim,

I purchased the PRO-Audio KX31 heat sink for my KX3.

After looking at the available designs at the time, the choices were narrowed to two. The KX31, and VE7 designs. The larger ultimate KX32 and VE7,nor the improved Elecraft designs were available at the time.

The deciding reason I chose the KX31 over the available VE7 design was aesthetic. I liked the “rounding over” of the dissipating fins and that the tool access to the mounting screws were on centers that did not cut through any fins. The differences between the cost negligible, and performance, are extremely small.

73 de Ben W4SC
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