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KX3 Serial 328 On Air For Field Day - The True Value of Elecraft

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Bruce W1UJR

KX3 Serial 328 On Air For Field Day - The True Value of Elecraft

Just a quick note about the KX3 - I love it!
I won't spend your time writing a review here, others far more skilled than myself have already done
a stellar job doing so. Rather I'd like to share the true value of Elecraft to me.
Even more than the rig, I love Elecraft's customer service, allow me to explain.

My kit arrived about two weeks ago, midweek, put up the gratification of the build until
that weekend. All went together well, but the "SPOT" button required extra effort to make
work, and when it did work its operation was spotty. Also the unit would go into the TX
mode on it's own, on a random basis. I'm one of the Elecraft builders, so I did normal
static precautions on the build, so no fault there.

Quick note to the good folks at Elecraft last week, explaining I'd like to use the rig on
Field Day, not less than two Elecraft support folks got involved and sent me a replacement
control board, RF board, and filter board (they need to be changed at the same time as
they are matched - so I was explained to me).

Replacement boards arrived mid last week, I assembled it the next evening, all working 100%.
They were kind enough to supply return shipping labels, and though I asked them to ding my
credit card for their security shipping the items, not sure they did.

As much as I love the product, I even more appreciate the customer service.
If you've ever tried to get something warrantied through the "Big 3" amateur
manufacturers, you'll know what I mean. Over the years I think I've purchased
and built just about everything Elecraft offers, and built many, many radios
for others, nary a hitch when a problem comes up. The folks at Elecraft
could not be nicer or easier to work with. The staff is concerned, engaged,
creative, and I put the company on par with the operations end of Apple Computer.

Yes, there are some delays shipping products from time to time, I'm on the list
for the new KAT-500 tuner, but I'd much rather see things ship when they are ready,
then ship a less than perfect product. Here's another thought, Elecraft is one of the few
electronics firms which does not readily obsolete products, almost everything they have
offered has some sort of upgrade path to the latest and greatest version. Example, buy an
early K1, they offer enhancements, component improvements, backlight upgrades, replacement sheet metal,
you name it, top notch customer service.

I see my choice of Elecraft gear as not just a providing joy for myself and other ops, but as an investment
in the future of amateur radio innovation!

Cordially,
Bruce J. Howes W1UJR
www.W1UJR.net

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Phil Shepard

KX3 Field Day observations

Field Day this weekend was the first real test of my new KX3 (s/n 268).
Before Saturday it had only seen light picnic table use and one SOTA peak
activation. How did I like it during FD? This is one sweet little radio!
I operated somewhat casually in a search and pounce mode, with 90% of the
QSOs on CW and the rest on SSB.

The bands were crowded and busy. I used the internal ATU to match to a 40M
EDZ (180' of wire center fed with ladder line). The combination played
well. I particularly enjoyed cutting the bandwidth back to 500 Hz or less
(the radio has the roofing filter option) and tuning from one station to the
next which were generally in the clear as width was lowered below 500 Hz.
The CWT made spotting easy and the radio almost acted channelized as I moved
from one CQing station to the next. My 5 Watt signal generally got through
on a call or two to these "isolated" stations. The noise was cut way back
and even 40M at night was pleasant to the ear.

The obvious tuning noise was not a problem as I generally was not tuning
quickly along the band. I would like to see that noise reduced in a future
s/w release, however. The message memories made contest style operation
easy, leaving the bencher paddling to short work. This was nice since my
usually poor fist was not helped by the cool, wet conditions we had.

The current requirements are very low at 5W with the rig in low power
options. The 75 Ah lead acid battery loafed along for the whole time. The
rig Vin never dropped below 12V. That is good since the mostly overcast and
rainy conditions didn't generate much from the solar panel.

All in all, this is a great portable rig, even for contest conditions.
Thank you to Elecraft!

73,
Phil, NS7P

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

Administrator

Thanks for the report, Phillip. We had two KX3s at our FD site (K6SRA)
with similar results.

Regarding VFO tuning noise, did you try using RX SHFT on the affected
band(s)? This turns out to be very effective, especially in
combination with VFO NR. Both menu entries can be set up per-band, and
are typically needed only the highest bands.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 24, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote:

> Field Day this weekend was the first real test of my new KX3 (s/n
> 268).
> Before Saturday it had only seen light picnic table use and one SOTA
> peak
> activation. How did I like it during FD? This is one sweet little
> radio!
> I operated somewhat casually in a search and pounce mode, with 90%
> of the
> QSOs on CW and the rest on SSB.
>

Phil Shepard

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

I did try those and they work. It wasn't a real issue for me, since I was
not doing many fast QSYs. Usually used freq entry for that. It's a great
portable rig! My K2 may get lonely now, hi hi.

73,
Phil, NS7P

-----Original Message-----
From: Wayne Burdick [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 7:25 PM
To: Phillip Shepard
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Day observations

Thanks for the report, Phillip. We had two KX3s at our FD site (K6SRA)
with similar results.

Regarding VFO tuning noise, did you try using RX SHFT on the affected
band(s)? This turns out to be very effective, especially in
combination with VFO NR. Both menu entries can be set up per-band, and
are typically needed only the highest bands.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 24, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote:

Barry K3NDM

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

I received my KX3 about a week ahead of FD. Therefore, I hadn't much experience with it. We were running 2A on solar power; the other rig was a K2.

FWIW: The features in the KX3 allowed me to about double my QSO rate as compared to the K2 and other rigs I have used. My general impression is that the KX3 makes an ideal, or nearly so, FD radio. We ran 546 Q's on these two radios. Why didn't we do better? Operator fatigue. Had we had maybe three more operators we probably could have made 1000 Q's. And, we were QRP!!!

What was amusing is the comment of one of our operators. He is a QRO contest op who likes to run full legal limit. He kept commenting that he couldn't believe what we were doing at 5W. Oh, yes. He owns a K3.

Wayne/Eric,
You guys done good!! The KX3 is a keeper!

Vy 73,
Barry
K3NDM

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]>
To: "Phillip Shepard" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:25:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Day observations

Thanks for the report, Phillip. We had two KX3s at our FD site (K6SRA)
with similar results.

Regarding VFO tuning noise, did you try using RX SHFT on the affected
band(s)? This turns out to be very effective, especially in
combination with VFO NR. Both menu entries can be set up per-band, and
are typically needed only the highest bands.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 24, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote:

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______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

Administrator

Did you find about about APF in time to use it during FD? :)

Wayne

On Jun 24, 2012, at 10:50 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I received my KX3 about a week ahead of FD. Therefore, I hadn't much
> experience with it. We were running 2A on solar power; the other rig
> was a K2.
>
> FWIW: The features in the KX3 allowed me to about double my QSO rate
> as compared to the K2 and other rigs I have used. My general
> impression is that the KX3 makes an ideal, or nearly so, FD radio.
> We ran 546 Q's on these two radios. Why didn't we do better?
> Operator fatigue. Had we had maybe three more operators we probably
> could have made 1000 Q's. And, we were QRP!!!
>
> What was amusing is the comment of one of our operators. He is a QRO
> contest op who likes to run full legal limit. He kept commenting
> that he couldn't believe what we were doing at 5W. Oh, yes. He owns
> a K3.
>
> Wayne/Eric,
> You guys done good!! The KX3 is a keeper!
>
> Vy 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Phillip Shepard" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:25:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Day observations
>
> Thanks for the report, Phillip. We had two KX3s at our FD site (K6SRA)
> with similar results.
>
> Regarding VFO tuning noise, did you try using RX SHFT on the affected
> band(s)? This turns out to be very effective, especially in
> combination with VFO NR. Both menu entries can be set up per-band, and
> are typically needed only the highest bands.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> On Jun 24, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote:
>
> > Field Day this weekend was the first real test of my new KX3 (s/n
> > 268).
> > Before Saturday it had only seen light picnic table use and one SOTA
> > peak
> > activation. How did I like it during FD? This is one sweet little
> > radio!
> > I operated somewhat casually in a search and pounce mode, with 90%
> > of the
> > QSOs on CW and the rest on SSB.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Barry K3NDM

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

I don't think I did, unless it was a default. I used my stereo headset
and used the audio trick, which I think is a default, worked pretty
well. Is that what you are speaking of?

I did come to really appreciate the way the tuner works. I won't give
away what we were using for antennas as we want to keep our competitive
edge, but the tuner really handled it well. I infer that there is tuner
set memory for each band because the tuner seemed o be set after each
band change.

Now for the really best part: I know about the test data from various
sources for the K2 and K3. They say that the dynamic range is basically
superb. Well that's all well and good, but live demos are better.
Without giving away too much, the competitive edge, we had a line of
~50' portable masts with an antenna on top and a wire antenna. From time
to time the KX3 would be on one antenna ans the K2 on the other,
separation ~10' and the antennas were cut for different bands. Both
radios could operate with without being impaired by the other! Yes you
could tell the other was transmitting, but that just amounted to a
little local noise. However when we operated from antennas not on the
same mast, up to 300' separation, you would have to look over to see
what the other operator was doing, not too shabby for a kit and and
store bought!! I can't say how the radios would have worked if both were
on the same band under the same conditions as we worked so little phone
that this condition never happened.

I have a real question. What do I really need to find to improve our
operation??? I really need to ask even though I'm sure I can fine the
answer in the manual, but I'm still brain dead from the weekend.

Vy 73,
Barry
K3NDM

On 6/25/2012 3:29 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Did you find about about APF in time to use it during FD? :)
>
> Wayne
>
> On Jun 24, 2012, at 10:50 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> I received my KX3 about a week ahead of FD. Therefore, I hadn't much
>> experience with it. We were running 2A on solar power; the other rig
>> was a K2.
>>
>> FWIW: The features in the KX3 allowed me to about double my QSO rate
>> as compared to the K2 and other rigs I have used. My general
>> impression is that the KX3 makes an ideal, or nearly so, FD radio. We
>> ran 546 Q's on these two radios. Why didn't we do better? Operator
>> fatigue. Had we had maybe three more operators we probably could have
>> made 1000 Q's. And, we were QRP!!!
>>
>> What was amusing is the comment of one of our operators. He is a QRO
>> contest op who likes to run full legal limit. He kept commenting that
>> he couldn't believe what we were doing at 5W. Oh, yes. He owns a K3.
>>
>> Wayne/Eric,
>> You guys done good!! The KX3 is a keeper!
>>
>> Vy 73,
>> Barry
>> K3NDM
>>
>> From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]>
>> To: "Phillip Shepard" <[hidden email]>
>> Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:25:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Day observations
>>
>> Thanks for the report, Phillip. We had two KX3s at our FD site (K6SRA)
>> with similar results.
>>
>> Regarding VFO tuning noise, did you try using RX SHFT on the affected
>> band(s)? This turns out to be very effective, especially in
>> combination with VFO NR. Both menu entries can be set up per-band, and
>> are typically needed only the highest bands.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>> On Jun 24, 2012, at 5:34 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote:
>>
>> > Field Day this weekend was the first real test of my new KX3 (s/n
>> > 268).
>> > Before Saturday it had only seen light picnic table use and one SOTA
>> > peak
>> > activation. How did I like it during FD? This is one sweet little
>> > radio!
>> > I operated somewhat casually in a search and pounce mode, with 90%
>> > of the
>> > QSOs on CW and the rest on SSB.
>> >
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>

Barry K3NDM

Re: KX3 Field Day observations

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Wayne,
In an earlier response I indicated that that I might not have
understood. I didn't! I was so out of it from FD that I probably made
little sense.

I did discover APF during some familiarization in my shack. We did
not use it during FD as I had totally forgotten about it during the
hectic goings on. I have rebuild my home shack and am kicking myself for
having forgotten about this feature. During my few days of
familiarization at home, I found APF to be quite useful. As I think
about it, I suspect operator fatigue would have been less had it not
been for this oversight. I suggest every CW operator who has this
feature on his radio, whether using a KX3 or not, to use it. It really
can clean up noisy signals. Sure wish we had you on our site.

Vy 73,
Barry
K3NDM

On 6/25/2012 3:29 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: