KX3 Transverters
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Hi All,
I'm glad (for some of you) that a 2 meter transverter will eventually be available for the KX3. In my view, however, only having 2 meters really doesn't accomplish that much. Yes, 2 meters probably still is the most significant VHF/UHF band, but it seems to me that 440 has become nearly equal, and even more important in some areas. I don't know how much you can cram into the KX3, but unless I could get both 2 meters and 440 combined, it would still mean I have to have an alternative for those bands--it's like getting half a loaf. A dual band HT does that for me. If I need an HT for 440, I might as well use it for 2 meters as well, and skip the transverter. The trade-off, of course, is not being able to utilize all modes. More and more, both here locally and as I travel around a bit, I find that 440 has become quite preferential in many places. I'm not that much into VHF/UHF anyway, so it's easy for me to be a bit blasé' about it. Nonetheless, it just seems to me that most folks who are serious about these bands, are probably serious about both of them (if not more), and thus are apt to have some sort of all mode multi-band VHF/UHF rig for that purpose. If you are primarily just an "FM'er" on those bands, as I tend to be, then maybe you will see my point. I can certainly see some benefit of having 2 meters built into the KX3, at hamfests, or operating mobile, etc., but I can do all I need to do with a simple dual bander, or tri-bander, many of which are available for less than the cost of a transverter. The purpose of this post is not to be critical of the KX3 accessory plans--not at all! However, I guess I hope it might be food for thought to the folks in Watsonville about seriously considering whether or not they can expand the KX3 beyond just 2 meters. If they can, that's pretty amazing! Wayne hinted it might be something they may consider, but he was very cautious about the possibility. I'm just expressing my view as to why it might make sense, if it's possible at all. Dave W7AQK ______________________________________________________________ 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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Dyarnes, Many of us looking for 2m in the rig are not really expecting to use the KX3 as a QRP rig w/ built in 2m HT. Rather, we expect to use it as the centerpiece of a portable VHF+ weak-signal station where the native 6 and 2 can be fed directly to amps, 10m can be used to drive UHF transverters, and 2m can be used to drive microwave transverters. My primary contest radio is a QRP K2. I used to borrow the home K3's stack of transverters for VHF+ contests, but I grew tired of the hassle, and for the past few years, I've been using a less capable, but considerably simpler dedicated 2m solution. With a 2m capable KX3, I'll have one tiny rig that I can use for HF in the field, as my dedicated 2m or 144/222 master when multi-op, and as a 6&2 mountain-topper (for which I currently back-pack MFJ adventure radios). The KX3 w/ 2m is going to radically simplify my packing and setup! You can also now appreciate why I was so interested in having 2m and the internal ATU at the same time: one radio, one configuration, ready for any style of field operation at any time! And the baked in digital modes are pure gravy! -kb7psg On Fri, 30 Dec 2011, Dyarnes wrote: > Hi All, > > I'm glad (for some of you) that a 2 meter transverter will eventually be > available for the KX3. In my view, however, only having 2 meters really > doesn't accomplish that much. Yes, 2 meters probably still is the most > significant VHF/UHF band, but it seems to me that 440 has become nearly > equal, and even more important in some areas. ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by w7aqk
The greater LA area is somewhat unique in that there is probably less
repeater usage on 440 than other parts of the country. Most of the repeaters on that band are closed or private. That's a fact, not a criticism. I've yet to assemble and put up my antenna to give it a go on SSB. Glad that I kept my FT-847 all these years, with its higher power out on that band. 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 12/30/2011 4:14 PM, Dyarnes wrote: > Hi All, > > I'm glad (for some of you) that a 2 meter transverter will eventually be > available for the KX3. In my view, however, only having 2 meters really > doesn't accomplish that much. Yes, 2 meters probably still is the most > significant VHF/UHF band, but it seems to me that 440 has become nearly > equal, and even more important in some areas. I don't know how much you can > cram into the KX3, but unless I could get both 2 meters and 440 combined, it > would still mean I have to have an alternative for those bands--it's like > getting half a loaf. A dual band HT does that for me. If I need an HT for > 440, I might as well use it for 2 meters as well, and skip the transverter. > The trade-off, of course, is not being able to utilize all modes. > > More and more, both here locally and as I travel around a bit, I find that > 440 has become quite preferential in many places. I'm not that much into > VHF/UHF anyway, so it's easy for me to be a bit blasé' about it. > Nonetheless, it just seems to me that most folks who are serious about these > bands, are probably serious about both of them (if not more), and thus are > apt to have some sort of all mode multi-band VHF/UHF rig for that purpose. > If you are primarily just an "FM'er" on those bands, as I tend to be, then > maybe you will see my point. I can certainly see some benefit of having 2 > meters built into the KX3, at hamfests, or operating mobile, etc., but I can > do all I need to do with a simple dual bander, or tri-bander, many of which > are available for less than the cost of a transverter. > > The purpose of this post is not to be critical of the KX3 accessory > plans--not at all! However, I guess I hope it might be food for thought to > the folks in Watsonville about seriously considering whether or not they can > expand the KX3 beyond just 2 meters. If they can, that's pretty amazing! > Wayne hinted it might be something they may consider, but he was very > cautious about the possibility. I'm just expressing my view as to why it > might make sense, if it's possible at all. > > Dave W7AQK > 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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