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Options for KX3

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Phillip Zminda

Options for KX3

I am considering selling off my FLEX-1500 and Ten-Tec Argonaut VI to buy a KX3. It will mostly be used for vacations, Field Day or park and backyard portable. I will mostly use resonant antennas and do have an LDG Z-11Pro tuner (has internal batteries) which could be used, so not sure about the internal tuner and may eventually get the amp too. I mostly operate CW and some WSPR/JT-65HF and have a portable paddle. What options will I need for my types of operating? I am trying to not max out my budget.

Thanks,

Phil N3ZP
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WJ1R

Re: Options for KX3

This post was updated on .

I have the optional tuner, internal charger and roofing filter and have found all to be helpful.

Since you already have a tuner, you can pass on the Elecraft tuner for now. At some point you may want to purchase it, however, because it can tune almost anything. I have made CW contacts in 160m using a 30' wire.

If you plan on using internal batteries, the internal charger is very helpful because it saves you from having to open up the KX 3 to remove the batteries. I only open the KX3 when I have a grounded anti-static mat and wrist band.

I think the roofing filter is a must. I have found it to be very helpful in crowded CW conditions, such as contests.

I do not work digital modes, but some on this net have commented on the advisability of an optional heat sink.
Maybe someone else can comment on this or you can find discussions in the archives.

Best,
Jim WJ1R

Barry K3NDM

Re: Options for KX3

In reply to this post by Phillip Zminda

Phil,
I would order the radio with mic and ATU. There are only 2 more real
options, an additional filter and realtime clock with battery charger. I
have all of it in mine plus a few 3rd party supplied options, however, I
don't use the internal batteries and clock nor the additional filter as
I use the 8KHz receive offset. everything else is already included. Even
though you own an LDG ATU, I would still recommend the built in ATU. It
is more flexible and is integrated nicely as a part of the system.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Phillip Zminda" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 3/19/2016 8:48:08 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Options for KX3

>I am considering selling off my FLEX-1500 and Ten-Tec Argonaut VI to
>buy a KX3. It will mostly be used for vacations, Field Day or park and
>backyard portable. I will mostly use resonant antennas and do have an
>LDG Z-11Pro tuner (has internal batteries) which could be used, so not
>sure about the internal tuner and may eventually get the amp too. I
>mostly operate CW and some WSPR/JT-65HF and have a portable paddle.
>What options will I need for my types of operating? I am trying to not
>max out my budget.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Phil N3ZP
>______________________________________________________________
>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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Jim Brown-10

Re: Options for KX3

On Sat,3/19/2016 9:16 AM, Barry LaZar wrote:
> I would order the radio with mic and ATU.

I would skip the mic. QRP SSB can exercise in frustration, even with
very good antennas. If you must use a mic, I would go for a compact
computer headset and a break-out cable to split the mic to the KX3 mic
input and the headphones to the headphone input. These cables can be
found o the internet for about $5. Buy the headset on the basis of
comfort and light weight. At home, use a Yamaha CM500 or similar Koss
with that same adapter cable.

73, Jim K9YC
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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Options for KX3

I agree with Jim’s comment. When I operate portable with my KX3, I use my iPhone headset for my ears. It has a mic of course built in but I never use it as I am CW only with the KX3 in portable ops QRP. I don’t always operate true QRP (5 watts) but prefer to operate what I would call KX3 QRP at 10 watts using my external lithium battery packs.

I do have the Elecraft mic though. But, minimizing cost was not my goal, instead my goal is to maximum toy collection.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Mar 19, 2016, at 11:12 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> On Sat,3/19/2016 9:16 AM, Barry LaZar wrote:
>> I would order the radio with mic and ATU.
>
> I would skip the mic. QRP SSB can exercise in frustration, even with very good antennas. If you must use a mic, I would go for a compact computer headset and a break-out cable to split the mic to the KX3 mic input and the headphones to the headphone input. These cables can be found o the internet for about $5. Buy the headset on the basis of comfort and light weight. At home, use a Yamaha CM500 or similar Koss with that same adapter cable.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Options for KX3

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

I agree on the Mic and ATU, Phil. Not using an
outboard ATU is a good thing for portability, and
the Mic is a very good one.

The filter is also a good thing to have especially
if you are near strong signals, so I'd get that,
too. Internal batteries: Depends on if you plan to
always carry external power source or not.

73, Phil W7OX

On 3/19/16 9:16 AM, Barry LaZar wrote:

> Phil,
> I would order the radio with mic and ATU.
> There are only 2 more real options, an
> additional filter and realtime clock with
> battery charger. I have all of it in mine plus a
> few 3rd party supplied options, however, I don't
> use the internal batteries and clock nor the
> additional filter as I use the 8KHz receive
> offset. everything else is already included.
> Even though you own an LDG ATU, I would still
> recommend the built in ATU. It is more flexible
> and is integrated nicely as a part of the system.
>
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
>
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Phillip Zminda" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: 3/19/2016 8:48:08 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Options for KX3
>
>> I am considering selling off my FLEX-1500 and
>> Ten-Tec Argonaut VI to buy a KX3. It will
>> mostly be used for vacations, Field Day or park
>> and backyard portable. I will mostly use
>> resonant antennas and do have an LDG Z-11Pro
>> tuner (has internal batteries) which could be
>> used, so not sure about the internal tuner and
>> may eventually get the amp too. I mostly
>> operate CW and some WSPR/JT-65HF and have a
>> portable paddle. What options will I need for
>> my types of operating? I am trying to not max
>> out my budget.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Phil N3ZP

Grant Youngman

Re: Options for KX3

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I’ve had a lot of fun on QRP SSB with nothing more than a Buddipole vertical or end-fed wire on 20 thru 10 when the bands are good. It’s more about “persistence” than “frustration” ;-) I do usually run a whole humongous 10-12 watts as long as the battery holds out, and that makes some difference. Occasionally, a DX or other station of interest (with a heart) will actually ask for QRP mobile stations to give us a break.

In any case, a headset/mic is a good idea, and I do use a CM500 with my KX3 occasionally, but I just don’t like sitting outside on a nice day buried in headphones. And I wouldn’t want that to be the only option. Probably 75% of the time I use the Elecraft mic and a small (self contained battery) powered speaker thingy from Best Buy. Makes the time a whole lot more pleasant … which for me is the whole point since I’m not a DX hound on QRP (or anything else) unless it just falls into my lap. Besides, when there’s a rare one, you really have virtually no chance breaking through the bedlam and the guys running their 2 by 3CX15000 amps who invariably jump in for the 3rd time that day to say hello .. again .. and then rag on to “update” the DX (and everyone else) about how bad their sore toe feels or what they had for lunch. (What’s with those guys anyway?)

Now if you’re trying to run stations on SOTA/NPOTA/whatever .. different story, obviously.

The hand mic won’t impact your retirement plan, and you may be happy you have one, now or later.

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

>
> I would skip the mic. QRP SSB can exercise in frustration, even with very good antennas. If you must use a mic, I would go for a compact computer headset and a break-out cable to split the mic to the KX3 mic input and the headphones to the headphone input. These cables can be found o the internet for about $5. Buy the headset on the basis of comfort and light weight. At home, use a Yamaha CM500 or similar Koss with that same adapter cable.
>

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John Hendricks-2

Re: Options for KX3

In reply to this post by Phillip Zminda

I have all the options plus big heat sink and the side handles/cover (purchased after the front got scratched in my day pack.
In order of usefulness:
Antenna tuner (integrated very well with radio) works well with random length wires when portable.
Filter (a must have for field day operation but only used then)
Hand mike (even smaller/lighter would be better when portable) never use the up/down buttons.
Battery option (only used to extend my portable operating time when my external Lipro battery runs down).

John K7JLT
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Phillip Zminda

Re: Options for KX3

In reply to this post by Phillip Zminda

Thanks for all the comments on choice of options. I still need to sell my FLEX and Argonaut first but I have some definite ideas on how to order my KX3. The best thing I have learned about Elecraft products after owning a K2 and K3 is that whatever options you didn’t get on the original order, they are easy to add later. This list is a great resource whenever a question arises. I appreciate all the responses.

Thanks to all.

Phil N3ZP
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