Ready to Purchase KX3 and PX3 - Would Like Advice on accessories and "must haves".

[Mark Tosiello]

Hi all!!


I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and
Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also
planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply
cable for the PX3.

Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This
will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the
sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as
well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my
station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here
in Traverse City.

I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once
the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air.  As far as I
understand it, I'll need:

*Main Items:*

KX3 Kit
PX3 Kit
Power Supply for KX3
Powerpole terminated cable for above.
Power Supply for PX3

*Connectors:*

All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research
suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for
convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to
SO239 connector available?  That would be ideal.

I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4
and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a
question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge
LiPo batteries or only NiMH?  Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if
charged with an external charger?

I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this
comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.

Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3!  I'm excited!

Mark KD8EDC
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[vk2rq]

I would recommend getting the KXAT3 antenna tuner option, especially if you are planning on operating portable. Maybe also the BNC binding posts connector, depending on what antenna arrangements you are planning for your portable ops.

For the shack, if you have some nice paddles already, I would suggest just using those. If you are operating portable, the KXPD3 paddles are light and convenient.

Internal charger is for NiMH cells only. You can use an external LiPo battery, although I prefer LiFePO4 batteries myself (they are safer, and the voltage output from a 4S pack is ideal, whereas the output of a LiPo pack is likely to be too low or too high). You of course need an external balance charger designed to work with the specific battery chemistry you choose.

If you plan to do phone, you’ll need a microphone. You can order one from Elecraft, or you can use a computer headset. The radio does not come with any cables (except a flying lead power cable and USB cable), so you should order a cableset if you want to connect the audio to a PC soundcard.

You also might want to consider purchasing Fred Cady’s book on KX3 (hard copy or PDF). Lulu is currently offering a 25% discount on hardcopies with coupon code HOLIDAYS25; otherwise you can order it from Elecraft or from directly from Fred KE7X.

-- 
73 de Matt VK2RQ

On 3 décembre 2015 at 4:12:43 AM, Mark Tosiello ([hidden email]) wrote:

Hi all!!  


I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and  
Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also  
planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply  
cable for the PX3.  

Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This  
will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the  
sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as  
well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my  
station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here  
in Traverse City.  

I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once  
the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air. As far as I  
understand it, I'll need:  

*Main Items:*  

KX3 Kit  
PX3 Kit  
Power Supply for KX3  
Powerpole terminated cable for above.  
Power Supply for PX3  

*Connectors:*  

All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research  
suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for  
convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to  
SO239 connector available? That would be ideal.  

I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4  
and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a  
question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge  
LiPo batteries or only NiMH? Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if  
charged with an external charger?  

I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this  
comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.  

Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3! I'm excited!  

Mark KD8EDC  
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[MarcV]

Hi, Mark.  I have 3 KX3s, 2 of them here in Grand Rapids and the 3rd in Vermont at our summer home.  I used the KX3 for a single operator battery powered Field Day in 2014 on the deck in Vermont, so even have a bit of portable experience.

I think I can answer all your questions, but first let me say you're getting probably the single nicest rig available.  I do have a K3/P3 here on the desk next to my KX3/PX3/KXPA100 but rarely use the K3.  Both my 80 meter dipole and the G5RV are hooked up to the KX3 system.

I also have both the dual paddle and single paddle K8RA keys.  They are larger and heavier than the rig!  They're excellent keys and the single paddle is about as nice as they come.  However they aren't style matches to the Elecraft gear so I usually use my 9A5N paddles instead.

But what will you need?  Start with right angle 3.5 mm stereo plugs.  When you put the station together you'll find it's a mass of cables.  The Mike, Key, and Earbud jacks are all on the side of the KX3 that abuts the PX3.  They all deserve right angle plugs.  I finally bought some right angle adapters so I could, when needed, use straight plugs.

Get yourself a 3.5mm stereo Y cable so you can use both paddles without switching anything around.  I do that with the single- and dual-lever paddles.  

When I was comparing paddles to see which kept me most mistake-free at higher speeds, I actually used serially connected Y cables and 3.5mm male to 6.5mm female adapters so I didn't have to rewire the paddles and keys I was testing.  At one time I had 8 keys all active simultaneously into the single KX3 "key" jack.

Yes, you'll need to convert BNC to SO239 and you'll want a right angle male-to-female BNC adapter -- again to keep things looking neat and keep cabling aimed away from you.

If you get a KXPA100, it'll come with a right-angle BNC connector on a short cable with a PL259 on the other end.  I'm sure you could buy just that from Elecraft and then use a dual SO239 to connect to your coax.

So -- think right angle and you'll be set.

The receiver on that KX3 is wonderful.  You'll love it if you do much CW work.

73,
--
Marc

> On Dec 2, 2015, at 12:11 PM, Mark Tosiello <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi all!!
>
>
> I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and
> Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also
> planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply
> cable for the PX3.
>
> Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This
> will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the
> sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as
> well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my
> station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here
> in Traverse City.
>
> I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once
> the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air.  As far as I
> understand it, I'll need:
>
> *Main Items:*
>
> KX3 Kit
> PX3 Kit
> Power Supply for KX3
> Powerpole terminated cable for above.
> Power Supply for PX3
>
> *Connectors:*
>
> All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research
> suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for
> convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to
> SO239 connector available?  That would be ideal.
>
> I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4
> and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a
> question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge
> LiPo batteries or only NiMH?  Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if
> charged with an external charger?
>
> I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this
> comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.
>
> Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3!  I'm excited!
>
> Mark KD8EDC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

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[Michael Murphy]

Matt,

Obviously you drank the koolaid as I did.  I have both the KX3 and K3.

I will echo what Walter has already said about the Gemsproducts Side KX3
and cover.  I bought them for mine and am glad that I did.  It does a great
job of protecting the rig.

The only other thing you might look at is a good external speaker for use
in the shack. I have used the West Mountain speakers (
http://www.rffun.com/catalog/speakers/5042.html) which don't have RFI
issues and was pleased with them.  I now use a pair of JBL near field
monitors through a mixing board.

Enjoy the new rig!


Mike - KI8R

On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:37 PM, Matt Maguire <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I would recommend getting the KXAT3 antenna tuner option, especially if
> you are planning on operating portable. Maybe also the BNC binding posts
> connector, depending on what antenna arrangements you are planning for your
> portable ops.
>
> For the shack, if you have some nice paddles already, I would suggest just
> using those. If you are operating portable, the KXPD3 paddles are light and
> convenient.
>
> Internal charger is for NiMH cells only. You can use an external LiPo
> battery, although I prefer LiFePO4 batteries myself (they are safer, and
> the voltage output from a 4S pack is ideal, whereas the output of a LiPo
> pack is likely to be too low or too high). You of course need an external
> balance charger designed to work with the specific battery chemistry you
> choose.
>
> If you plan to do phone, you’ll need a microphone. You can order one from
> Elecraft, or you can use a computer headset. The radio does not come with
> any cables (except a flying lead power cable and USB cable), so you should
> order a cableset if you want to connect the audio to a PC soundcard.
>
> You also might want to consider purchasing Fred Cady’s book on KX3 (hard
> copy or PDF). Lulu is currently offering a 25% discount on hardcopies with
> coupon code HOLIDAYS25; otherwise you can order it from Elecraft or
> from directly from Fred KE7X.
>
> --
> 73 de Matt VK2RQ
>
> On 3 décembre 2015 at 4:12:43 AM, Mark Tosiello ([hidden email])
> wrote:
>
> Hi all!!
>
>
> I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and
> Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also
> planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply
> cable for the PX3.
>
> Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This
> will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the
> sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as
> well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my
> station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here
> in Traverse City.
>
> I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once
> the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air. As far as I
> understand it, I'll need:
>
> *Main Items:*
>
> KX3 Kit
> PX3 Kit
> Power Supply for KX3
> Powerpole terminated cable for above.
> Power Supply for PX3
>
> *Connectors:*
>
> All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research
> suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for
> convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to
> SO239 connector available? That would be ideal.
>
> I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4
> and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a
> question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge
> LiPo batteries or only NiMH? Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if
> charged with an external charger?
>
> I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this
> comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.
>
> Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3! I'm excited!
>
> Mark KD8EDC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

--
-----------------------------------------------
*Michael Murphy - KI8R*

[hidden email]

www.ki8r.com

*614-371-8265 (cell)*

-----------------------------------------------
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[Jim Brown-10]

On Wed,12/2/2015 9:36 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> The consensus recommendation for internal batteries is Eneloop XX.

I've been quite pleased with Power2000 Ni-MH AAs rated at 2950mAh. I
found them in the booth of a vendor who regularly sells at west coast
hamfests. I see 10-packs for $23 at amazon.com

73, Jim K9YC
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[Mark Tosiello]

Thanks to ALL of you who have given your suggestions and recommendations!
I've distilled them into one massive order, and I'm happy to say I just got
off the phone with Mike at Elecraft, and finalized my KX3/PX3 Kit orders. I
ordered the KXFL3 roofing filter, KXAT3 Auto Tuner, PX3 Pan Adapter, SSDV
Power Supply (with 2 cables), the Accessory Cable set, the E980261 cable
(RG-58 with one end terminated with a right-angle bnc connector and the
other a PL259), a BNC-BP adapter, and the Heil Proset K2 (I have a Heil
PR781G and Proset 3 that I LOVE, so they will go well together). I'm going
to look into the West Mountain speakers, for the time I don't want to be
wearing my headset.  I'll also be ordering some right angle 3.5mm adapters.
Marc, did you wind up getting 3 pole or 4 pole adapters?

According to Mike, the kits et. al. will ship out tomorrow via UPS Ground.
I'm very excited. I've watched countless vids on assembly (yes, I have an
anti-static mat and wrist-strap....I build a lot of computers...) and I'm
reading the assembly manual while waiting for my rig to arrive. Looking
forward to working lots of CW QRP, and I'm starting to save for an
amp....... :)

Thanks again all!

Mark
KD8EDC



On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:38 PM, Marc Veeneman <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi, Mark.  I have 3 KX3s, 2 of them here in Grand Rapids and the 3rd in
> Vermont at our summer home.  I used the KX3 for a single operator battery
> powered Field Day in 2014 on the deck in Vermont, so even have a bit of
> portable experience.
>
> I think I can answer all your questions, but first let me say you're
> getting probably the single nicest rig available.  I do have a K3/P3 here
> on the desk next to my KX3/PX3/KXPA100 but rarely use the K3.  Both my 80
> meter dipole and the G5RV are hooked up to the KX3 system.
>
> I also have both the dual paddle and single paddle K8RA keys.  They are
> larger and heavier than the rig!  They're excellent keys and the single
> paddle is about as nice as they come.  However they aren't style matches to
> the Elecraft gear so I usually use my 9A5N paddles instead.
>
> But what will you need?  Start with right angle 3.5 mm stereo plugs.  When
> you put the station together you'll find it's a mass of cables.  The Mike,
> Key, and Earbud jacks are all on the side of the KX3 that abuts the PX3.
> They all deserve right angle plugs.  I finally bought some right angle
> adapters so I could, when needed, use straight plugs.
>
> Get yourself a 3.5mm stereo Y cable so you can use both paddles without
> switching anything around.  I do that with the single- and dual-lever
> paddles.
>
> When I was comparing paddles to see which kept me most mistake-free at
> higher speeds, I actually used serially connected Y cables and 3.5mm male
> to 6.5mm female adapters so I didn't have to rewire the paddles and keys I
> was testing.  At one time I had 8 keys all active simultaneously into the
> single KX3 "key" jack.
>
> Yes, you'll need to convert BNC to SO239 and you'll want a right angle
> male-to-female BNC adapter -- again to keep things looking neat and keep
> cabling aimed away from you.
>
> If you get a KXPA100, it'll come with a right-angle BNC connector on a
> short cable with a PL259 on the other end.  I'm sure you could buy just
> that from Elecraft and then use a dual SO239 to connect to your coax.
>
> So -- think right angle and you'll be set.
>
> The receiver on that KX3 is wonderful.  You'll love it if you do much CW
> work.
>
> 73,
> --
> Marc
>
>
>
>
> > On Dec 2, 2015, at 12:11 PM, Mark Tosiello <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all!!
> >
> >
> > I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU
> and
> > Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm
> also
> > planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply
> > cable for the PX3.
> >
> > Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig.
> This
> > will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the
> > sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting
> as
> > well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my
> > station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations
> here
> > in Traverse City.
> >
> > I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once
> > the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air.  As far as I
> > understand it, I'll need:
> >
> > *Main Items:*
> >
> > KX3 Kit
> > PX3 Kit
> > Power Supply for KX3
> > Powerpole terminated cable for above.
> > Power Supply for PX3
> >
> > *Connectors:*
> >
> > All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research
> > suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for
> > convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC
> to
> > SO239 connector available?  That would be ideal.
> >
> > I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4
> > and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do
> have a
> > question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger
> charge
> > LiPo batteries or only NiMH?  Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if
> > charged with an external charger?
> >
> > I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think
> this
> > comes with the unit but thought I'd better check.
> >
> > Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3!  I'm excited!
> >
> > Mark KD8EDC
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
>

--
“*Babies aren’t better language learners than you; they just have no escape
routes.*” -Khatzumoto

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.


*You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.*
                                                                   -Charles
Buxton
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[MarcV]

My 4 pole adapter is in the form of a 6” Y cable with 2 female stereo jacks.  

Mark, your order is spot on and you’re going to love that setup, just as I do mine.  As for speakers, let me recommend what I use.  Formerly sold with the brand name Kinivo, my most recent purchase was called Satechi:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TOHOIQ <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TOHOIQ>

They can be run for many hours on their internal lithium battery, can be separated so you hear split signals easily, and are ideal for CW.  Their small size isn’t a negative when you want to hear sidetone at 440 as I do, or 600 or 700 as is more popular.  They sound great and the price is, in my opinion, very low.  

The reason I bought a second pair is so I can run them on the K3 while the first set is connected to the KX3.  

My next pair will be stored in the Pelican case with my travel KX3.  They are that good.

Again, congratulations on your purchase.  You learned one more thing today and that is the Elecraft order taking system.  Those West Coast hams will steer you away from purchase mistakes and seem to have the customer’s satisfaction in view instead of Elecraft sales quotas.  What a refreshing change!
—
Marc  W8SDG


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