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Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

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ve3bwp

Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

Hello All,

Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just starting the research.

A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.

My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep with it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP mini-expiditions on vacation trips to Central America, France and around the province.

Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it so far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable offers to sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using this opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner combo to replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on its own instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips.

I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65, WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy. Today I use a SignaLink USB.

I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and even a KX2 for lighter travels at some point.

Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this chance and even gain some?

Hopefully no trolls on this group.

Thanks,

Ve3bwp
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

Re "Is it safe to assume I won't be loosing any
performance by making this chance and even gain
some?": If you mean the KX2 or KX3 vs. the FT-817
you should have better HF performance by far. And
you can opt for an internal ATU in either rig, a
huge plus in my mind, Brian.

What you lose is the 144/470 all-mode capability
of the FT-817 (which is why I kept mine as long as
I did). You can add 2m to the KX3, but I've not
done that.

While the KX3 has features not available in the
KX2 (more bands, a roofing filter, feasibility of
adding the PX3 panadapter, a bit more power), I've
found the KX2 to be an equally good QRP rig.

73, Phil W7OX

On 9/12/16 12:39 PM, Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just starting the research.
>
> A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.
>
> My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep with it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP mini-expiditions on vacation trips to Central America, France and around the province.
>
> Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it so far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable offers to sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using this opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner combo to replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on its own instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips.
>
> I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65, WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy. Today I use a SignaLink USB.
>
> I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and even a KX2 for lighter travels at some point.
>
> Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this chance and even gain some?
>
> Hopefully no trolls on this group.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ve3bwp

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Barry K3NDM

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

In reply to this post by ve3bwp

Brian,
I would say the KX3 and KXPA100 is a good choice. I have this setup
now, and I use it for everything, QRP Field Day to contesting, and
everything in between. I have used mine on CW, SSB, and various digital
modes. It's been amazing. In my opinion, it is the most flexible radio
being sold today, and its performance is limited more by the environment
than the radio itself.

I have mine set up to use spectrum display using Win4K3 by way of a
good sound card that is driven by the radio's I&Q output that Elecraft
so thoughtfully provided. I use this same output for CW Skimmer that
gives me local spotting over ~130 KHz of spectrum in the band I'm on. I
also have Ham Radio Deluxe connected for cluster spots and logging.

Digital modes are handled via a SignaLink USB interface that takes
the audio from the KX3 and uses its own sound card. I use the aux out on
the back of the SignaLink to drive a pair of powered computer speakers.
This way I never need to change anything when going from SSB to digital
except to remove the mic and plug in the SignaLink in its place.

To address your concerns about interfacing to the KX3 with a
SignaLink USB, it's pretty easy. You will need a cable for the radio and
reset the jumpers, or get the prewired header plug. The SignaLink USB
does control the radio, no problem. I would say go for it.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 9/12/2016 3:39:11 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

>Hello All,
>
>Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just
>starting the research.
>
>A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the
>company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.
>
>My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep
>with it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP
>mini-expiditions on vacation trips to Central America, France and
>around the province.
>
>Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it
>so far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable
>offers to sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using
>this opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner
>combo to replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on
>its own instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips.
>
>I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65,
>WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy.
>Today I use a SignaLink USB.
>
>I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by
>using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the
>mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and
>even a KX2 for lighter travels at some point.
>
>Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this
>chance and even gain some?
>
>Hopefully no trolls on this group.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ve3bwp
>______________________________________________________________
>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]

Don Wilhelm

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

In reply to this post by ve3bwp

Brian,

I suspect you will *gain* performance with the Elecraft gear. Especially
if you equate performance with being able to copy weaker signals and the
ability to "saddle up" closer to other stations when working in a pileup.

Another thing to consider with Elecraft is "upgradability". Elecraft
provides firmware upgrades for the K3, K3S, KX3 and KX2 at no cost, and
with those being a SDR transceivers, the capability exists to change the
behavior of the rig dramatically (although a firmware upgrade will not
likely be a drastic change, but improved or added function). Elecraft
offers those upgrades rather than insisting you trade in your rig for
the "latest and greatest" - so you will have a transceiver that will
last you for many, many years with no additional outlay of cash. Any
hardware mods that may be offered will also available at modest cost.
The premier example of this is the Elecraft K2 which was released to
customers in 1999 and even the very earliest K2 can be upgraded to the
current level (with the exception of a few non-performance related
mods). My upgraded Field Test K2 (1998) is just as good as a newly
built one, and that is 18 years later than the original.

Elecraft has "jumped through hoops" lately to continue to support their
legacy gear even though the availability of thru-hole parts continues to
dry up as component manufacturers switch over to SMD parts leaving the
users of thru-hole parts to scramble. We may see the day when critical
thru-hole parts will come to an end, but until that time, Elecraft will
continue to support their legacy products. I repair those legacy
products and have been involved in a number of "parts scrambles", but
Elecraft support continues with equivalent parts substitutes (usually
SMD parts mounted on DIP socket carrier boards).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/12/2016 3:39 PM, Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just starting the research.
>
> A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.
> <snip>
>
> Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this chance and even gain some?
>
>

Mike Watterson (K3MAW)

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

In reply to this post by ve3bwp

Brian,

In August of 2015 I sold all my HF radios to buy a used KX3 with the 100w
amp, I never regretted the decision. I did buy the internal tuner and
installed it myself and will soon get the 2 meter add-on.

Barry (K3NDM) mention Win4k3 and CWSkimmer, which I use as well along with
HRD Logger and N1MM+.

If you can swing it, go for it.

Mike - K3MAW

On Mon, Sep 12, 2016 at 3:39 PM, Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just
> starting the research.
>
> A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the company
> owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.
>
> My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep with
> it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP mini-expiditions
> on vacation trips to Central America, France and around the province.
>
> Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it so
> far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable offers to
> sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using this
> opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner combo to
> replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on its own
> instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips.
>
> I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65,
> WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy. Today I
> use a SignaLink USB.
>
> I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by
> using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the
> mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and even a
> KX2 for lighter travels at some point.
>
> Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this
> chance and even gain some?
>
> Hopefully no trolls on this group.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ve3bwp
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Kevin - K4VD

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

As mentioned, you lose 70 cm. I do have the 2 m module installed but
haven't had much opportunity to use it. The roofing filters and the overall
receiver performance of the K3 will floor you compared to the 817 (I owned
an 817ND). Working PSK-31 with a CW key is a blast (as a alternative to
dragging the extra equipment around).

I have a Flex-6500 on the desk. I have been sorely tempted numerous times
to simplify, sell and go with a KPA-100 and KX-3 combination to replace it.
I've done many side-by-side receive comparisons and the KX3 holds its own
nicely in typical conditions.

So, not sure what you should do but as one that had the 817ND and now a KX3
I have never looked back. I suggest the roofing filter and the antenna
tuner at minimum. I'm not a fan of the current internal charger option -
that needs work. I use an external battery and fall back to internal only
when necessary. The paddles work very well for me. I also have the Begali
but the KXPD3 is good. Everything else (and I got it all) is just fluff I
think.

Whatever you choose... have a blast!

73,
Kevin K4VD

On Mon, Sep 12, 2016 at 4:08 PM, Barry <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Brian,
> I would say the KX3 and KXPA100 is a good choice. I have this setup
> now, and I use it for everything, QRP Field Day to contesting, and
> everything in between. I have used mine on CW, SSB, and various digital
> modes. It's been amazing. In my opinion, it is the most flexible radio
> being sold today, and its performance is limited more by the environment
> than the radio itself.
>
> I have mine set up to use spectrum display using Win4K3 by way of a
> good sound card that is driven by the radio's I&Q output that Elecraft so
> thoughtfully provided. I use this same output for CW Skimmer that gives me
> local spotting over ~130 KHz of spectrum in the band I'm on. I also have
> Ham Radio Deluxe connected for cluster spots and logging.
>
> Digital modes are handled via a SignaLink USB interface that takes the
> audio from the KX3 and uses its own sound card. I use the aux out on the
> back of the SignaLink to drive a pair of powered computer speakers. This
> way I never need to change anything when going from SSB to digital except
> to remove the mic and plug in the SignaLink in its place.
>
> To address your concerns about interfacing to the KX3 with a SignaLink
> USB, it's pretty easy. You will need a cable for the radio and reset the
> jumpers, or get the prewired header plug. The SignaLink USB does control
> the radio, no problem. I would say go for it.
>
>
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: 9/12/2016 3:39:11 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!
>
> Hello All,
>>
>> Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just
>> starting the research.
>>
>> A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the
>> company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them.
>>
>> My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep
>> with it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP
>> mini-expiditions on vacation trips to Central America, France and around
>> the province.
>>
>> Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it
>> so far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable offers
>> to sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using this
>> opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner combo to
>> replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on its own
>> instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips.
>>
>> I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65,
>> WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy. Today I
>> use a SignaLink USB.
>>
>> I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by
>> using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the
>> mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and even a
>> KX2 for lighter travels at some point.
>>
>> Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this
>> chance and even gain some?
>>
>> Hopefully no trolls on this group.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Ve3bwp
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>

Edward R Cole

Re: Soon to be an Elecraft(er)!

In reply to this post by ve3bwp

I initially bought a K3/10 (10w version) in 2010, which I really like
and is the prime radio used for eme with transverters.

But I originally had both a FT-847 (very good for VHF & UHF, but
lousy on HF) and a FT-817 (bought primarily to use portable on 144
with my mw equipment but also got used for satellite and local
FM). I never used it on HF much.

When the KX3 came out I looked it over as candidate to replace the
FT-817. The 2M module helped to convince me. I now use it a lot for
6m, finding its internal preamp makes it at least equal to the
K3+PR6. I also use it on HF as much as I use the K3.

My final piece of equipment is the KXPA-100 which I can use with
either radio. I recently used the KX3+KXPA-100 on 6m during the ARRL
VHF Contest, while I ran my K3 with 144 and 222 transverters and
separate amplifiers. the KX3 sitting on 6m lets me monitor for
openings while using the K3 doing other stuff.

Latest project is installing both KX3 and KXPA-100 wiring into my new
F250 Ford truck. Install is designed for rapid install or removal of
the equipment with permanent wiring in the truck. Normally still use
both in the shack.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[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]