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The Chinese KX3

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John Harper AE5X

The Chinese KX3

Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery:
http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/chienese-answer-to-elecraft-kx3-version/

John AE5X
http://www.ae5x.com/blog

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Jim Rodenkirch

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

Thomas Horsten

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

The only way they will come anywhere close to the KX3 performance is by
pirating large portions of the KX3 hardware design and firmware. If that's
the case I hope they don't succeed.

Besides, if they try to add all the same kinds of features that the KX3 has
it will probably be full of bugs and I am sure you won't get the same kind
of support that you do from Elecraft, where the developers actually listen
to the users. At best, it will be a pale imitation of the real thing and at
worst it will be an epic nightmare of bugs and trying to deal with sporadic
support announcements in Chinese with Google Translate as your only friend
when trying to figure out what's going on.

But to be honest, looks like a spoof to me. A well made spoof, but still a
spoof.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 13 April 2012 15:32, James Rodenkirch <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> If they can produce a similar product at a reduced cost, including the
> absurdity of the current add on costs that Elecraft charges, good for them!
>
> Hope they are successful - "successful" meaning their version offers like
> functions and specifications, at a reduced cost!
>
> 72, Jim R. K9JWV
>
>
>
>
>
> > From: [hidden email]
> > To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> > Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:12:02 -0500
> > Subject: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3
> >
> > Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery:
> >
> http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/chienese-answer-to-elecraft-kx3-version/
> >
> > John AE5X
> > http://www.ae5x.com/blog
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > QRP-L mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l
> > 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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Raymond Sills

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by John Harper AE5X

Sure looks like a rough prototype to me. I doubt it's an SDR... but
time will tell.

73 de Ray
K2ULR

On Apr 13, 2012, at 10:12 AM, John Harper wrote:

> Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery:
> http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/chienese-answer-to-elecraft-
> kx3-version/
>
> John AE5X
> http://www.ae5x.com/blog
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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ke9uw

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Jim Rodenkirch

The only thing similar about that thing is the...thinking...thinking...
Anyway, the service Elecraft provides is unique and refreshing. And a major reason why they continue to succeed. Not to mention the extremly high quality and high performing products.
But good luck with your Chinese copy.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 13, 2012, at 9:32 AM, "James Rodenkirch" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> If they can produce a similar product at a reduced cost, including the absurdity of the current add on costs that Elecraft charges, good for them!
>
> Hope they are successful - "successful" meaning their version offers like functions and specifications, at a reduced cost!
>
> 72, Jim R. K9JWV
>
>
>
>
>
>> From: [hidden email]
>> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
>> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:12:02 -0500
>> Subject: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3
>>
>> Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery:
>> http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/chienese-answer-to-elecraft-kx3-version/
>>
>> John AE5X
>> http://www.ae5x.com/blog
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> QRP-L mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l
>> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Chuck, KE9UW

daleputnam

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Raymond Sills

I haven't seen enough of the specs yet to be able to determine anything... anyone can claim specs that do the whole world of attaining performance. However,the proof is in the lab... on the bench... and in the operators brain. If a radio proves itself in those three arenas.. then .. and only then, must ifpursue... and win... in the fourth and final arena... that of your pocket book. So... show me the numbers... I've seen, and accomplished my own tests on the KX1, K1, K2. They perform in the lab, on the bench, in the shack. The rest is up to you. I prefer to support the US economy.

--... ...--
Dale - WC7S in Wy

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Lu Romero - W4LT

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by John Harper AE5X

>From the looks of this rig, it seems to be from the same
source as the Chinese KX1 "competitor" that is now also
being sold and imported by TenTec.

Look for more Chinese sourced HF gear in the future as their
ham population ramps up. I was in Singapore in 2010 and saw
a Chinese made rig at one of the backwater stores there that
was a twin brother to the Yaesu FT450 at the Singapore
Electronics "Tower" downtown. A dead ringer except for the
color of the cabinet (gray instead of black), the knobs and
the display layout.

Loved the cardboard box it came in, too! Had that Far
Eastern cardboard feel to it :). They wanted $875 USD for
it. The panel labels were in English, but in that serif font
that Far East people are so fond of. I didnt have a camera
with me (my phone didnt have a camera in those days), would
have loved to have a photo of it.

The store looked like one of those droid stores you see in
the Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine from Star Wars,
complete with a pot of some kind of exotic smelling soup
simmering behind the counter in the back.

-lu-w4lt-
K3-P3-K1
Using the AL-K-Line

------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:50:15 +0100
From: Thomas Horsten <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3
To: James Rodenkirch <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email], QRP-L <[hidden email]>,
[hidden email]
Message-ID:

<CAPaRxgQouRvmd7xry3uuew99uG4KG5jE0vo=[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

The only way they will come anywhere close to the KX3
performance is by
pirating large portions of the KX3 hardware design and
firmware. If that's
the case I hope they don't succeed.

Besides, if they try to add all the same kinds of features
that the KX3 has
it will probably be full of bugs and I am sure you won't get
the same kind
of support that you do from Elecraft, where the developers
actually listen
to the users. At best, it will be a pale imitation of the
real thing and at
worst it will be an epic nightmare of bugs and trying to
deal with sporadic
support announcements in Chinese with Google Translate as
your only friend
when trying to figure out what's going on.

But to be honest, looks like a spoof to me. A well made
spoof, but still a
spoof.

73, Thomas M0TRN

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w0mu

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

The Chinese have already made good inroads with the Wouxun handy
talkies. 100 dollars for a full featured dual band hand held is hard to
beat. I have one and it is built very well. I have suspected that many
of the Japanese radios were being built in China or Taiwan.

Mike W0MU

W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net

On 4/13/2012 10:38 AM, Lu Romero wrote:

> > From the looks of this rig, it seems to be from the same
> source as the Chinese KX1 "competitor" that is now also
> being sold and imported by TenTec.
>
> Look for more Chinese sourced HF gear in the future as their
> ham population ramps up. I was in Singapore in 2010 and saw
> a Chinese made rig at one of the backwater stores there that
> was a twin brother to the Yaesu FT450 at the Singapore
> Electronics "Tower" downtown. A dead ringer except for the
> color of the cabinet (gray instead of black), the knobs and
> the display layout.
>
> Loved the cardboard box it came in, too! Had that Far
> Eastern cardboard feel to it :). They wanted $875 USD for
> it. The panel labels were in English, but in that serif font
> that Far East people are so fond of. I didnt have a camera
> with me (my phone didnt have a camera in those days), would
> have loved to have a photo of it.
>
> The store looked like one of those droid stores you see in
> the Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine from Star Wars,
> complete with a pot of some kind of exotic smelling soup
> simmering behind the counter in the back.
>
> -lu-w4lt-
> K3-P3-K1
> Using the AL-K-Line
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:50:15 +0100
> From: Thomas Horsten<[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3
> To: James Rodenkirch<[hidden email]>
> Cc: [hidden email], QRP-L<[hidden email]>,
> [hidden email]
> Message-ID:
>
> <CAPaRxgQouRvmd7xry3uuew99uG4KG5jE0vo=[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> The only way they will come anywhere close to the KX3
> performance is by
> pirating large portions of the KX3 hardware design and
> firmware. If that's
> the case I hope they don't succeed.
>
> Besides, if they try to add all the same kinds of features
> that the KX3 has
> it will probably be full of bugs and I am sure you won't get
> the same kind
> of support that you do from Elecraft, where the developers
> actually listen
> to the users. At best, it will be a pale imitation of the
> real thing and at
> worst it will be an epic nightmare of bugs and trying to
> deal with sporadic
> support announcements in Chinese with Google Translate as
> your only friend
> when trying to figure out what's going on.
>
> But to be honest, looks like a spoof to me. A well made
> spoof, but still a
> spoof.
>
> 73, Thomas M0TRN
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

David Gilbert

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by John Harper AE5X

I don't see how anyone can tell what that is from the information
given. No specs, not even any ID on the buttons. Just because some
blogger calls it an imitation KX3 doesn't mean it isn't a 20m super
regen with a digital frequency readout.

That brings up a thought, though ... I wonder what degree of practical
or legal protection Elecraft has on the SDR software that runs their rigs.

Dave AB7E

On 4/13/2012 7:12 AM, John Harper wrote:

> Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery:
> http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/chienese-answer-to-elecraft-kx3-version/
>
> John AE5X
> http://www.ae5x.com/blog
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

KXBill

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by daleputnam

Bill-w7kxb/7. .

> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Chinese KX3
>
>
> I haven't seen enough of the specs yet to be able to determine anything... anyone can claim specs that do the whole world of attaining performance. However,the proof is in the lab... on the bench... and in the operators brain. If a radio proves itself in those three arenas.. then .. and only then, must ifpursue... and win... in the fourth and final arena... that of your pocket book. So... show me the numbers... I've seen, and accomplished my own tests on the KX1, K1, K2. They perform in the lab, on the bench, in the shack. The rest is up to you. I prefer to support the US economy.
>
> --... ...--
> Dale - WC7S in Wy

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Rob May-2

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

Well, there are some specs on that page:

Short description:
High RX sensitive
Low RX noise level
AGS: 3 Steps
Band: 160-10m
Mode: SSB/CW
Tx Power: 5-10 Watts
Dimension: 225*59*90

It looks more like a rushed together mock-up than anything else.

Rob
NV5E

> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:50:55 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Chinese KX3
>
>
> I don't see how anyone can tell what that is from the information
> given. No specs, not even any ID on the buttons. Just because some
> blogger calls it an imitation KX3 doesn't mean it isn't a 20m super
> regen with a digital frequency readout.
>
> That brings up a thought, though ... I wonder what degree of practical
> or legal protection Elecraft has on the SDR software that runs their rigs.
>
> Dave AB7E
>
>

Keith Heimbold

Re: The Chinese KX3

No 6m, shame on them. By the look of it I would say very hard to even make a comparison to the KX3. Looks cobbled together.

Keith
AG6AZ

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Jim Rodenkirch

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by ke9uw

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

Stephen G4SJP

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Keith Heimbold

It looks to me like it came a poor third (out of three entries) in a club
construction competition! Surely it's not for real?

73 Stephen G4SJP

On 13 April 2012 18:25, Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]> wrote:

> No 6m, shame on them. By the look of it I would say very hard to even make
> a comparison to the KX3. Looks cobbled together.
>
> Keith
> AG6AZ
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Jim Rodenkirch

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Thomas Horsten

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

wayne burdick

Re: The Chinese KX3

Administrator

In reply to this post by Rob May-2

It's nearly twice the size of a KX3 by volume. And I can't blame them
for making it a lot bigger.

It was really challenging to pack everything into the KX3 that makes
it a complete, high-performance station (160-6 m + SWL bands, 10W+ PA,
all modes, SDR outputs, internal batteries and charger, roofing
filters, ATU, paddle mount, 2-m module; DSP with enough power for NR,
autonotch, dual watch, DVR, data decode/display, CW/data tuning aid;
full remote control, accessory jack....)

(I know, I know...I'm biased. Back to my firmware cave ;)

Wayne

On Apr 13, 2012, at 10:20 AM, Rob May wrote:

> Dimension: 225*59*90
>
> It looks more like a rushed together mock-up than anything else.
>
> Rob
> NV5E
>

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Curt

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by John Harper AE5X

I'm of same mind as WC7S, "I prefer to support the US economy", and really
don't care what the "specs" are. Every rig I own was made in Iowa, Ohio,
Tennessee, California, or in the case of some diminuative QRP kits, New
Hampshire. While much of the gear is 30-60 years old, the K1 and K2 are
fairly modern. All of it works well enough for my limited skills and
expectations. In all cases the equipment is readily repairable by this op,
especially with help from expert users on forums like this one.

Of course, the day may soon arrive when like so many other products, the KX3
and "Chinese made KX3" are one in the same.

73, Curt KB5JO

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David Gilbert

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Rob May-2

My point is that those specs could describe almost anything, including
low end homebrew backpacking rigs. How anyone jumped to the conclusion,
based upon available information, that it was equivalent to a KX3 or any
other rig is beyond me. I chalk that up to the tendency some people
have to be more likely to believe in the outrageous than the mundane.
Want to generate an email that gets forwarded to thousands? Exaggerate
the message as extravagantly as you can.

Dave AB7E

On 4/13/2012 10:20 AM, Rob May wrote:

>
> Well, there are some specs on that page:
>
> Short description:
> High RX sensitive
> Low RX noise level
> AGS: 3 Steps
> Band: 160-10m
> Mode: SSB/CW
> Tx Power: 5-10 Watts
> Dimension: 225*59*90
>
> It looks more like a rushed together mock-up than anything else.
>
> Rob
> NV5E
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:50:55 -0700
>> From: [hidden email]
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Chinese KX3
>>
>>
>> I don't see how anyone can tell what that is from the information
>> given. No specs, not even any ID on the buttons. Just because some
>> blogger calls it an imitation KX3 doesn't mean it isn't a 20m super
>> regen with a digital frequency readout.
>>
>> That brings up a thought, though ... I wonder what degree of practical
>> or legal protection Elecraft has on the SDR software that runs their rigs.
>>
>> Dave AB7E
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Kevin Cozens-2

Re: The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

On 12-04-13 01:57 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> It was really challenging to pack everything into the KX3 that makes
> it a complete, high-performance station (160-6 m + SWL bands, 10W+ PA,
> all modes, SDR outputs, internal batteries and charger, roofing
> filters, ATU, paddle mount, 2-m module; DSP with enough power for NR,
> autonotch, dual watch, DVR, data decode/display, CW/data tuning aid;
> full remote control, accessory jack....)

Seeing the KX3's list of features in such a terse fashion really impresses
on the mind the feat of engineering involved in squeezing all of them in to
such a physically small package.

You must like 3D puzzles as it must be like working on one when you take the
circuitry for the different parts of a radio and work out how to package it
in as small a space as possible while keeping it easy to
manufacture/assemble and troubleshoot (should a problem arise in a unit).

Next time you come out of your firmware cave for a while, it would be
interesting to read an article on the development cycle of an elecraft
product. From when a decision is made to make a new product to what it
might, to what features you want to pack in to one box, etc.

--
Cheers!

Kevin.

http://www.ve3syb.ca/ |"Nerds make the shiny things that distract
Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 | the mouth-breathers, and that's why we're
| powerful!"
#include <disclaimer/favourite> | --Chris Hardwick
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Ian Kahn, KM4IK

Re: [QRP-L] The Chinese KX3

In reply to this post by Jim Rodenkirch

<snip>
If Elecraft service is so damn good, tell me how reliable their product is? Or are you talking about marketing/sales service vice product supportability service??
<snip>

Elecraft's gear is fabulously reliable. It's a safe (but unscientifically generated statistic) bet that 70-80% of the issues/problems reported on this forum are user error or lack of knowledge/understanding about the rig. Of the remaining 20%, a large majority of the issues that are actual issues get corrected rapidly in firmware. The remaining are handled as quickly as the folks in Aptos, and elsewhere, can handle them.

Remember, none of the percentages provided above are in any way statistically/scientifically generated. They are my observations from roughly one year on this, and other, reflector. And, yes, I drank the Kool-Aid willingly and whole-heartedly. ;-)

73,

--Ian

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA
[hidden email]
K3 #281, P3 #688

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123