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Reviews For: Elecraft KX3

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Elecraft KX3
Reviews: 157MSRP: See Desciption
Description:
Elecraft KX3 Transceiver

Ultra-portable, all-band/all-mode high-performance transceiver for home, mobile, or field use.
* 160-6 meters (2 m with KX3-2M module)
* SSB/CW/DATA/AM/FM modes; 10 W+ PEP (100 W with KXPA100 amp)
* 1.7" x 3.5" x 7.4" (4.3 x 8.9 x 18.8 cm); only 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg)
* Current drain as low as 150 mA; internal battery (8 AA cells, any type)
* Advanced DSP provides dual watch, noise reduction, noise blanking, autonotch, stereo audio effects, audio peaking filter (APF)
* Software-defined radio (SDR) architecture plus optional roofing filters
* Operates in data modes (PSK31/RTTY) with or without a PC
* Includes RX I/Q sound-card outputs; works with PC RS232 or USB ports; free firmware upgrades
* Options: internal wide-range antenna tuner (KXAT3), interal NiMH battery charger (KXBC3), dual roofing filter module (KXFL3), attached high-performance keyer paddle (KXPD3), internal 2-meter module (KX3-2M), MH3 compact hand mic with UP/DN buttons, KXPA100/KXAT100 100-W amplifier and ATU

$999.95 factory assembled, $899.95 kit

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.elecraft.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001574.7
N0EVH Rating: 2013-02-02
Great radio! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The eham rating guidelines show 3 as OK, 4 as Good and 5 as Great. So, great radio Elecraft! Don't know how long you have been in radio, but I have been waiting for this radio for half a century! That is when the first affordable transistor was sold to the public. I have always enjoyed radios that ran on batteries and the KX3 sets a new benchmark.

Yes, the radio can do many things well including mobile, shack and portable. It's strong suit is certainly portable. All the shortcomings of previous entries in this genre have been overcome. Wonderful design, layout and engineering limited only by the realities of physics and thermodynamics!

Sold two radios and saved to get this one. Certainly not disappointed, now back to the bands.
VK3LAJ Rating: 2013-01-31
A beta product.. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Could not give this radio a 5 - 5 would be Perfect.
This radio is excellent, but its not without its flaws.

To me it feels like a beta product, not a finished product..

It can be setup as a primary base rig (as i have done) however the tangle of cables out the side is quite ugly. A single USB port in the back could have fixed half of this.

Build quality is excellent - however the earth point is a thumb screw that holds the rear leg on.. surely they could afford a dedicated earth screw.

The receiver is very quiet - love it .

Would i buy another?... no...
For field work, QRP SOTA etc then its ideal - but its not ideal for shack use.

My investment would go with the upcoming K4 or existing K3.

Mixed feelings about the radio - but it is excellent if you have the time to fiddle.
W9JXN Rating: 2013-01-16
K3 Experience @ KX3 price Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The KX3 was the talk of Dayton and I just couldn't resist. So much radio in such a small package. After receiving it in September I had it on the air a couple of days later. WOW! After the long wait I was not disappointed. I am surrounded by excellent equipment (TenTec, Yaesu, Collins, Drake) and this one will hold it's own with any of them. I have enjoyed making many QSO's using QRP. Checking into the Collins 75 meter net using the KX3 to drive my Alpha 8410 to about 600 watts was a hoot! The first comments were "what mic are you using? it sounds great!" Combined with the loooooong awaited KXPA100 this will be an outstanding radio just like the KX3 but with the additional portability of the KX3 when desired. Talk about versatility...even battery power capable. This is definitely more than just another new radio. Did I mention that I like it?
AK4YH Rating: 2013-01-10
Exceptional. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
What a great radio. I have built a K1 and a K2, which are also great radios. The KX3 however leaves them both in the dust. The filtering down to 50Hz is great, and without too much attenuation. I can pull signals out of the noise that would have been difficult to copy on the K1 or K2. There are more features and it can be confusing at times. The building manual is excellent but the user manual could be re-written a little better with more explanations per menu option. I only wish it was more weatherproof...
Assembly is easy and can be performed by anyone who can use a screwdriver and follow instructions. As soon as you put everything inside the case and turn it on, it's ready to go.
I can't comment on any other mode than CW, but for that, it does excel. Portability is great. It also fits nicely on my desk next to my paddles and computer mouse.
If you wonder if you should wait to save up enough to buy it, do so. I ended up selling my K2, and I don't regret it. I should have bought the KX3 right away, though building the K2 was fun.
It will be many years before I buy another full-featured HF radio. The KX3 does it all.
N3MNT Rating: 2013-01-09
Amazing Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ordered Kit with ATU, BC, Filter options. Took just over 3 hrs to build ( checking each step twice) Fired up and checked into local CW net. Amazing receiver with all the bells and whistles you could want. Second day SSB contact to Australia from Maryland on 10W using 132 ft Windom at 35ft. Easy build, great radio will become my main rig.
G3VSK Rating: 2013-01-08
Superb Compact Transceiver S/N 3055 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
KX3 kit ordered direct from Elecraft with a significant price advantage over buying from the UK agent. Assembly of the kit was easy following the supplied instructions and this took around 3 hours before Sunday dinner on 6th January 2013. I am most impressed by this transceiver though still learning many of its extensive features. Superb performance with a very sensitive yet very quiet receiver. I will provide a further report after a few months use. I have also built a K1 and a K2 which I still own and am very impressed by these transceivers - the quality and performance of these rigs helped me choose to build the KX3.
IZ0GPP Rating: 2013-01-03
Excellent rig!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's more than a month i'm using the new little masterpiece from Elecraft and my impressions are of a superior radio. The most important thing you must know about this little sneaky rig is that ITS RECEIVER IS UNBELIEVABLY SILENT!!
This strength point brings the KX3 directly to the Olympus of the best radio ever. It's been tested in the same QTH (not instrumental testing) and with the same conditions (antennas, cables etc.) of all the radios ever used and the receiver works so great to compete with $10K rigs and in some cases to overcome them.
The KX3 has very sharp tx (don't forget it's a qrp...) and a nice user interface, all the options really needed are ready at the finger tip and all the rest is easily achievable in few moves. Really an excellent rig.
K0GUN Rating: 2012-12-18
This is QRP's BEST Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the best QRP rigs I have ever had and I have had one of all the others. Elecraft is the organization of the future.
PY2KD Rating: 2012-12-02
Just perfect ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am a heavy QRP operator, crossing the country in a LandRover Defender and rigs, but the ELECRAFT KX3 is by far the best !
Using dipoles, G%RV, Verticals, random, normally hanging from trees the rig is superb. Running 10w with a LIPO 11,1V@3,7ah I can connect with local nets, far way countries , emergencies, or just hearing.
The audio is comparable to expensive and large rigs, both TX and RX.
Let in the shelf the FT817, simple as that !
thanks to Elecraft.
2E0TPZ Rating: 2012-11-26
Fantastic radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned the radio for a week now and can only say that I am still very overwhelmed by it.

My first impressions when I first saw and held the radio were "This is a serious bit of kit". Very professional look, gorgeous metal feel, it's very nicely made and presented. The display is fantastic, there's a lot of information on that screen, puts many other radios in the same league to shame.

It's receiver performance is astounding, I did A/B tests with a friend's K3 and the difference to me was marginal, in fact the noise floor on the KX3 seemed better.

I've dealt with Elecraft before and its always a pleasure, they are a very human company, very approachable and always willing to help with any issues that may arise.

I could mention the great filters, the stereo effects that make headphone use a pleasure, the low current draw, the companion paddle and fantastic interface, but others have done this already.

I'm a very happy shopper, thank you Elecraft for an amazing radio. Highly recommend it.

I nearly bought an FT 817 2 years ago, I'm glad I didn't. The KX3 was certainly worth waiting for - and with regular firmware updates it can only get better.