| VO1JA |
Rating:      |
2012-09-30 | |
| Excellent rig! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
It was a long wait, from May to September. But, having had the month to play with it, I can say it was well worth it. The receiver is exceptional; yes, headphones work better than the tiny speaker, but that was to be expected. This afternoon, I worked two Swiss, one Belgian, and a Hungarian station using 10 watts here, running the little KX3 on eight pen light batteries. And, I worked them on phone.
I have to agree with K3OX: the Elecraft KX3 has got the Yaesu 817 beat on the receive end. Now, it's not better than the Yaesu FTDX5K, but then again, there's a hefty weight difference between the two, too!
Like the 817, it doesn't just eat batteries- it devours them, so an out board power supply is recommended. Mine does pick up the birdies from the switching power supply, but, again, it is a weight trade off: the linear power supply is a bit heavier.
Over all, I am really delighted with the KX3 qrp rig. It is user-friendly, and intuitive, and fun to play with. |
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| K6USN |
Rating:      |
2012-09-24 | |
| Awesome! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After 52 years of ham radio I was looking for some new challenges. I travel a lot, and the
IC 7600 and Pellican case can't go everywhere, so I researched the Elecraft KX3. I liked what I saw, and ordered one last April. It arrived last week and the learning curve was surprisingly intuitive. (I was a bit apprehensive at first about the 'software defined radio' referred to in the manual.)
I ran out a PAR End Fed 15M dipole in the attic
and started listening on CW. The noise floor is
amazing, and the listening pure pleasure. With such a modest set up I really didn't expect any DX. Among my first half dozen contacts was a UA1 near St Petersburg, Russia and a KH6 in Hawaii. Not bad for 5 watts in the attic in Madison, Wisconsin!
The radio, Gamma Research power supply,Schurr key, and PAR dipoles all fit into my shaving kit and weigh under 4 lbs.
While I won't give up my IC 7600 any time soon, I see a lot of fun in my future with this outstanding little radio.
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| VK4JD |
Rating:      |
2012-09-14 | |
| WORK OF ART |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Absolutely the most impressive bit of radio I've seen in a long while.
Sitting on the desk it feels and performs like a full size radio. Suprising in a hand sized package - absolutely no excuse not to take it on holidays.
What makes this the best of its type is obvious when you see and use one. This thing is designed by hams.
Great job guys !
73's Peter VK4JD
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| K3OX |
Rating:      |
2012-09-14 | |
| The new one of a kind |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
You know that this must be a great radio, even those reviewers determined to not give it a 5 can only dock it to a 4! (LOL)
First, thanks to Yaesu for the FT-817, the first truly portable self-contained full-function all-band HF xcvr. It was the first of its kind, and since its release in 2001, no one tried to compete with it until Elecraft. That the Ft-817 could stay on top for 10 years is quite a tribute.
But it must be said that, except for the 817's inclusion of 2 meters (planned for the KX-3) and the 70cm band, the Elecraft trumps the Yaesu in just about every other way, especially for portable use. The form factor, weight, battery consumption, higher maximum output, provision for internal antenna tuner and readout readability all are improvements on the old standard. You can even operate some digital modes without a computer if you are conversant in CW (and this works pretty well, over all).
But the big news is the improvements in the RX over the 817. Here, the little KX3 has close to the front end quality and has many of the QRM fighting features of high performance home station rigs. In fact, when the 100w amplifier becomes available, I can see many folks using this as a home rig with grab-and-go capability.
This brings up the only really significant nit I can pick, that certain features and accessories weren't ready for the market, most significantly the internal battery charger (which will hopefully be better than the slow, clunky FT-817 charging system). But, given the choice of waiting until everything was designed and the final implementation of all features determined or getting the rig out onto the market, Elecraft made the right decision. Even if none of the planned improvements and accessories had happened, it would still be one of a kind.
Price wise, the FT-817 is cheaper at about $660 new plus $115 for a CW filter (you DO operate CW, right?) versus $1000 ($900 for the kit which is EASY to build), so if price is a major factor, the 817 saves you $200 to $300 bucks.
All in all, this is a fun, well designed radio. I am off on vacation to London, UK and the KX3, a small paddle and headset, a tiny 5 amp switching supply and a hunk of wire is all I need to bring to have big-time radio fun (if my hotel room cooperates!) |
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| M1KTA |
Rating:     |
2012-08-25 | |
| Great for DXpedition |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I rx mine as a kit and built it less than 24 hours before I got on a plane to Dakar, Senegal.
There is an absolutely fabulous RX with the KX3. I was able to pull other qrp stations out of some horrendous pile ups on SSB and ran pile ups day after day as 6W/M1KTA. Right now I am in C5/M1KTA doing the same, waiting for 20m to open.
Lots of on air complements about the audio, you have to play with the audio compression to get it just right. I am using logitech pc webcam headset ($15!) works fine, the monitor output, thank you what a great option for the dx statoon who wants to record both sides of the qso as well as hear it on air.
The dual watch (takes a bit of getting used to) so you can mionitor both your calling frequency AND the RX when split is a definite advantage as you can clear the tx frequency quickly. I am sure some DX chasers would prefer if I were qro but a great fun radio.
The internal ATU matched up most anything on tests so took G5RV and W3EDP for C5 I have 3 el yagi for 6W.
I would give it a 5 but couple things caused problems.
It is West Africa and rainy season so hot and humid (85%+ common) and the ambient environment temp probably does not help the TX PA from running hot due to the high duty cycle so when get home (UK) will add a better heatsink and possibly build an add on of a pair of small silent 1U copper CPU heat sinks. Whilst building the kit I added heat sink compound the silver PC CPU type between the pa's chassis and heat sink as I expected to need this, in the end was not enough and radio folded back a couple times. I ended up monitoring at one stage and the PA folded back often when PA > 52C, ran almost constantly above 45C (ambient 28-32C) and anything but 3W out in sun was hopeless. I put a small 12V fan ripped from an old bit of junk I found and set up next to the radio and after that no problem. If running off a power supply with nice stable voltage it should not a problem running a fan.
Other niggle was why oh why use 2.5mm for the I/Q grrrrr no adapter with me and have not be able to use SDR as a result.
Where is the button to turn off the EU wall when trying to work JA must have missed that in the menu hihi ;-) |
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| VE3LTI |
Rating:     |
2012-08-23 | |
| Work in progress |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I’m the owner of a KX1, K2/100 and many other Elecraft products including T1, XG3, AT1, DL1, n-gen and XG1. This review attempts to give an objective impression of the KX3 in real-world use.
I received my KX3 S/N 1203 a couple of weeks ago and so far I’m reasonably pleased with this little radio. I intended to use it at home and at the cottage as well as nomadic portable replacing my other QRP portable (FT-817) which I’ve had for years. I’m running MCU 1.10 and DSP 0.94 so this review relates to this firmware release only. I am not a slave to any particular specification in a radio and in particular, I’m not a fan of the latest fad of looking only at the receiver’s close in dynamic range to judge a transceiver.
Strengths:
• Small, HF + 50MHz, all modes
• SDR I/O output for panadaptor, etc
• Quiet, sensitive and selective front-end
• Integrated ATU – impressive like all Elecraft ATUs
• Roofing filter performance
Weaknesses:
• AM breakthrough on lower bands noticeable when /P near MW transmitter sites
• Opposite sideband suppression
• Poorly engineered KXPD3 key
• Some noticeable VFO tuning noise especially on the higher bands
• Many features work-in-progress
• Many accessories promised but not yet available (2m xverter, 100W PA/tuner, battery charger)
• No audio fixed level i/o interface for digital modes
Some of these weaknesses are consequences of choosing a direct conversion architecture and I’ve lived with these in some of my own DC designs. Elecraft offers an 8KHz IF feature that counters some of these problems but the roofing filters that I paid for are no longer accessible when using this feature.
The KX3 utility seems pretty good although I’ve only used it for firmware uploads and the memory editor from the K3 seems OK but basic.
The radio will improve as some of the missing features and accessories are included in new firmware releases and maybe some of the architectural artefacts will be improved by firmware compromises but for now the radio must be viewed as work in progress. In the meantime, my portable solution is still my trusty FT-817 and Elecraft T1.
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| KC9IWE |
Rating:      |
2012-08-19 | |
| Really cool and sensitive |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio is everything promised, everything heard and more!
Kit assembly is well planned and easy to follow much like the old Heathkit manuals. You must carefully follow directions, which is logical, but I got in a hurry and did not sort the lock washers as well as I should so there was a little backstepping required. No big whoop.
Like some others, I thought something was the matter with it when it was first turned on because it is so quiet. But then I started sorting out all the signals and heard so much!
My rig's first contact -- on its first try, by the way -- was on a state 75m net. The net control not only gave it a "5-9" he also thought it was 100w with a beam when, in fact, it was 5w on a G5RV.
My previous QRP rig was a wonderful, little Yaesu FT 817, which provided lots of fun and contacts. It's clear the KX3 will be even better for traveling, biking and hiking.
The fabled Elecraft customer service is -- well -- exceptional. I've been very impressed at how responsive the company and its owners are to customer concerns and suggestions. It's a model other companies should follow. |
|
| VE7IG |
Rating:      |
2012-08-18 | |
| New Beta Firmware for VOX keying |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Right after my previous review Wayne from Elecraft emailed me a beta firmware that implements full VOX keying!-- shows how attentive they are at Elecraft! If anyone wants this file just send me an email at the email address that shows on my VE7IG QRZ.com page. I am adding this new "review" for anyone who might want VOX keying as Wayne said to distribute it to anyone interested.
I've been using the transceiver a lot and several of the SSB QSOs received an unsolicited report of fantastic audio from people unaware I was using a KX3. I have been using the little hand mike from Elecraft. I still cannot believe how good this radio is and how easy it is to use, even for an old guy who hates menus! At a full 12 watts out it drives my Alpha 8410 amplifier to 500 watts output on 20 CW.
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|
| NO9E |
Rating:      |
2012-08-17 | |
| Cell phone technology in QRP radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Elecraft figured out that with SDR technology and new hardware one can achieve spectacular results in small space and with low power consumption. Elecraft also determined that most ham radios want knobs and don’t want zillions of cables or complicated software setups. Smart choice of using K3 display plus many of its menus/adjustments for reduced cost + easy upgrade for K3 owners. The end effect is flex1500 like design + computer + manual controls, all supercharged, ready to go a second after turning on, and weighing 1.5 pounds.
The feature list is impressive.
1. Transmit and receive equalizers. Lousy microphone can become DX element and poor signals (or old ears) get help on receive. No extra boxes.
2. RF-type speech processor. With TX equalizer this radio sounds almost like other 100W radios. No extra box. SSB efficiency is sorely needed in QRP radios.
3. Two preamps. One is never short of gain.
4. I/Q output for panadapter. Just connect a computer, and spend half an hr with HDSDR and OmniRig for nice 40KHz view. No extra box.
5. Second receiver. The span (some 15KHz, probably expandable to 40) is sufficient for most expeditions. No extra box.
6. Full control via USB cable including CW. No extra box.
7. Well marked dual function knobs with visual display of settings.
8. With special “roofing” AF filters, world class receive performance while drawing only 0.2A
9. Switch in PA for extra efficiency at lower power.
10. Good automatic antenna tuner.
11. Lots of other goodies, including APF, CW readout, fast automatic antenna tuner, separate knob for fast tuning (OFS),…
What is amazing is spectacular integration. KX3 just works. Turn knobs, press buttons. Receive, transmit, enjoy. No RF feedback. No smoke.
Some features are still under development, like more advanced NR and NB, and voice memories. No question Elecraft will amaze us with new features.
If there is fly in the ointment, it is focus on NiMH batteries inside. The world has moved to Li-Ion in better equipment long time ago because the difference in performance is so dramatic. Here, lots of problems with NiMH and long reliable service with Li-Ion. My favorite is 3S2P Li-Ion (12.6V max, 4.4Ah, 300g). A similar battery put inside my K2 some 6 years years ago traveled many continents, without a single problem. LiFePO3 are becoming popular but they are two times heavier.
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|
| AD4C2006 |
Rating:      |
2012-08-08 | |
| Great performance in a small radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I don't have any intention to own this wonderful QRP radio. I am not a low power kind of operator but my very best friend AD4Z purchased his KX3 and let Elecraft send it to me insted to keep it at my home for a week and tested in all bands and modes.
Honesty, I was not expecting it to be so good although I always have had confident in all Elecraft radios for been high performance.
The KX3 arrived two days ago in a well done package as usual and pulled it out, hooked it out to my 35 amp PS that also feed the K3 and put a 90 degrees BNC connector on the right side not to brake the chassis mount female BNC and after conecting my 40M dipole and turn it on, my first word was WOW ! when I heard how quite this RX is, even quieter than my K3, then started tuning the low part of the band for CW and found a US station around 7005 with a 20db signal and kept moving up and at 7005.2 there was a LZ station with a 569 signal so the QRM from the US station was terrible at a 1Khz BW but as soon I moved the PBT knob down to 100 Hz that strong US station disapeared and let me hear the bulgarian station nice and clear, best of all with no ringing noise at all. Selectivity with this new concept of variable roofing filter is very effective.
That night was raining and lighnting so I had lots of statics that were wiped out completely with the NB and without any distorstion in the received audio. Further more when band was very noisy I engaged the NR and band became very clean and no distorsion at all neither.I am sure the NR in this KX3 performs better than the one in my K3.
The QSK on CW is absolutely perfect, its like talk in SSB, I can hear in between letters and words any single click the other station send me,no relay sounds at all from the radio neither when is with the QSK.
On SSB is also a delight to operate and its very effective as much as the K3 is. Been an operator of my K3 for more than 4 years, it was too easy for me to figure out all knobs and functions of them.
I like the fact that you can as with the K3, customize your RX and TX audio using the 8 bands EQ trough the menu.You can have a well balance "full body" audio on ESSB for ragchewing or a high pitch audio good for dx/ contesting and be able to switch from one each other trough the use of front panel "PF1" keys exactly the way is done in my K3.
Radio even in CW using it for several hours at full power never got hot,not even warm.Temp of the PA never went over 46 centigrees.
Very light, probabaly will become the choise for DXpeditions with the 100W PA that is coming soon.
In general this little radio has nothing to envy the K3, it performs very close to the K3.
The received audio is super clean, no hiss at all when the antenna is disconected, something that happens with the K3.
The feature that I love the most even is limited to just 15 Khz separation, is the dual receiver that allowed me to work split a dx station
So again, I rise my cup of wine and propose a toast to the Elecraft succesful career and future.
Thanks again Wayne,Eric and the rest of the team for having made the best QRP radio in the world.
Hector
AD4C
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