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Reviews For: SIDE KX

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : SIDE KX
Reviews: 59MSRP: 64
Description:
Replacement End Panels for the Elecraft KX-3 and a snap on Lexan cover.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.gemsproducts.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00594.9
N9EET Rating: 2021-02-28
Excellent and well built Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well built and well designed and gives my rigs the protection they need. Great products.
KF7RAZ Rating: 2018-04-02
Perfect for my KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered mine at the same time I ordered the KX3. they I had them at my door within 3 days, they beat the radio!! I installed them as part of the initial assembly of the radio so they went in very easily. They are very well made, fit and finish is superb. I also ordered the plastic cover for transportation. I think the Side KX plates and the cover are a must for any KX owner that plans on taking their radio with them into the field. I am going to order a set for my KX2 as well. I honestly believe Side KX plates and covers should be a factory option from Elecraft!!
KY4PM Rating: 2017-11-08
Excellent addition to the KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I read many reviews both here and elsewhere before purchasing the Side KX side panels, cover and paddle port cover for my KX3. I have plans to start taking the radio with me on camp outs and possibly start looking at doing some SOTA activations and I am much more confident of packing the radio with this type of protection for the front panel.

The installation instructions were dead simple, even for a beginning maker/tinkerer. Found several videos online easily enough and had it all switched out in less than 10 minutes. The only issue I had was that the side panel that fit over the ports on the left side had a small amount of flashing or something in the mic port so the port did not stick through initially. Once I cleaned that out it fit perfectly.

I'll echo everyone else's comments about how much it looks like it came from the factory with these additions. Very well done product.
W1BV Rating: 2017-07-13
Well made products and Scott is a gem! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently purchased side plates, lexan cover and a key port cover for my KX2. Scott was a pleasure to deal with, delivered quickly and his products are very well made. Simple installation and utilization and I'm very pleased overall. Now happy to 'throw' my KX2 into a backback with no worries about damage to the unit.

5 of 5 from me.
N9YB Rating: 2017-07-12
High quality well engineered product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have both the KX-3 and PX-3 side plates and the poly-carbonate covers for both the Elecraft units.

The fit and finish are spot on. The lettering on the end plates matches the font of the KX-3/PX-3 and they look like they were meant to be there.

The covers are a nice tight fit but easy to remove and reset.

I had purchased my set at the beginning of the production issues with the covers. Scott kept everyone informed with frequent website updates and offered refunds to those who didn't want to wait it out. It was a long trial for him to find a production partner that could build the covers to the exacting specifications required. When I received the covers, they fit perfectly.

A must have for the KX-3 and PX-3 who users their rigs in the field.
WB6DJI Rating: 2017-04-28
Great Product A+ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Scott AK6Q,


The GemProducts Side-KX Panels and Clear Polycarbonate Cover are A+ rated must haves for my New KX3 compared to the Cheap Inferior Chinese look alikes made by WINDCAMP found out there
from China on Ebay !

Originally I purchased from China on Ebay the Wind-Camp Heatsink Shield Kit+Cover. These WINDCAMP Side Panels and Cheap Plastic Cover turned into a big disappointment for my New Elecraft KX3.

Upon receiving the WINDCAMP Chinese Cover, it had a Big Crack in it from shipping from China to the USA. The Plastic Cover is made of cheap plastic pieces that are thermally bonded together. Th slightest pressure and they fall apart and crack..

To add to my dismay, the WINDCAMP Side-Panels have a thin black oxide coating, and the slightest scratch took off the Black Coating. Another Flaw is that the Side Panels were Cheap Tin-Metal that easily Bent.

Also the WINDCAMP Chinese side plates made bad Case Ground Contacts making Noise in my KX3 whenever I adjusted the rear feet on my KX3.in addition to RF getting into my KX3 when I transmitted !

To add another blow to my Dismay, I could not get my KX3 to work long Duty Cycles on Transmit without the KX3 power being reduced for JT65 and PSK31 modes. After two minute's, the WINDCAMP unit
failed on JT65 with reduced output power !

To my rescue came the Scott, AK6Q, with his SIDE KX product from GemProducts, These Handle Side-Plates and Plastic Cover are
worth every penny. An A+ rated product.

No more Noise in my KX3 due to bad grounding when I adjust the rear feet on my Elecraft KX3, No more RF getting in my KX3 when I transmit.

The SIDE KX Side Panels have a durable finish that does not scratch off like the Cheap Chinese WINDCAMP Plates !

The GemProducts SIDE KX Clear Cover is made of Bullet Proof Durable Polycarbonate that is a Seamless Cover tougher than nails.

This SIDE KX Polycarbonate Cover is nothing but 1st Class
and thrilled at the superb quality of the Super Durable Clear
cover for the Elecraft KX3.

I plan to take my KX3 around the World and the SIDE KX will
protect my major investment that I have in the Elecraft KX3.

Scott, AK6Q left no attention to details, when it came to fitting the
SIDE KX Cover with the Kx31 Pro Audio Engineering Heatsink !

The Kx31 Heatsink fits perfectly mechanically with the SIDE-KX Clear Polycarbonate Cover where my WINDCAMP cheap Cover
did not match up mechanically. With the New Heatsink, my KX3 puts out 15Watts on JT65 and PSK31 without tripping out at
60deg C with operating in the Hot Sun for over an hour and no issues !

My Elecraft KX3 stays cool and really can take it while
being in the Hot Sun without failing.

You will not be disappointed, as I said, the SIDE KX is worth every
penny !

My hat off to Scott, AK6Q and the SIDE KX from GemProducts.

I wish I had found the SIDE KX products first rather than the WINCAMP KX3,

This makes me a firm believer, you pay for what you get, and
the SIDE KX is nothing but the best for your Elecraft KX3 !


If I could give a 10 Star rating, it would be for Scott AK6Q and it would be for his SIDE KX
product for the Elecraft KX3, a must have !

A happy KX3 owner

73
Mike
WB6DJI


G8ITB Rating: 2017-04-22
Excellent Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ordered the KX-3 Side plates/lexan cover & paddle port cover direct from Gems Products – quick shipping and great notifications! Wish I had waited a couple of weeks as the “new” items had come into production during the shipping period!!
Comparing the GemsProducts items against a set of Cheapo Chinese ‘Windcamp’ knock-offs – there is no comparison! The GemsProducts items are light years better in every measurable quality aspect! My suggestion to any reader is; pay the extra and wait a couple of weeks for the post to arrive! You won’t regret it! The video by John Doogan on YouTube is an excellent primer for those who may be faint-hearted in opening up an over £1,000 cost radio and playing about with screwdrivers! I've now ordered the ‘new’ PX3 products for the rest of my Elecraft portable/holiday line-up!
(I put a Cooler KX Plus heatsink on at the same time - no issues - look for the YouTube video by the young lady from Florida to allay any worries about fitting).
Richard G8ITB
WT8P Rating: 2017-04-15
High-quality protection for KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Planning to take my new KX3 hiking with me and wanted some additional protection for the radio. The Side KX, by Scott (AK6Q), is a sweet addition - very easy to install and professionally made (looking like they're original equipment). The transparent overcover snaps on when the radio's not in use.
DC3AFA Rating: 2017-03-24
Good protection for my KX2 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got my Side KX handles for the KX2 some weeks ago. Took me some time to get the slide plate with the antenna jack installed. Had to remove the antenna tuner to getting the nuts for the PA transistors back in place. Really nice product but high shipping costs to Germany
WH6EAO Rating: 2017-02-27
Accessorize Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wanted to give my KX2 some protection for longevity, the smaller the device the more I'm inclined to damage it (other than loose it). So, I picked up the side panels, mount (back) and cover. Scott was very helpful in advising a mounting solution (Ram Mounts) as a desk top or table top option that made the experience even better. Side KX products come highly suggested for most of your Elecraft KX line of products.