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Reviews For: Cooler KX TM Heatsink by VE7FMN for Elecraft KX3

Category: QRP Accessories

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Review Summary For : Cooler KX TM Heatsink by VE7FMN for Elecraft KX3
Reviews: 75MSRP: Model dependant
Description:
These hand crafted replacement heatsinks are designed to allow full power use of the KX3. High duty cycle users including digital operators will benefit from reduced incidents of transmitter power roll back due to overheating. Additionally the heatsinks can contribute to overall longer service life from their radios due to reduced internal operating temperatures. Available in two models and in two finishes. Complete information is available on the website.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ve7fmn.ca
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00755
VK2JNG Rating: 2014-12-15
Well Engineered Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just today I received my Cooler KX Plus heat sink from Fred VE7FMN. I decided to install it straightaway. Reading through the instructions again (I had them saved on my Desktop) I followed them step by step. Came to the point where there was no way I could put the test screw in by hand. Fortunately, I had also ordered the 4-40 tap to clean up the outer nuts inside the KX3. After doing this all screws Fred had supplied went in very easily just using my fingers. From then on I was ready to actually mount the heatsink. This didn't take much time at all and from mounting the heatsink to the KX3 I could see that Fred had done his home work very well. It just fitted perfectly!
If anyone has problems fitting the supplied screws that means you haven't cleaned the nuts inside the KX3 properly using Fred's 4-40 tap. Make sure you can screw in the test screw (black) just using your fingers and then try the shiny ⅜ ones.

Very happy with the end results and I like the compatibility with the Side KX covers.

Well done Fred...Great product.

Gerard VK2JNG
KX3 S/N 5782
PX3 S/N 0323
NM4T Rating: 2014-10-23
GOOD INVESTMENT Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Cooler KX does in fact solve the KX3 issues I was experiencing while running JT65.

As you know, this is a 100 percent duty cycle mode of operation. My "acid test" was to simply run JT65 on 10-meters at 5-watts.

Before, the KX3 would go into thermal protection after a small number of transmissions. Now, this is no longer a problem.

The original Elecraft heatsink plate would be hot. Now, it's not very warm to the touch on 10-meters and barely warm at all on the lower bands.

I know that this feedback is not very quantitative, but the results are quite noticeable and I can now run 10-meter JT65 all day long ;-)

(I've done 100's of QSO's with it, at home and in the field -- works great!)

As a newly retired aerospace engineer, I really appreciate the fine workmanship and the well documented installation manual.

Fred, VE7FMN, did a great job -- worth every penny invested.

Thanks.

72/73,

Craig W. Behrens--NM4T
The QRP SkunkWerks
AA4ZX Rating: 2014-10-12
Not cheap, but definitely worth the price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There's not a lot to say about a well-machined hunk of metal but I'm very pleased with this one. It fits perfectly, doesn't get in the way of the Side KX "handles" or cover, was simple to install (perhaps five minutes?), does what it's supposed to do, and looks like it belongs on top of my KX3. Modes such as JT65 are a much-improved experience now. Most positive of all was that Fred/VE7FMN was very easy to deal with - he replied to my emails very quickly and got my order out the door and through customs really quickly; faster than some orders I've placed on the left coast in the US to me here on the east coast.

Sure, you could bolt a railroad spike to the top of your rig and it might do more or less the same thing, but - this LOOKS good and is an easy install. Elecraft should have included something like this in the first place.
W4DRH Rating: 2014-10-06
Beautiful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wanted something different so Fred made me one in light GREY so it won't soak up the heat and match the grey buttons on KX3. Grey really looks good and Fred is an absolute pleasure to deal with. He should start a side business on "How to run a business".
Cheers to Fred
VE7HJ Rating: 2014-09-09
Great Product, Great Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently decided to make the KX3 my only HF radio. I bought the kit and had it assembled a few nights ago. But something was missing? So I called up Fred VE7FMN who lives in my town and he dropped by with one of his heat sinks. Not only did he deliver it he installed it as well. He even showed me the screw clearances inside the case before he closed it up. I have known Fred for 4 years and he is a true craftsman and perfectionist. Sure there are a few other heatsink's on the market, BUT!!!! If you love and respect your KX3 like I do mine. Then don't buy the second or third best product. Buy the best! Remember if you install the Cooler KX Heatsink when the radio is new you can expect a longer life from your processor and other sensitive components.

James VE7HJ
K4DXU Rating: 2014-09-01
Attention to detail Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I became a new KX3 owner recently. Since I use long transmit digital modes like JT-65 regularly, I knew from review of the Elecraft Operating manual that I needed a heatsink for my KX3 to prevent problems.

After review, I chose the Cooler KX Lite version in black powder coat. Fit and finish are first class, and the attention to detail is noticeable. For example, there is a lot of information concerning hardware - screws to you and I. They are not just 4-40 screws - they have to be the proper material, the proper length, and the proper strength. When you buy the Cooler KX, all of that is engineered for you and included. There is even a "test" screw to use to detect any thread burring problems that can be caused by paint contamination in the Elecraft PEM nuts.

All in all, the heatsink looks great, works great, and comes with very readable directions. Highly recommended.

73,
Bill
K4DXU
VE3LBL Rating: 2014-08-13
What to say about a product that works as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
One would think there would be nothing much to say about a product that is as advertised and has so many positive reviews. Wrong! The quality, fit and finish of the heat sink exceeds many OEM products. The installation was straightforward and took all of 10 minutes.

It extends the operating time to the point where my first session didn't have the KX-3 reduce power at all.

I ordered it on a Saturday morning, EDT and Fred had it out the door the same morning in PDT land. One really can't ask for more than that. I wish all transactions and products could be this non-eventful.
W0JEK Rating: 2014-08-05
Excellent product for the KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am starting to do a lot more digital work with the KX3 and have noticed it doesn't take much to get overheated.
While browsing the net one night I came upon a discussion about the benefits of larger, more robust, third party heatsinks,
and after a little research I was led to the VE7FMN Heatsink website where I placed my order for the Cooler KX Plus.

Delivery was quick and the product was well packaged, complete with all necessary tools and hardware for installation.
Customer service and support is great too, I have exchanged a few emails with Fred and you can tell he cares about the
customer's success with this heatsink.

I did not look at the instructions until after the heatsink was installed, and even then it only took a few minutes. I did
build the KX3 from a kit just a few months ago, so it didn't take much to the imagination to know what needed to be done.

It changes the look of my KX3, and I mean that in a good way, and there are no problems using it with the Side KX Endplates
and Cover either.

Product is well designed, the machine work is supurb, the finish on the product is excellent, but best of all, it works.

I would recommend this to any KX3 owner.
W6KL Rating: 2014-08-04
Great Addition, Easy Installation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a high quality addition to the KX-3. Perfect finish match, well engineered, and easy installation. All the necessary hardware is included, excellent detailed instructions and Fred is very responsive if you have any questions.
I installed the Plus model yesterday.... I don't have any performance data at this time but I have no doubt this will be a great way to help the PA run cool under all conditions.
A very nice addition to the KX-3.
AD5X Rating: 2014-07-31
Easy install & looks great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Installation is trivial - probably 10 minutes maximum. It looks good and feels good. Not sure how badly I needed it as I only operate CW, but it has to help with pulling heat out of the finals.