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Reviews For: Elecraft KXPD3 \"Precision? Keyer Paddle\"

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Elecraft KXPD3 \"Precision? Keyer Paddle\"
Reviews: 4MSRP: 169.95
Description:
Screw-on paddle accessory for the Elecraft KX3 QRP rig.
Product is in production
More Info: http://Elecraft.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0043.5
WT8P Rating: 2020-05-23
Okay for field use and casual QSOs Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The KXPD3 seemed like a good option and had the benefit of plugging directly into the bottom portal without needing to run yet another cord around the radio.

It mounts flush and firmly to the radio bottom, which is great for stability, but can present some awkward ergo-dynamics when working from a desk. The Key Line Pi add-on from QRPWorks extends the mount with a pivot (and longer cord), allowing you to move it to a better position.

For normal QSOs, the paddle is fine, but in contesting, there's enough slack that I prefer to use something smoother like the Begali Adventure Mono. It is fortunate that Elecraft made it possible to have both plugged in.
KG7WGX Rating: 2019-06-04
Redesigned KX3 paddle Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This has been redesigned by Elecraft to incorporate small wires which bypass poor/intermittent conduction across the paddle pivot posts.

In my experience, the result is now clean keying.

I don't believe anything has been done to address the contacts themselves, but these have not given me any trouble, yet.

Elecraft provides different springs to adjust keying force, and the required Allen wrenches to swap springs and adjust contact spacing. These procedures are obviously not something which is intended to be done frequently, but the instructions are clear and the adjustments stay set.

These paddles are not a Begali Adventure, but they aren't bad and they connect directly to the KX3. The Adventure uses a cable to connect to the key jack on the side of the transceiver.
K6SDW Rating: 2017-04-08
Nice addition to KX3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just bought the KXPD3 for my new KX3

First the disclaimer.....I'm not a hotshot CW op, maybe back in my novice days as wn6sdw. Now, I'm lucky to inch towards 20wpm these days, but only when going downhill and the wind is at my back. And no wine.

With that said, I like this little bugger. For the price, the KXPD3 fits perfect on the front of the KX3 and is very convenient to use.

Its definitely not your $300 ~ $500 key performance. the KXPD3 is definitely not the smoothest key I have used, but more than adequate for field operation, or just relaxing working a QSO or two.

I also like to use b mode for this paddle.

The cool thing is that Elecraft kept the external paddle port live so you can have to keys connected at the same. I use the Kent TP1 and the k1el Winkeyer for contesting.

Cheers all

73 ~ k6sdw
AA4BQ Rating: 2014-08-02
KXPD3 Needs re-design Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have fallen all over myself praising Elecraft for the product designs. On many levels, Elecraft products are the most impressive I've seen in my 50+ year hamming experience. I recently purchased a K3, P3 and the KX3. (Retirement gift). All are just awesome rigs. I also, without searching for reviews, purchased the KXPD3 keyer paddle accessory ($129 ouch) that is designed to attach to the QRP rig for field use. (If it worked WELL, it MIGHT be worth it.) This paddle has a couple of major deficiencies that I've experienced. Because of the way the keying circuit (dit and dah contacts) is designed, it become intermittent after a time. The circuit relies strictly on the physical "touching" of pivot points to make the circuit. This is really nothing new in basic concept. Lots of hand keys and even paddle designs by major players in this arena use physical, pivot point contact. However, there is one major difference in those and these. Those used variable "compression" pivots. Take a look at a Speed-X or Vibroplex pivot point adjustment. Clearly, the contact is certain. (Of course, in the case of the insulating nature of the jewel pivots used by some, they had to add a wire, grounding strap. We're not talking about those here.) In the case of the design used on the Elecraft paddle, and by comparison with the compression/adjustable pivots, the Elecraft design uses not adjustable pivot pressure. The pivots are made holes drilled into surfaces and a pin inserted much like a door hinge-type method. As a result, contact is hit/miss. Some people have solved this by going in and soldering a small wire from certain points to eliminate this. That works, to a point. The problem then arises from the fact that, after a time, the contacts themselves (which are simply a set-screw touching a metallic standoff)develope inevitable, molecular surface oxidation. Now, that's MY theory because the contacts don't appear to be plated with anything (silver, certainly not gold). So, if I am wrong about the plating, then disregard my theory but short of that, surface oxidation is inevitable depending on where you live. Taking the key apart and adding the wiring is my next step. However, I really would like to see some plating of the standoffs and contact screws as well as a design that includes positive electrical contact. It has become very annoying to have the keyer get worse and worse over time -- especially when dropping my callsign letters in the middle of a great pileup effort. And, with the price tag of $129 (not far from the full-size HEX KEY Elecraft sells)I know this exceptional company can take care of us on this one. I'd like to see a "recall" to be perfectly honest. A refund would work as well but I have not asked for either one. They are so proficient out there that they don't need me to help but for the benefit of hams prior to ordering this little unit, I offer this info of my experience. I sure wish I'd known about it myself PRIOR to ordering it. I will follow up after I've searched for other reviews and asked them if some sort of warranty is in order. They are good about that I've heard. 73.