Speaking of operation, I've made several contacts on SSB voice between 5 - 10 watts of power, and several PSK31 contacts using 5 watts of power. When I make a contact, I can press a button and see the time and note it in my log. One operating feature that I've found really handy is the clock, which I have set to UTC time. I purchased my KX3 with the optional MH3 hand mic for SSB operation, and the KXBC3 internal battery charger / real time clock. I should also mention the radio allows you to turn the power down to 0 watts, which is perfect for CW code practice. ![]() The KX3 will definitely help me shortcut this goal, because: 1) it is forcing me to clean up the code I send, and 2) I can use the text decode as a crutch until I am more comfortable operating CW on the air. I have mentioned before that I am in the process of learning CW (a.k.a morse code), and am getting closer to operating with it. Even better, you can see what you send as you key your paddles. Simply zero beat a CW signal (either manually or by using the auto-spot feature) and right there on the screen you see the text being sent. The filtering really adds to the ears of the radio, and I can pull signals out of the static with relative ease.Īnother operating feature that I am enamored by is the CW text decode. Don't get me wrong, I still very much like my 817nd and recommend the purchase for anyone interested, but it's not nearly as powerful or flexible as the Elecraft KX3. Back to the filters I had contemplated beefing up my Yaesu FT-817ND, and adding an optional static bandpass filter, of which the radio can only take one (or two if you use the W4RT dual filter), and the BHI DSP module, but ultimately I thought it would be better to save my money and go with a radio with a more modern architecture. Speaking of, the receive capabilities of this radio are outstanding, and was one of my biggest draws. The DSP filters work very well, and you can control the bandwidth, shape, and position of your filters in a number of variable configurations to optimize receive performance. Much has been written about this radio, and I don't want to parrot everyone else, so I'll focus on a few areas that were purchase considerations for me. I feel you learn more about how things work by and gain more satisfaction by getting your hands dirty. As you may have guessed, I love building my own gear. Many of their kits require soldering, while some of the newer kits (including the KX3) are no solder kits, and are more akin to building a computer. I'm a big fan of Elecraft the philosophy of the company focuses on building, and many, if not all, of their products are available in kit form. ![]() Since I already owned a perfectly good portable QRP tranceiver, the Yaesu FT-817ND, and because I'm a regular person who doesn't have unlimited funds for buying radio gear, I controlled myself from purchasing this truly awesome radio for a long while. In fact, I've been a lurker on the KX3 Yahoo! group since June 2011. The KX3 has been on my radar ever since it was announced in 2011. ![]() I've been spending a lot of the time I dedicate to radio experimentation, learning and using my new purchase. I haven't done much circuit experimentation recently, and for a good reason I am the proud owner of an Elecraft KX3 tranceiver, which I picked up partially as a reward for my recent Extra Class ham radio license upgrade and partially to expand my radio operating abilities.
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