Getting to Know You: The Elecraft KX3--a quick POTA activation with one extreme QRPp contact!

[@jackharness8061]

Hi Thomas, it was nice being the first contact in this activation while you were running 100 milliwatts. I was also using a KX3, and I used the Audio Peaking Filter (APF) to pull your signal from the noise floor. You were weak but decipherable 😁 I look forward to working you again. 73 N8EYF

[@daijoactual]

Ah spoiler alert! :)

[@jackharness8061]

KX3’s can spoil you 😉

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It was a fantastic surprise hearing your signal pop out of the ether! Nice KX3 to KX3 action!

[@billneedham9652]

Sitting in a hospital waiting to go down to have a valve replaced in my heart, enjoyed your video Tnx’s 73 ..

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Here's hoping that valve replacement and your recovery all go amazingly well! :) 73, Thomas

[@ashtont.griffin5717]

Thanks for sharing this information. I recently purchased a used KX3 along with the PX3 panadapter. I am quickly learning what a great radio this is to use from my front porch. So the information you have shared is invaluable. Thanks again.

[@bolovanro]

KX3 power consumption its between 160 and 220mA (around). Also on TRX: 3W around 1A, 5W around 1.5A, 10W around 2A and 15W around 2.5A. Depending on the band. It's not the most efficient (SW3b around 60mA in RX and 750mA on 5W). But...with good internal batteries (I use eneloop rechargeable batteries)...with 3W I am able to operate around 2-2.5 hours (I made a WWFF activation...around 50-60 contacts and around 2 hours of operation...CW of course). It's a true shack in the box. On funny part: I was able to tune my father car (true, I didin't make any contact). But it was able to tune. I have/had a lot of rigs (portable and desktop)...but by far it's my favorite. The audio it's superb (in fact...only dx10 have better receiver...). The tuner it's fantstic.

[@betterbprepared]

I've been torn between the KX2 and the KX3. I would love the addition of the 2m band and the roofing filters on the KX3. However, the internal, rechargeable batteries, the built in mic and the smaller size makes the KX2 very attractive for a grab and go radio. Love the videos.

[@ChroniclesofHamRadio-yh2ed]

Which way did you go?

[@betterbprepared]

@@ChroniclesofHamRadio-yh2ed neither of these. I ended up finding a local person with a Lab599 TX-500 for sale at a very good price. I purchased that and I am very happy with it so far. Since the TX-500 does not have an internal ATU, I purchased the ATU-10 QRP Automatic Antenna Tuner by N7DDC, and it works pretty good. Yes, it is an additional item to have to pack in the bag, but it is very small (not much bigger than a deck of playing cards).

[@pkvalsvik]

Jeez these vids are just getting better and better 😂

[@donausmus4281]

Thanks so much for your "getting to know" videos and all the others also!! By the way, my KX3 will be here in 20 days. I was thinking that a 4.5 ah Bioenno will be more than enough.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It will for sure!

[@d3w4yn3]

This is a great, really get the feel of this rig, kind of video! Of course, you are forcing me to buy one, but then, I knew the risk of watching any of your videos!!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! Indeed. It's dangerous to see some these radios in action!

[@MD0MDI]

That first contact was obviously send a fair bit slower than you were sending, maybe a new Morse operator, just wondered why you would not slow down to his speed, I am just recovering from Cancer treatment and it has seriously hit my CW copying speed, I have never been a high speed operator but now I often find 10 wpm a struggle, I found it difficult to copy you at the speed that you send in this video, I am in no way complaining as I really enjoy your videos, it was just me being curious as a compromised operator these days, thanks to your videos I am a new KX3 operator, thanks for the videos, James MD0MDI

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, James, I hope your treatment recovery is going well. All the best to you for a complete recovery and I hope this kicked cancer to the curb. :) Great question. So I always try to match the speed of the person who contacts me--I'm a big believer in QRSing. That said, I rarely actually slow the speed of the keyer down, rather, I space the elements and words accordingly. Sometimes, if I'm being honest, my brain doesn't register that someone is sending slowly. Much like you may run into someone in town and not notice that the cadence of their speech is a bit slow--perhaps, instead, you notice their accent or other things going on around you at the time. You simply don't have your attention focused on that aspect of your communication. Same thing happens with me in CW from time to time. In this case, I was talking with the camera and quite excited to work someone with such low power! Also, N8EYF is an avid POTA activator and hunter. I've logged him numerous times over the past year. Hope this helps to clarify! Happy to hear that you're working on your speed again, OM! All the best! Thomas K4SWL / M0CYI

[@walshgeo]

Thomas another great video. I have one question about your recorded messages. How were you able to record a cw message? I was not able to record a message using my external key . Thanks in advance for your help. 73 George KB3WAQ

[@patring620]

There are six CW message memories in locations accessed by the switches 1 - 6 (PRE - DLY), Tapping one of these switches after tapping MSG will send the message in that memory. Each memory location holds 250 characters maximum. If CW text decoding is active, the VFO B display area will show what is being recorded. You may record a message as described below with the internal keyer (an external keyer driving the KEY input cannot be used) or you may use the KX3 Utility program to enter and save messages. Recording a Message with the Internal Keyer: Select CW by tapping MODE. Hold VOX to enter PTT mode so you won't be transmitting while recording. Hold MSG and then tap the key for the memory where you want to store your message (PRE - DLY). Send the message to be recorded using either your paddle connected to the KEY jack or the KXPD3 and the internal keyer. While you are sending your message, the remaining character buffer space will be displayed. When recording CW messages you may add ". . _ _" at the end of the message to cut the idle time when playing back a message while operating RTTY or PSKX31. Tap MSG again to stop and then hold VOX to leave PTT mode. (However, it is a good idea to stay in transmit test mode until you have checked your message by playing it back.)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for helping George! This is a brilliant function of the KX3.

[@randallhash9283]

Just curious…What paddle are you using in this video? 73…WB4BBF

[@ThomasK4SWL]

This one: cwmorse.us/products/cnc-machined-aluminum-pocket-double-paddle-key?ref=pHGSYqNC

[@brianve7jyd943]

nice one thanks - i almost made contact with you back on the2 oct on 14.058.4 but the pile up was so big with big power i cudnt bust thru -- then the bands faded and u were gone - almost lol 73 VE7JYD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for trying!

[@loyannmunyan1174]

Will the Kx3 and pan adapter fit in the bag with a lifelong battery?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Not sure. I've never owned the pan adapter. Perhaps someone else can comment? I know that my GR1 will hold everything.

[@jkruse1151]

Have you ever tried any digital mode in your videos. I know your a big Cw person and you might have done voice but that had to be some time ago. A video for ft 8 would be cool to see

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Actually, I hope to do an FT8 activation in the near future!

[@jkruse1151]

@@ThomasK4SWL that would be cool. Like your video and the CW cool but another mode would be cool with the K2 or K3

[@kenwing6196]

Why do you send 72?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

qrper.com/2022/07/why-i-send-72-instead-of-73/

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Unfortunately this was one that I cud tell you were in there but not strong enough to work. I wouldn't know if you turned it back to me or not. Bummer! but we're still in there trying! thanks for being there !. de Ellis WA1RKS !

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks for trying, OM!

[@BenVonHandorf]

Thanks as always for another pleasant, relaxed video! I'd appreciate it if you'd stop sending me radio shopping over and over, but I feel like that is more of a flaw on my side. 💸 de AB4EN

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha ha!!!! I'll try to turn down my "radio enabling" functionality! :) Yeah, good luck with that! :) 72!