KX3 Overview & Review

Elecraft KX3 Overview and Review by Bob Nagy - AB5N

[@eddy2561]

Watching again in 2023 this excellent video, PSK31 long gone with FT8/4 dominating the HF airwaves. I bought my KX3 about the time Bob produced his video and I'm still amazed how well this rig was designed. 73/K6SDW

[@schoocg]

This VID review is 6 years old and still very relevant. You always do such an amazing job, thank you! PS: I finally ordered a KX3 and it arrives next week. CANT WAIT.

[@noth606]

schoocg and we're again later and it's still as relevant as before, if I had the green to plonk down for this I wouldn't hesitate. From every test done properly that I've found it is by far the best there is in its size and price category still today in October 2019, quite a testament to the work the guys who designed this. But it's still a surgeons scalpel, a tool for someone with the means to get the best and likely to use it well, neither of which I'm equipped with at present. I hope you're still enjoying yours. 73's

[@leegroce2943]

Thanks for the overview and information! Very helpful!

[@johnhucke5325]

I'm brand new to HF and the KX3 and I enjoyed the video and learned something. Thanks K3JH

[@drdiesel1]

Best KX3 video I've seen to date, thanks! Sure wish mine would get here.

[@K7CWJ]

Very informative. Great work. I can't wait to get mine!

[@hamrad88]

Very informative video. Would love to have a KX3. Thanks for taking the time to share. Tom

[@athiker7209]

Elecraft makes some great gear. One of our hams, now SK "NØSS" used to test their new equipment, so our local Ham Club usually got to see the latest news and updates that these babies can handle. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@N2RRAny]

Freaking sick rig! Put my order in. Can't wait!!

[@CharlesMartel676]

Can't wait for mine! UPS man should be bringing it this weekend!!!!!

[@IDriveAnAudi]

Great demo of a fantastic radio!

[@briannorth2690]

Superb video Bob, best on here so far, thank-you.

[@MrVk4tux]

Fantastic Bob, Just received my KX3 fully optioned like yours. Just yesterday I was looking for a way to switch AGC off/on etc. I had a K3 years ago, and great to get a Elecraft again. Great tips, thankyou. Adrian vk4tux

[@beast543210]

Excellent video. Well done. Gave a detailed and easy to understand review.

[@n9oqu]

Thanks bob for modifying my Japanese made Icom 7000 microphone a few years back. its never let me down.

[@WA8QFE]

First rig I've bought That I really had to read the manual ( several times). Great in the woods. Lee, WA8QFE

[@jonglei]

Thanks for this video, Bob. I really enjoyed the clear way you have to explain the features of the KX3. The quality of the picture is excellent, plus your titling and music integration at the beginning and the end really smart. Well done, thanks again and 73 Fernando, EA4BB

[@thormusique]

Thanks for this excellent demo of a fantastic radio! Unfortunately, now I really want one.... ;-)

[@loughkb]

Very nice overview and a great choice of features to talk about. My KX3 gets delivered tomorrow and I'm so pumped over it I'll probably have a hard time getting to sleep tonight. It's such a clean receiver, it will be the best I've ever had in my 40 years of being a ham. I also love that it has an I/Q output. There's a great python based panadapter out there that should run on windows and mac as well as linux, giving you a great waterfall view of the band. Also, in the utility software for the radio, there's a terminal mode where you can operate keyboard CW/PSK/RTTY directly through the radio. It's an amazing little rig.

[@inferno7654]

Very nice video, complete and useful demo.

[@ColdestMoon_Channel]

Excellent review. Thank you. I think this could replace my FT817.

[@aeronwilliams94]

great review.... got one on my shopping lisr

[@jfyles]

Mine got here Friday. Now to learn about. ,So far..what a radio! very impressed. the receiver is very hot. Thats about as far as I have gotten. More reading and playing

[@Yavor54]

Thanks so much! I do instructional videos, so I always work from a script.

[@alphonsorivera1111]

Thank you,,,,,, awesome video.

[@opencct]

Excellent video and review. You're using a good external speaker, sounds great. Would have liked to hear some CW. Waiting now for my kit to arrive ! 73 F5VJC

[@TJCampie]

you've got some high SWR there bud ;) nice video review. Also had super super super good results for FD. dit dit sn288

[@seduce2u]

WOW I never care for QRP until now, and not just that I think this radio would make a nice base station with a small QRP amp and then to the bigger amp, great video, thank you and good DX 73's.

[@fwijnja]

nice review.thanks

[@paullinnell]

Nice video. I just got my KX3 a few days ago and am playing with it. Ser. # 373....Lots of bells/whistles! Thanks for producing the video! 72/73 Paul N0PL

[@chris38663]

Leaving the product aside, outstanding video production!! Very professional. As for the KX3, mine will be here in 90-120 days. Ha!

[@rstiosejo]

Hello Bob. Just Subscribe on your Channel should have done it back in 2020 when I started viewing your Ham Channel. I had an issue yesterday playing with my KX3. Change my Calibration from what came with the KX3 to the default on the manual. And it change my frequency about a negative 1 on 40m. Got hold of Doug Technical Support from Elecraft. Was able to guide me through the calibration change through 10.000.00 which was not that clear. So I decided to calibrate it to 20m on a QSO. Using my FTDX-10 as a guide on audio transmission. I still need to learn how all controls on the KX3 works. Since I'm not a technician, software, or electrical engineer. My learning process is longer. Reading manuals I only have a 50% comprehension. KZbin is faster but I have to view a lot of channels to get an understanding. I'm going to view more of your videos on the KX3. You can view all my equipment on my QRZ page. Stay Safe. 73 Ruben KD6CWI

[@K1OIK]

I can't seem to tune in PSK and CW to decode on mine, also if I turn the audio up all the way I get lots of speaker distortion

[@m0rjc]

How well does the CW decode work in practice? I'm not confident yet at my own ability to decode, but with a radio that does it for me I have that backup and can likely learn quite well to do it myself.

[@echampine]

Thanks for the video. Does it have banks where you can keep messages and use them for calling CQ and such for CW? Once again thanks. 73

[@K4MJV]

This video was shot over 8 years ago and tis radio is still one of the best, if not the best, portable HF rigs around.

[@wa9vfd841]

Portable? I think it's in the Top 5 of all rigs.

[@dawud1603]

Bob, Wonderful video. I have a question for you and it doesn't relate to the radio. There looks to be a fountain pen on the right side of the frame. Am I seeing correctly? If so is it an Edison Pen? A Collier maybe?

[@o2bnov0307]

I may have an opportunity to buy a used KX3 (I'm told it has all the options). Would this still be a good buy? SK family is selling the radio. I have an FT-891, and for QRP I have a TR-25. Thoughts, pro & con, welcomed. TNX!

[@danos161]

very nice

[@Fishermanfred1]

Hello Bob. I have the kx3 as well. The speaker sounds good. But when I turn the volume up fully it just doesn't seem to be loud enough. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks, Fred. 😀

[@rpcomms1]

Wondering if they will do a firmware\hardware upgrade for Narrow FM (2.5khz max) for european use for 10m & 2m as we dont use wide fm (5khz max) as such in UK\EU market?

[@Robmarbz]

Nice review Bob, the KX3 is the top of qrp rtx. Unfortunatly, here in Italy it's a little bit expensive but I must have it... My piggy bank + a hammer = KX3. Thanks for the video. 73 de in3ade

[@dougier8093]

very nice radio

[@davidnachbaur6805]

Thanks

[@lojzekotar8922]

Very informative-vielacht gibt es auch in der deutshe Sprache , Ich werde Ihnnen sehr dankbar ! Alles Gute ! LAU DEO

[@johnratcliffe6438]

How does the DSP compare to Yaesu DSP?

[@Munky332]

looking for a dedicated HF radio for digital transmissions (ie RTTY/PSK31) but i'm limited on budget. what does one of these go for?

[@CondoreComputing]

A bit over $900, deffinitly not the cheapest radio for that kind of job.

[@Munky332]

yea. i think i'm just giong to get a used Icom 7000 or 7100. i kind of like the 7000. i was lookign at the yaesu 857's but the 7000 is really growing on me.

[@ai4w]

Very Good Review! 73- Pat - Ai4W

[@omaralilateef9904]

TNX FER all information best 73,s DE YI1OM

[@n9eerptr]

KX3 is very nice QRP rig, but other rigs costing less have same features and more and 100Ws. Get KX3 if you wanting to work QRP, but for the new Ham QRP takes patience and knowledge. A new Ham will most likely get discouraged. QRP is more for the experimenter, but is fun.

[@m0rjc]

What now is a good portable radio? I was thinking of this for camping/portable as a possible replacement for my old Yaesu 897. It would seem a big step up in terms of quality and features as well as weight and packing size, but yes only 10W. (Though I did well at 10W on my Foundation License when I had it, even with not so well home made antennas, and keep low power now for battery reasons)

[@o00scorpion00o]

What strikes me is how quiet the receiver is with great audio, my 7300 hurts my ears the white noise hash is very harsh sounding.

[@KC6CNN]

Hello Bob Long time since we spoke. Great video, I enjoy my KX3 #757 on my ranch using wind turbine and solar. Awesome Radio Gerald-KC6CNN

[@K1OIK]

I could only get RTTY to decode on mine

[@paimg0uut]

fantastic review pro review for sure thank you i will add it soon vy 73 elan g0uut

[@ajanover55]

A couple of times you mentioned something about 'Field Day' on the 'West Coast'. I don't understand to what you are referring. Field Day is based on GMT. It begins and ends at the same time all over the world.

[@n9eerptr]

Field Day is not based on GMT, but the times are given in GMT, 1800-1800 GMT, so all are on same page knowing when it starts and stops. have to translate to your time zone. I think in the video clock is set to GMT to relate to the time for all can see. Field Day is based on field operations for EmComm practice.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Had no interest in this rig until I saw this vid... I'm floored by the features. I this the IC7200 and FT817 I have need a new friend in the shack lol KC9FJE

[@yclept9]

IM with no space is a U umlaut, as I recall.

[@johnzimmerman3021]

Also,the maritime CW station in Slidell / Pearl River, LA used it as a "carriage return".

[@swashington942]

Can you do a comparison between the 817 and the k3 plz? I'm sick of these idiots saying the kx3 is not better or it's close to the same performance as the 817.

[@n9eerptr]

KX3 is better than FT817 for KX3 has IF DSP and 817 has AF DSP (kinda useless). but 817 $600, KX3 $1500+, the price of better rigs like FT991 or IC7410 100W rigs and with more features. KX3 is QRP rig one of the best, but very costly, IMHO. I have a FT817.

[@ricpaolon]

ELiTE_OpTiic SD Hair radio

[@ricpaolon]

ron wright our reddito

[@JohnGuillorykf5qeo]

Nice Radio, too bad for folks who don't know CW, or prefer to use a straight key.... ;-)

[@TheMedic5194]

Elecraft kx3 field

[@rstiosejo]

Gave you a Thumbs Up. KD6CWI