KX3 Is Here

Posted on by December 17, 2013
IMG_0441

Elecraft KX3
As Delivered

Well yesterday, UPS delivered a small box clearly marked as a factory assembled KX3.  After I signed for it, my wife commented: “You’re not going to open that before Christmas are you?”.  Pack your bags, we’re going on a guilt trip!

Now I have a brand new KX3 still in its sealed box sitting under the tree calling–“open me, open me!”.

The un-boxing and initial perceptions will have to be delayed until Christmas.  Until then, I’m still reading all the write-ups I can find on the KX3.  I have also found a lot of good YouTube videos describing how to operate and configure the KX3.  Hopefully, I can hit the ground running on Christmas day.

Fred, KC9QQ

ARRL 10 Meter Contest Fun

Posted on by February 4, 2014

It was nice to spend a little time on 10M this weekend.   I couldn’t put a lot of time in because I had a Christmas Party and other distractions but at least I was able to make some contacts and work one ATNO, All Time New One (Monaco).  It was also an opportunity to practice my CW.  I am noticing some improvement, but I’m still not as skilled as many of the other contesters.  I still have not tried to RUN stations because I don’t yet have the confidence  that I can copy call signs coming back at me at 30 to 35 words per minute..  Therefore my contesting activity is primarily Search and Pounce.

I probably would have put in a little more effort but I was distracted because my new Elecraft KX3 was supposed to arrive on Monday.  I can’t wait to get it on the air.  Of course my wife will probably make me wait until Christmas to open the package!!

I operated Mixed mode but most of my contacts were CW.  It seems that 10M was closing down sooner than last years CQ WW.  I worked a few Japanese stations, but last year they were much stronger and easier to work.
Fred, KC9QQ
Here is my summary:
               ARRL10M Summary Sheet
        Band  Mode  QSOs    Pts  Mul
          28  CW      315    1260  100
          28  USB    100       200    39
       Total  Both  415     1460  139
            Score : 202,940

Elecraft KX3 on the Way

Posted on by December 17, 2013
Elecraft KX3

Elecraft KX3

After finding myself spending more and more time operating CW I decided to add an Elecraft KX3 to my shack.  My first exposure to the KX3 was at the Bedford, IN hamfest this fall.  Since then I have spent several hours reading the many glowing reviews of this rig on eHam.com.  I also downloaded the manual from the Elecraft site and spent a several more hours studying the manual.

I decided to purchase the KX3 pre-assembled with the internal antenna tuner.  I decided not to build the kit version because for me the mechanical portion of the assembly of my K2 was the least enjoyable part of assembling the kit.  Since the KX3 kit is only mechanical assembly, I decided to just go ahead and purchase it pre-assembled.  Unfortunately I will not have the KX3 in time for this weekends 10m contest which promises to have outstanding propagation (SFI 160+).

I should have the new rig in a few days and will post my initial observations.   Later I plan to put together a more thorough review of the rig.

73,

Fred