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Posted: 7/2/2014 8:45:40 AM EDT
Ordered the KX3 this morning.
I used one at the VA qso party and thought it was a good radio. Then during field day it was confirmed. While AR-Jedi and Bigdaddy are partially to blame, most of the fault is on Echomancer. Package 1 PAE heatsink 
Package 2 Side plates and cover 
Package 3 Faceplate and serial number They forgot to put this in the box. They emailed me that day and mailed it out. It beat the radio haha. Serial number is in the 6k, guess they have been selling a few 
Package 4 The radio has come! 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 8:57:08 AM EDT
[#1]
Congrats on your new rig!
I wish you guys would quit buying those friggin things! Note to myself: I don't need another radio, I don't need another radio, I don't .... 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 8:57:34 AM EDT
[#2]
Welcome to the dark side.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 9:02:46 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ordered the KX3 this morning. I used one at the VA qso party and thought it was a good radio. Then during field day it was confirmed. While AR-Jedi and Bigdaddy are partially to blame, most of the fault is on Echomancer. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ordered the KX3 this morning. I used one at the VA qso party and thought it was a good radio. Then during field day it was confirmed. While AR-Jedi and Bigdaddy are partially to blame, most of the fault is on Echomancer. Congrats! It's a great radio. Quoted:
Congrats on your new rig! I wish you guys would quit buying those friggin things! Note to myself: I don't need another radio, I don't need another radio, I don't ....
If you ever want to try one out you know where to find one (somewhat) close to you. Come on...give it a try...all the cool kids are doing it...the first QSO is free. 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 9:22:09 AM EDT
[#4]
Congrats, gcw!
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Posted: 7/2/2014 9:41:59 AM EDT
[#5]
You're welcome
BTW, Field Day overview video should be done by Friday :) |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 10:28:41 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You're welcome
BTW, Field Day overview video should be done by Friday :) Sweet. Hopefully you can edit my ramblings into something at makes sense
While I was at it I add the 2m module (doesn't ship until September). Wayne posted on the email reflector that he has got 4-5W out of it. Since the idea of the radio (for me) is SOTA type stuff. 5W and my Arrow ontop of a hill would do pretty good. Now I am having second thoughts. I am going to call to confirm with them, but it looks like the module doubles the current draw. The KX3 draws around 200mA and can get down to 150mA. They say with the 2m module current draw on RX is around 300-350mA. Unless that is only while in 2m operation, or there is a menu option to disable it while on HF I don't think it fits what I want the radio for. I will report back on what they say. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 10:39:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Congrats. Hopefully we can get what we discussed working. :D
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Posted: 7/2/2014 11:12:17 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Sweet. Hopefully you can edit my ramblings into something at makes sense
While I was at it I add the 2m module (doesn't ship until September). Wayne posted on the email reflector that he has got 4-5W out of it. Since the idea of the radio (for me) is SOTA type stuff. 5W and my Arrow ontop of a hill would do pretty good. Now I am having second thoughts. I am going to call to confirm with them, but it looks like the module doubles the current draw. The KX3 draws around 200mA and can get down to 150mA. They say with the 2m module current draw on RX is around 300-350mA. Unless that is only while in 2m operation, or there is a menu option to disable it while on HF I don't think it fits what I want the radio for. I will report back on what they say. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
You're welcome
BTW, Field Day overview video should be done by Friday :) Sweet. Hopefully you can edit my ramblings into something at makes sense
While I was at it I add the 2m module (doesn't ship until September). Wayne posted on the email reflector that he has got 4-5W out of it. Since the idea of the radio (for me) is SOTA type stuff. 5W and my Arrow ontop of a hill would do pretty good. Now I am having second thoughts. I am going to call to confirm with them, but it looks like the module doubles the current draw. The KX3 draws around 200mA and can get down to 150mA. They say with the 2m module current draw on RX is around 300-350mA. Unless that is only while in 2m operation, or there is a menu option to disable it while on HF I don't think it fits what I want the radio for. I will report back on what they say. There is. Welcome to the cult.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 11:38:05 AM EDT
[#9]
So the 300mA draw is only on VHF?
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Posted: 7/2/2014 11:57:32 AM EDT
[#10]
Congrats on joining the club! Hopefully I can work you summit to summit one day!
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Posted: 7/2/2014 12:40:24 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Congrats on joining the club! Hopefully I can work you summit to summit one day! That would be awesome. BTW do you have anymore pictures of your nalgeen case for the kx3? |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 1:04:37 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That would be awesome. BTW do you have anymore pictures of your nalgeen case for the kx3? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Congrats on joining the club! Hopefully I can work you summit to summit one day! That would be awesome. BTW do you have anymore pictures of your nalgeen case for the kx3? Here is what I have. I can certainly take more if you let me know what you are interested in seeing. They run about $18.00 on Amazon. 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 1:05:22 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So the 300mA draw is only on VHF? I would imagine so. Mine only draws 150 or so ma on receive. So about 150ma additionally for the VHF on top of the HF. The menu on mine does have the 2M module on/off, but I don't yet have a module. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 1:51:27 PM EDT
[#14]
i hate you all. i would love to have one but i just cant pull the trigger on a $1000 radio that is only 10w. i still want one though. the wife would KILL me though if i did order one.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 2:28:45 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
...the wife would KILL me though if i did order one. We won't tell her, trust us.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 2:33:54 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We won't tell her, trust us. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
...the wife would KILL me though if i did order one. We won't tell her, trust us. Yeah, what radio 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 3:02:22 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We won't tell her, trust us. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
...the wife would KILL me though if i did order one. We won't tell her, trust us. right now i am pretty pissed at her. i had my radio, tuner and PS on top of my battery charger and inverter in a box, well, it seems she had a can of paint that leaked into the bottom of the box. imagine 1/2-3/4 of an inch of latex paint in the bottom of a box. radio, tuner and PS are ok except the cord for my power adapter for my tuner is inside all that pain as is my inverter and my battery charger. i am in the process of putting my hurricane power box back together for the year and went to get everything together and that is what i found. i am NOT HAPPY right now but on the good side i did finally brake down and buy a battery tender Jr for the hurricane box so at least i can charge my battery. to bad i wont be able to power anything because my inverter if now glued to the bottom of a cardboard box. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 3:41:33 PM EDT
[#18]
I just got off the phone with Elecraft. They confirmed that the 300mA draw is only on VHF. When the radio is in HF mode the 2m module is powered off.
That makes me a happy camper. That combined with the Arrow antenna could make for a decent mountain top rig. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 3:52:15 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
radio, tuner and PS are ok No they aren't. They are ruined and need to be replaced. It is her fault and she should buy you a new KX3 to replace them. 
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Posted: 7/2/2014 4:06:51 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No they aren't. They are ruined and need to be replaced. It is her fault and she should buy you a new KX3 to replace them. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
radio, tuner and PS are ok No they aren't. They are ruined and need to be replaced. It is her fault and she should buy you a new KX3 to replace them. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. update, battery charger will need to be taken apart to remove paint from inside the cooling vents and it will need new clips since they ripped right off. i still cant get the inverter to budge. im more pissed about the inverter than the charger since its a cheap walmart charger and didnt charge to the voltage i want it to. so far the battery tender Jr is getting the job done. update #2, inverter is toast. i am NOT taking that thing apart to get all the paint out of it even if i could get the paint from around it. i did get some off the bottom and found corrosion so its shot. need to make a run and grab a new one i guess. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 4:37:33 PM EDT
[#21]
Buy this too.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 4:57:55 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryI was close but decided a solar setup would be more useful at the moment. I have thought about selling my Youkits to help fund it but not set on the idea. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 5:23:10 PM EDT
[#23]
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Posted: 7/2/2014 6:26:19 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryI ordered one of those Sigg cases, but didn't like the lack of clearance lid to bottom. My KX3 with Side KX end plates would bow the lid out, without any additional padding top or bottom. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 7:04:14 PM EDT
[#25]
You won't be disappointed.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 7:11:34 PM EDT
[#26]
I am excited. I think I am going to get two of those condor water pouches. One for the radio and one for the battery/power cables.
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Posted: 7/2/2014 7:36:06 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryDear lord that is sexy. |
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Posted: 7/2/2014 11:05:01 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dear lord that is sexy. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dear lord that is sexy. Yea it is 
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Posted: 7/3/2014 12:55:38 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryStop it. |
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Posted: 7/3/2014 6:20:29 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryI've wondered if that is actually waterproof... |
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Posted: 7/3/2014 6:22:26 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Something I'm not going to find out with a $1300 radio. |
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Posted: 7/3/2014 7:08:20 PM EDT
[#32]
Welcome to the KKKK!
(KX3 Kool Kids Klub)
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Posted: 7/3/2014 7:15:22 PM EDT
[#33]
I was going through my emails a little while ago and noticed I ordered two paddles. That is a problem because I am just now learning how to send with one hand, much less two.
Called them and they apologized and that the package was on it's way out the door. They went and pulled them and said they will be refunding my card. Great service. Also the side plates shipped. The heat sink guy is out of town (understandable for the 4th) but sent me an email saying he would ship as soon as he was home next week. The plan is coming together
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Posted: 7/3/2014 7:21:52 PM EDT
[#34]
"I love it when a plan comes together."
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Posted: 7/3/2014 8:38:57 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Something I'm not going to find out with a $1300 radio. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Something I'm not going to find out with a $1300 radio. Something you might find out the wrong way with a $1300 radio... |
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Posted: 7/3/2014 8:40:24 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Even if it was, the few I saw now have an antenna connector out the side. |
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Posted: 7/4/2014 12:00:26 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... It is a standard Sigg Box, and they have do have a thin gasket in the lid. I have one, and would say it is highly water resistant, but not waterproof. Under normal use, water won't get in. Submerge it in a lake, and you will likely find a leak. These boxes also dent very easily. |
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Posted: 7/4/2014 8:56:19 AM EDT
[#38]
I had looked at the sigg box but decided against it due to digital work. The heat would build up under the faceplate unless you used a fan etc to ventilate. Running a fan would take some juice that I want to use for transmitting.
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Posted: 7/7/2014 5:46:30 PM EDT
[#39]
Package 1 in OP
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Posted: 7/7/2014 5:58:55 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It is a standard Sigg Box, and they have do have a thin gasket in the lid. I have one, and would say it is highly water resistant, but not waterproof. Under normal use, water won't get in. Submerge it in a lake, and you will likely find a leak. These boxes also dent very easily. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I've wondered if that is actually waterproof... It is a standard Sigg Box, and they have do have a thin gasket in the lid. I have one, and would say it is highly water resistant, but not waterproof. Under normal use, water won't get in. Submerge it in a lake, and you will likely find a leak. These boxes also dent very easily. Good to know, if I ever decide to go this route. It would mainly need to be rainproof when closed. |
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Posted: 7/9/2014 5:50:44 PM EDT
[#41]
Package 2 and 3
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Posted: 7/9/2014 8:33:09 PM EDT
[#42]
3 packages and still no radio. OP fails to deliver.
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Posted: 7/9/2014 8:53:15 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
3 packages and still no radio. OP fails to deliver. 
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Posted: 7/11/2014 10:56:39 PM EDT
[#44]
Package 4 The radio has come!
It went together pretty well. I have a few screws and washers left over, but I guess that just saves weight or it is because Elecraft sends you extras/spares (is that so hard for others to do?)
There is plenty of thermal compound on the heat sink and PA. Right now I am running off of battery power and everything seems to be working. I still need to calibrate the filters, but that sounds like a project for tomorrow. |
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Posted: 7/12/2014 8:22:43 AM EDT
[#45]
An update after playing with it all night (the radio you pervs).
The receiver is amazing it pulls out so much. The ergonomics are really nice but the side plates kinda get in the way of a couple operations, however they are worth it. So far my only gripe has to be the power of the audio amplifier. It is just so quiet that you have to leave it cranked up or use an external speaker. Last night I was running of new energizer AAs. I had the radio running for a couple hours before I talked on it. I heard some guys on 40 finishing up a QSO, so I sent my call. He came back with my prefix and QRZ? I sent it again but half way through the batteries gave out 
Also the CW decoder is amazing. I have used other decoders but the just throw a lot of Es and Ts out. I listened to 3 different rag chews and read the whole thing. It is also really neat to use it for learning to send cw. |
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Posted: 7/12/2014 8:39:34 AM EDT
[#46]
Get a amplified PC speaker to help the weak audio.
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Posted: 7/12/2014 8:41:48 AM EDT
[#47]
Remember that with thermal compound less is more. Generally apply to both mating surfaces and use a razor to remove excess-only filling the voids!
Kinda makes me wish I was brave enough to tear my radio apart to use compound on the PAs. Did you remove coating on the external case for the heatsink? After reading more I decided it wasn't strictly necessary. |
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Posted: 7/12/2014 8:53:05 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Get a amplified PC speaker to help the weak audio. There is one in the last picture. |
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Posted: 7/12/2014 8:56:24 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Remember that with thermal compound less is more. Generally apply to both mating surfaces and use a razor to remove excess-only filling the voids! Kinda makes me wish I was brave enough to tear my radio apart to use compound on the PAs. Did you remove coating on the external case for the heatsink? After reading more I decided it wasn't strictly necessary. Even less makes a mess
I took the finish off of the outside case. It is thick, really thick. Once I got it smooth I put compound on both surfaces and then spread it with a credit card. The amps were a little more tricky just because I didn't want to make a mess. Bring it over sometime and we can put it together. I put the whole kit together in less than 2 hours with a screwdriver and pair of needle nose pliers. |
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Posted: 7/12/2014 9:08:46 AM EDT
[#50]
That went together fast! Looks great!
This explains why you weren't on the IRLP/Echolink net last night! LOL!
I received the PAE heatsink yesterday from one of our Arfcom brothers to try out and compare to the others. |
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