Hi All,

I'm glad (for some of you) that a 2 meter transverter will eventually be 
available for the KX3.  In my view, however, only having 2 meters really 
doesn't accomplish that much.  Yes, 2 meters probably still is the most 
significant VHF/UHF band, but it seems to me that 440 has become nearly 
equal, and even more important in some areas.  I don't know how much you can 
cram into the KX3, but unless I could get both 2 meters and 440 combined, it 
would still mean I have to have an alternative for those bands--it's like 
getting half a loaf.  A dual band HT does that for me.  If I need an HT for 
440, I might as well use it for 2 meters as well, and skip the transverter. 
The trade-off, of course, is not being able to utilize all modes.

More and more, both here locally and as I travel around a bit, I find that 
440 has become quite preferential in many places.  I'm not that much into 
VHF/UHF anyway, so it's easy for me to be a bit blasé' about it. 
Nonetheless, it just seems to me that most folks who are serious about these 
bands, are probably serious about both of them (if not more), and thus are 
apt to have some sort of all mode multi-band VHF/UHF rig for that purpose. 
If you are primarily just an "FM'er" on those bands, as I tend to be, then 
maybe you will see my point.  I can certainly see some benefit of having 2 
meters built into the KX3, at hamfests, or operating mobile, etc., but I can 
do all I need to do with a simple dual bander, or tri-bander, many of which 
are available for less than the cost of a transverter.

The purpose of this post is not to be critical of the KX3 accessory 
plans--not at all!  However, I guess I hope it might be food for thought to 
the folks in Watsonville about seriously considering whether or not they can 
expand the KX3 beyond just 2 meters.  If they can, that's pretty amazing! 
Wayne hinted it might be something they may consider, but he was very 
cautious about the possibility.  I'm just expressing my view as to why it 
might make sense, if it's possible at all.

Dave W7AQK 

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