Sean, I think with a limited antenna, (Buddipole) extra power will not make a huge difference. “You can’t work ‘em if you can’t hear ‘em.” is a truism. I suggest for your home station, you experiment with “low profile” antennas. Like a fine wire tossed up in a tree or draped out an upstairs window or…
Buddipole is good for portable ops. For a more permanent home installation try for better. The better the antenna the better you’ll hear. I’ve worked China, most of Europe and South America, Several Oceania stations with my KX3 and 5 watts… With a good yagi at 55’… And Europeans and South Americans on 40 and 80 on a vertical. Yeah, I know… You can’t do that. You’ll do okay with the Buddipole, but you can do better with a bit of trial and error. Good luck and good DX 73 Gil, W1RG From: Sean Wall Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:23 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Hi folks, I recently got my Technician license and I'm working on my General and Extra. I'm looking to get my first rig and I'm interested in the KX3. I was considering pairing it with a Buddipole antenna, as my development doesn't allow permanent antennas. While I use the KX3 at home, will I get decent range with the 10 watt output? In other words, would I need the 100 watt amp to make the kx3 a decent base station? I am also planning on bringing the KX3 with me when my wife and I drive up north from Florida (where we live). Since I'm new to amateur radio, I don't yet have a feel for how much power 10 watts is w.r.t. RF frequencies. I plan on operating mostly 6 and 10 m initially until I upgrade my license. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Sean Sent from my iPad ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html