As mentioned, you lose 70 cm. I do have the 2 m module installed but haven't had much opportunity to use it. The roofing filters and the overall receiver performance of the K3 will floor you compared to the 817 (I owned an 817ND). Working PSK-31 with a CW key is a blast (as a alternative to dragging the extra equipment around).
I have a Flex-6500 on the desk. I have been sorely tempted numerous times to simplify, sell and go with a KPA-100 and KX-3 combination to replace it. I've done many side-by-side receive comparisons and the KX3 holds its own nicely in typical conditions. So, not sure what you should do but as one that had the 817ND and now a KX3 I have never looked back. I suggest the roofing filter and the antenna tuner at minimum. I'm not a fan of the current internal charger option - that needs work. I use an external battery and fall back to internal only when necessary. The paddles work very well for me. I also have the Begali but the KXPD3 is good. Everything else (and I got it all) is just fluff I think. Whatever you choose... have a blast! 73, Kevin K4VD On Mon, Sep 12, 2016 at 4:08 PM, Barry <k3...@comcast.net> wrote: > Brian, > I would say the KX3 and KXPA100 is a good choice. I have this setup > now, and I use it for everything, QRP Field Day to contesting, and > everything in between. I have used mine on CW, SSB, and various digital > modes. It's been amazing. In my opinion, it is the most flexible radio > being sold today, and its performance is limited more by the environment > than the radio itself. > > I have mine set up to use spectrum display using Win4K3 by way of a > good sound card that is driven by the radio's I&Q output that Elecraft so > thoughtfully provided. I use this same output for CW Skimmer that gives me > local spotting over ~130 KHz of spectrum in the band I'm on. I also have > Ham Radio Deluxe connected for cluster spots and logging. > > Digital modes are handled via a SignaLink USB interface that takes the > audio from the KX3 and uses its own sound card. I use the aux out on the > back of the SignaLink to drive a pair of powered computer speakers. This > way I never need to change anything when going from SSB to digital except > to remove the mic and plug in the SignaLink in its place. > > To address your concerns about interfacing to the KX3 with a SignaLink > USB, it's pretty easy. You will need a cable for the radio and reset the > jumpers, or get the prewired header plug. The SignaLink USB does control > the radio, no problem. I would say go for it. > > > > 73, > Barry > K3NDM > > ------ Original Message ------ > From: "Brian ve3bwp Pietrzyk" <ve3...@gmail.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Sent: 9/12/2016 3:39:11 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] Soon to be an Elecraft(er)! > > Hello All, >> >> Not an Elecraft owner yet but making plans to be one soon. I’m just >> starting the research. >> >> A close friend is all Elecraft and I'm impressed. Even meeting the >> company owners and designers at Dayton has me sold on them. >> >> My QRP rig today is an FT817 which I love (I have been known to sleep >> with it under my pillow lol) and have had a few memorable QRP >> mini-expiditions on vacation trips to Central America, France and around >> the province. >> >> Currently my primary base rig is a Kenwood TS590 no complaints about it >> so far. I have been approached by prospective buyers with reasonable offers >> to sell both these rigs. So I am giving serious thought to using this >> opportunity to get a KX3 and the KXPA100 100W amplifier/tuner combo to >> replace my TS590 as a base radio. I would then use the KX3 on its own >> instead of the FT817 for my QRP trips. >> >> I am playing now with the HF digital modes such as FreeDV, PSK31, JT65, >> WSPR so hopefully CAT and audio interfacing to a computer is easy. Today I >> use a SignaLink USB. >> >> I like the idea of getting to know one radio really well (the kx3) by >> using it as my primary rig on the road AND at home (maybe even in the >> mobile at some point). I would then save my pennies for the PX3 and even a >> KX2 for lighter travels at some point. >> >> Is it safe to assume i won't be loosing any performance by making this >> chance and even gain some? >> >> Hopefully no trolls on this group. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Ve3bwp >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> Message delivered to k3...@comcast.net >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to ke...@k4vd.net > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
