[Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
I have both radios that you have and using a Real Antenna the KX3 has by far the better receiver in fact they are not even in the same class. The whip antennas I have 4 different ones BTW all were a waste of money IMHO and sit on a shelf unused for some time, just use a wire antenna (even a short one) and the internal tuner on the KX3 will run circles around the G3 mine will. 73, Fred/N0AZZ K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 5210--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100 P3/SVGA--KAT500--W2 Amps Elecraft KPA500 HF/6m--Alpha's 9500 HF--87A HF--Mirage B-5030-G 300+w--(2) B-5016-G's 165w 2m -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chris Chien Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 9:47 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs? Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 m...@totalhighspeed.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 7:46 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 7:46 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
The KX3 works superbly well with a voltage probe antenna, such as the PA0DRT Mini Whip design. I've used my KX3 with a NASA Marine HF Active Antenna, too. All small, neat, tidy and high performance for listening. Performance comparing very well with full-size antennas. Chris G5VZ / WG5VZ On 18/08/14 17:10, Chris Chien wrote: I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 7:46 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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 ch...@g5vz.co.uk __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
You could use an active antenna (amplified) with the KX3 -- just don't transmit into it. The Grundig probably has the equivalent of an active antenna amplifier built in. Wayne On Aug 18, 2014, at 9:10 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
Using the PREAMP increases both the signal and noise at the same time. It works well with a 20dB gain active loop antenna, but it still not completely blowing the Grundig away. I might want to test it later with a full size dipole. Though the little G3 is not at all in the same class as KX3, but it is still comparable in terms of shortwave listening. 73, AC9FU Chris 2014-08-19 0:25 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: You could use an active antenna (amplified) with the KX3 -- just don't transmit into it. The Grundig probably has the equivalent of an active antenna amplifier built in. Wayne On Aug 18, 2014, at 9:10 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
The Grudig is a fine radio, lacking only the ability to transmit. Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 9:47 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Using the PREAMP increases both the signal and noise at the same time. It works well with a 20dB gain active loop antenna, but it still not completely blowing the Grundig away. I might want to test it later with a full size dipole. Though the little G3 is not at all in the same class as KX3, but it is still comparable in terms of shortwave listening. 73, AC9FU Chris 2014-08-19 0:25 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: You could use an active antenna (amplified) with the KX3 -- just don't transmit into it. The Grundig probably has the equivalent of an active antenna amplifier built in. Wayne On Aug 18, 2014, at 9:10 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
Wouldn't the fact that the bandwidth is much more narrow in the KX3 than your typical SW RX. So AM is much better SSB probably better (speaker used not mentioned). A lot of SW radios copy FM radio stations, hence better fidelity. The signal strength maybe just apparent because the Signal + Noise is greater My 2 cents worth, I'd give more but I have spent my money with Elecraft George, W6GF Sent from my iPad On Aug 18, 2014, at 8:59 AM, Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com wrote: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 7:46 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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 georgefrit...@yahoo.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
Both the bandwidth and speaker have been taken into consideration. With a short passive whip, the KX3 is far behind the Grundig, because even strong station is barely heard from KX3. However, an active antenna makes the KX3 much better, but still not significantly better than the little Grundig. In fact, this comparison is not a fair game for both rigs. The Grundig has a built in amplifier to work with the telescopic antenna, while the KX3 is not designed for that purpose. A safe conclusion would be that the KX3 is a little deaf using short whips, and the Grundig is a descent shortwave receiver too. 73, AC9FU, Chris 2014-08-19 0:54 GMT+08:00 George Fritkin georgefrit...@yahoo.com: Wouldn't the fact that the bandwidth is much more narrow in the KX3 than your typical SW RX. So AM is much better SSB probably better (speaker used not mentioned). A lot of SW radios copy FM radio stations, hence better fidelity. The signal strength maybe just apparent because the Signal + Noise is greater My 2 cents worth, I'd give more but I have spent my money with Elecraft George, W6GF Sent from my iPad On Aug 18, 2014, at 8:59 AM, Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com wrote: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 18, 2014, at 7:46 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: Someone said the KX3 makes a descent shortwave receiver using telescopic antenna. I connected a whip antenna with loading coil for 20m, and compared the performance side by side to a Grundig G3 shortwave radio. The latter was using its own internal telescopic antenna. However, the G3 radio turned out to be better than the KX3 in terms of both signal strength and clarity on SSB and AM. Is this normal for KX3? Has anyone ever tried using the KX3 with a simple whip? 73, AC9FU Chris __ 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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 georgefrit...@yahoo.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 for SWLs?
Hmm ... Above 49 meters an AlexLoop with the KX3 should work very well for SWBC. Phil W7OX On 8/18/14, 9:47 AM, Chris Chien wrote: Using the PREAMP increases both the signal and noise at the same time. It works well with a 20dB gain active loop antenna, but it still not completely blowing the Grundig away. I might want to test it later with a full size dipole. Though the little G3 is not at all in the same class as KX3, but it is still comparable in terms of shortwave listening. 73, AC9FU Chris 2014-08-19 0:25 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: You could use an active antenna (amplified) with the KX3 -- just don't transmit into it. The Grundig probably has the equivalent of an active antenna amplifier built in. Wayne On Aug 18, 2014, at 9:10 AM, Chris Chien auspicious3...@gmail.com wrote: I agree. I used a short whip simply to see if the KX3 is suitable for portable SWLs. In this case, I would say a short whip doesn't make KX3 a descent shortwave receiver. 73, AC9FU 2014-08-18 23:59 GMT+08:00 Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com: The Grudig has more gain because it is designed to be used with a short whip. The KX3 is built for high dynamic range with full-size antennas, so it will perform better with a long wire, dipole, vertical, etc., cut for the band in use. But if you have no choice but to use a short whip with the KX3 sometimes, you can increase the PREAMP menu setting to 30 dB (a per-band setting). 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 w...@socal.rr.com __ 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
