KX3 reviews on eHam.net

There are now 4 reviews on www.eham.net for the new Elecraft KX3 QRP transceiver and the rating is 5 for every one so far. See http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/10271. Although it is a lot of money it certainly looks one fantastic little radio. I am tempted!

There is a video walkthrough too by K2UM which is worth a look.

Elecraft KX3 - first products delivered

This email appeared on the KX3 Yahoo group today:

"I will do as I told the crew at Elecraft and help the pressure.

At 9:10 AM this morning (Sat) a nice brown truck pulled up in my drive and after I signed for it, gave me a 12"x8"x6" box that said "ELECRAFT KX3 Ultra-Portable HF/VHF Transceiver s/n 0024

Yes ... I got a call yesterday

I am hoping within a hour to be on 20 meters chasing WG0AT on his SOTA trip and putting it thru its paces on digital.

Thank you all at Elecraft ..

The game begins
You will be happy .......

Paul KB9AVO"

KX3 - more pictures

Some nice shots of the new Elecraft KX3 QRP transceiver at http://www.worldwidedx.com/elecraft-kx3/134267-elecraft-kx3-hands-preview.html.  This rig has still to start shipping nearly 12 months after first announced although the first units should be on their way to happy customers within weeks now. There were some late changes following extensive field testing and some supplier issues.

Elecraft KX3 manual

The soon to be released KX3 QRP transceiver

The preliminary version of the owner's manual for the latest Elecraft KX3 12W all mode 160-6m SDR portable transceiver is now available. The product is expected to ship very shortly now. Reading the manual it is clear this is a VERY impressive radio packed with features and facilities. Initial reports from field testers confirm performance of this little radio is up there with the very best, and all this in a size not much bigger than the control head of an IC703.

Commercial QRP: KX3 or FT818?

CQ Ham Radio Book

As I've said before here,  I just can't understand why an FT817 successor has still not yet appeared. The KX3 pre-release spec (now nearly 12 months old) gives a good idea of what is needed and Yaesu surely could beat Elecraft on price. Also, Yaesu's alternative is likely to win on size and looks.

Here in the UK, once import duty and tax are added, the KX3 will be expensive, so I am still hoping the FT818 will appear soon and be a more cost effective alternative. I love Elecraft kit but not sure that too many over this side of the pond will shell out over £1000 for a commercial QRP radio. An FT818 at, say, £599 would be a more cost effective investment. I say investment as my FT817 is now 11 years old and been the best amateur radio investment I have ever made.

So, I am still on the look-out for some HARD news from Yaesu Japan i.e. specs, price and release dates. If there are any leaks I promise you that the news will appear on this blog as soon as I get wind of anything. And of course, unlike the KX3 I expect an FT818 would be available as soon as an announcement is made.

The image above is linked from http://www.cqpub.co.jp .

KX3 review on eHam

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/10271

This is the first ever review of the Elecraft KX3 by one of the field testers using SN-0006 sample fitted with internal batteries and the optional roofing filter. The field tester was mightily impressed.

New Elecraft KX3 Photo

The new KX3 HF-6m 0-10W Elecraft All-mode transceiver

N1RX, who has been a field tester for Elecraft's new KX3 QRP rig, posted a photo on the KX3 Yahoo Group today showing the latest version of the transceiver. Deliveries are due to start shortly and it does look a very high specification radio, albeit quite a bit more expensive than the FT817. However it offers SO much more by way of features. It is more like a small K3 transceiver.  A look at its specification and features set is worth it. The guys at Elecraft do know how to design some very elegant QRP products. A copy of the user manual is expected to be available for down load within a few weeks.

Elecraft KX3 can now be ordered

On Dec 27th 2011 Elecraft announced that their new QRP radio can now be ordered with deliveries starting in about 8-9 weeks time. As a QRP radio the KX3 is likely to be "best in class" with some excellent features, but it is not low cost when loaded with options and imported into the UK after VAT and any duty is paid. See the KX3 page for more details.

The basic KX3 includes:

   * 10 watts output typical (13.8V) on 160-6 meters. (Up to 5W using internal batteries)
   * All modes (SSB, CW, Data, FM, AM)
   * Many features from the Elecraft K3, including the same full-size LCD
   * Advanced DSP features, including PSK31 and RTTY text display, noise reduction, auto-notch
   * Built-in 8-AA-cell battery holder
   * USB serial cable for firmware upgrades and for use with logging/contesting software

Available options include:

   * KXPD3 precision attached keyer paddle
   * KXFL3 dual-bandwidth roofing filter module for SSB/CW/Data modes
   * KXAT3 internal wide-range automatic antenna tuner
   * KXBC3 internal NiMH battery charger
   * MH3 hand mic with UP/DN VFO controls
   * RS232 control cable (optional replacement for supplied USB cable)

Although I certainly covet this little radio, I have not decided if I can justify the purchase, or indeed afford it!

KX3 release date

The Elecraft KX3 10W QRP transceiver is edging slowly towards formal release for orders. There is an enormous pent up demand for this 0.1- 10W QRP full featured HF/6m radio. Elecraft are still expecting to be able to announce that orders can be placed by the end of December with first products reaching customers in Feb 2012. I am still unsure if this is a possible candidate for my replacement to the IC703.

Elecraft KX3 internal photos

Elecraft KX3 rear view inside

Lots of QRP operators are eagerly awaiting the release of the KX3 from Elecraft early in 2012. This is a very compact all mode 10W rig suitable for home or field use. It was first lauched back in May 2011 and Elecraft have been busy completing the design and doing field tests. I came across some internal photos on VA3KV's site that I'd not seen before which give some idea of the design. It can be fitted with internal batteries and an internal wide range auto-ATU making it a very versatile transceiver packed with features. Spec is expected to be excellent and not far off that of the K3.

Elecraft KX3 or FT817 successor?

For some time now we've been expecting the successor to the FT817 to appear on the market as the current offering is now over 10 years old, with just a minor update in this period. Sunspots are rising fast now and I'd expect Yaesu-Vertex to release this within 6 months or miss a big window of opportunity.  The potential sales volumes are very large indeed as a large part of the amateur community owns an FT817 and would aspire to upgrade.

One wonders how Yaesu-Vertex is viewing the Elecraft KX3 and whether any changes to their new product will be made as a result of the KX3 pre-release data. The KX3 does look impressive but its form factor may not appeal to many. It also looks very "square" and Elecrafty! Although it can be used handheld, I understand you have to plug in a local microphone for example - a bit clunky for true handheld portable use, although you need an external mic with the FT817.

It is widely assumed that an FT817 successor will have a Li-Ion battery pack (2hr charge), built-in wide range auto ATU, good DSP features and possibly 70MHz coverage. The form factor is unlikely to be very much different from the current model, but with more inside.

Does anyone have any inside knowledge of Yaesu's release plans? If they don't get a move on the KX3 will steal the show. The KX3 is due to be released at the end of 2011 and order placement is starting very soon.

Never mind the FT818, bring on the KX3!

Someone has reminded me that Elecraft pre-launched their new "trail-friendly" all mode QRP rig at the Dayton Convention recently. This will be a VERY sophisticated and well equipped small portable transceiver covering 160-6m with some truly astounding features. See http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm . Don't expect to see it much before Christmas 2011 or later.

The Elecraft KX3 Ultra-portable multimode QRP rig

There is much excitement about the latest product from Elecraft, the KX3. This was announced at Dayton and it looks like a marvellous addition to the Elecraft range. See http://www.elecraft.com .