Category Archives: Gear

KRX3 Sub Receiver Springs to Life

Posted on September 12, 2012 by robert

Despite being pretty successful using my P3 to visually locate the spot where a DX Station is listening in a split-mode pileup, with the number of people that just transmit blindly even when instructed not to, sometimes visual just doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Lessons Learned From Installing the K3 12VDC Out Current Modification

Posted on September 9, 2012 by robert

This weekend I decided to tear my K3 apart.  It had been working flawlessly since January, and no good deed goes unpunished, so it was time mess up a good thing.  I wanted to install the second receiver (KRX3) and … Continue reading →

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Extending Your Honda Generator Run Time

Posted on August 6, 2012 by robert

Outside of raising an antenna tower, probably the most dangerous activity during Field Day is refueling the generator.   A few clubs have back-up generators that they can quickly switch over.  Other clubs have battery backup that allows the rigs to … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Power, From the OM, Gear | 1 Comment

A dedicated 240V line better for the KPA500

Posted on July 23, 2012 by robert

When I purchased my KPA500 at the end of last year, I didn’t have a 240V outlet in the ham shack, so I was forced to run off of a 120V feed.  Unfortunately, the ham shack is about 75 feet … Continue reading →

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Field Day Satellite Success

Posted on June 25, 2012 by robert

After operating Field Day last year by myself (Category 1E) and remembering back to the fun I had with my fellow club members during FD with K4BFT in Huntsville, AL and K2AE in Schenectady, NY, I sought out a club … Continue reading →

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A 12 Ounce QRP Antenna

Posted on June 22, 2012 by robert

My KX3 fits in a small video camera bag, along with all the accessories (mike, paddle, PC cables, DC cord, spare batteries, solar charger, etc.), with room to spare.  I wanted to add a light-weight antenna to make a complete … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, QRP | 2 Comments

The IC-9100 gets added to the D-Star list

Posted on June 9, 2012 by robert

With the VHF/UHF contest this weekend, I figured I would dust off the IC-9100 and see if I could scare up a few SSB QSOs.   Within a couple of minutes I had a two on 2 meters and one … Continue reading →

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KX3 in the CW CQ WPX Contest

Posted on May 28, 2012 by robert

Many things test the metal of receiver.  The ability of a receiver to survive a busy contest is certainly a key test. I had the opportunity to use my KX3 in the CW CQ WPX Contest this weekend.  20 and … Continue reading →

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Rocking the QRP World

Posted on May 6, 2012 by robert

So after a busy weekend I had 4 hours to mess with the KX3.  It is simply amazing.  Of course this is still very early in the product release cycle and parts of the firmware have yet to be completed, … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, QRP | 2 Comments

QRP Nirvana – the KX3 has landed!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by robert

After finishing work today, I was surprised to see a FedEx package from Elecraft — My KX3 had arrived.  I spent an hour getting used to things, checking out the sensitivity and filtering, determining the current consumption,  and figuring out … Continue reading →

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