KX3

 

KX3 Transceiver (Preliminary)

Note: This is advance information. Specifications and option/accessory availability are subject to change without notice.

KX3 Ordering and Shipping dates will be Fall-Winter 2011

  • 160-6 meters, SSB/CW/DATA/AM/FM modes

  • 10 W PEP (100 W with KXPA100 amp)

  • Only 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg)

  • Current drain as low as 150 mA

 

  • Internal wide-range antenna tuner (ATU) and battery options; built-in speaker

  • Advanced DSP provides dual watch, noise reduction, noise blanking, autonotch, stereo audio effects

  • Software-defined radio (SDR) architecture plus roofing filters (KXFL3) for excellent dynamic range

  • Operates in data modes (PSK31/RTTY) with or without a PC; includes RX I/Q soundcard outputs

Ultra-Compact Home/Portable/Mobile Station

The revolutionary Elecraft KX3 puts the world in the palm of your hand! Despite its small size, it covers all amateur bands from 160-6 meters, operates in all modes, and has DSP-based features usually found only on larger radios.

The KX3’s unique form-factor allows you to operate from anywhere. Fold out the rear tilt-feet for use on a desktop or picnic table, or add our rugged mobile mount bracket for vehicle use. For extreme portability, you can add the internal wide-range ATU, 8-AA cell battery pack with NiMH charger, and adjustable KXPD3 keyer paddle. With a whip antenna, you can even operate hand-held.

In receive mode, current drain can be as low as 150 mA – about one-half to one-third that of competing all-band portables. Transmit efficiency is also excellent, further improving battery life.

Full-Featured, yet Easy to Use

The KX3 features a large front panel with all controls optimized for convenient use. You won’t have to dig through menus to set the power level, adjust the keyer speed, or change filter settings. And the KX3 has the same full-size display as the Elecraft K3, so all operating information is available at a glance.

The KX3’s tutorial-style manual explains how and why controls are used, so new hams will be experts in no time. Of course you’ll also have Elecraft’s legendary customer support, and free firmware upgrades via the internet.

KXPA100 External 100-Watt Amplifier

Our high-performance KXPA100 home/mobile amplifier seamlessly integrates with the KX3 as well as other popular 5- to 10-W transceivers. It has its own internal ATU option (KXAT100) with dual antenna jacks.

KX3 STANDARD FEATURES
  • 160-6 meter ham bands; general coverage from 1.6-30 MHz

  • (optional broadcast-band filter module covers 0.5-1.6 kHz)

  • All modes: SSB, CW, Data (four sub-modes), AM, FM

  • Ultra-compact size: 3.4”H x 7.4”W x 1.7”D; 18 oz. (less options)

  • Rear tilt feet fold up for transport

  • Custom high-contrast LCD with alphanumeric text display

  • Current drain as low as 150 mA in receive mode

  • High-performance 32-bit floating-point DSP

  • Built-in PSK/TTY decode/encode allows data mode operation without a PC; transmit in data modes using CW keyer paddle

  • Low-noise synthesizer with 1-Hz tuning resolution

  • Firmware updateable via provided application software

RECEIVER
  • Quadrature down-sampling mixer compatible with PC-based SDR

  • (software-defined radio) applications

  • Receiver I/Q outputs for use with PC soundcard

  • Narrow roofing filter option with four bandwidths (500 Hz, 1500 Hz, 2700 Hz, 3800 Hz) for excellent dynamic range

  • Switchable preamp (2 levels) and attenuator (2 levels)

  • 8-band receive audio equalizer

  • Dual watch over +/- 10 kHz range; uses applicable roofing filter

  • Easy-to-use PassBand Tuning (PBT) for shift/width/hicut/locut; roofing filters automatically track DSP filter settings

  • Automatic and manual notch filtering; adjustable noise reduction and noise blanking; binaural audio effects for enhanced receive

  • Center-tuning indicator for CW and data modes

  • Built-in speaker; stereo jack for headphones/external speakers

TRANSMITTER
  • Adjustable output, 0.1 to 10 W+ (100 W+ with KXPA100 amp)

  • Rugged, SWR- and temperature-protected final amplifier stage

  • Optional MH3 microphone with PTT and UP/DOWN functions

  • Optional attached keyer paddle with spacing adjustment

  • Switchable PA output impedance for efficient 5-W or 10-W use

  • Fast, silent, PIN-diode T-R switching – no relays

  • DSP speech processing for excellent “punch”

  • 8 band equalizer tailors passband to your voice and microphone

OTHER FEATURES
  • Built in digital voice recorder (DVR) with two message buffers

  • Internal CW keyer with 8-50 WPM range

  • Six CW/DATA message memories

  • 100 general-purpose memories store VFO A/B, modes, etc.

  • Accessory/RS232 port for computer control using supplied cable

  • Full remote-control command set works with most amateur radio software applications (emulates Elecraft K3)

  • One-click firmware upgrades via the web (with free PC software)

  • Optional mobile bracket compatible with RAM-mounts

  • Tutorial-style manual ideal for new hams

OPTIONS and ACCESSORIES

KXFL3 Roofing Filter Module (500/1500/2700/3800 Hz)

KXAT3 Internal, Wide-Range 20-W Automatic Antenna Tuner

KXAM3 Broadcast Band Filter Module (0.5-1.6 MHz)

KXBT3 Internal 8-AA Cell Battery Pack with NiMH Charger

(batteries not supplied; non-rechargeables can also be used)

KXPD3 Precision Keyer Paddle

KXMM3 Mobile Mount Bracket (see below); for use with an appropriate RAM-mount™ or equivalent (not shown)

MH3 Hand Microphone with UP/DN Controls

KUSB RS232 to USB Adapter

KXPA100 High-Performance 160-6 meter, 100-W Ampflier

(see below); usable with most 5 to 10 W transceivers

KXAT100 Wide-Range 100-W ATU with Dual Antenna Jacks

(attaches to KXPA100 module)

Elecraft KX3 demo at the QRP ARCI convention - 'Four Days In May'