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Last active January 23, 2025 00:55
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Elecraft KX3 Cheatsheet
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elecraft-kx3-cheatsheet.md

Elecraft KX3 Cheatsheet

The KX3 transceiver is designed for HF amateur band operation. The KX3 natively supports 160m - 6m.

An optional 2m accessory can extend the band support to 2m, though the installation of that accessory is a more intensive, electronics hobbyist task.

WARNING

As with all radios, do not transmit when the antenna is disconnected. Avoid touching the antenna or feed line when transmitting. Power down the radio and disconnect the feed line when making antenna adjustments.

Avoid excessive temperatures:

  • When charging internal batteries, select 4 hours or less. Only charge when necessary.
  • After transmitting for a few hours, cease transmission to let the radio cool off.
  • Optionally, install a heat sink over the top edge of the transceiver.

PRIMARY INTERFACE

Power on / Power off: Press and hold Band-. Then press and hold ATU Tune. Finally, release both buttons. Recommend to habitually press the Band- button first, in order to avoid accidentally tuning, especially when antennas / feed lines are disconnected.

Main menu access: Press, hold, release DISP.

Navigation: VFO knob.

Value selection: Frequency knob.

Confirm main menu selection: Press, hold, release DISP.

Charging

  • KX3 requires 8x AA internal batteries in order to boot up, even when using an external power source.
  • Prefer 8 x NiMH rechargeable AA internal batteries (nominal 1.2V).
  • Set low battery threshold to 8 x 1.2V = 9.6V.
  • Recommend Adafruit USB Type C 3.1 PD to 5.5mm Barrel Jack Cable - 15V 5A Output adapter for either internal battery charging, or continuous external power supply.
  • Recommend FXLION Nano ONE V Mount Battery 14.8V as a more convenient power source than the internal batteries. This also keeps the internal batteries in reserve as an emergency backup.
  • When using USB Type C AC wall adapters to charge internal KX3 batteries, disconnect other devices. Many wall adapters lack sufficient output power to charge the KX3 and other devices simultaneously.

Procedure for charging internal batteries

  1. Power on the KX3. (This requires a minimum level of internal battery charge remaining.)
  2. Open the main menu.
  3. Select BAT CHG.
  4. Select 4 hours.
  5. Optionally, power down. The screen will show a charge countdown timer.
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