Considering the speaker size though, it ain’t bad, particularly with the latest firmware versions. There was quite a bit of distortion at high volume on it with earlier firmwares, but they figured that out and, as of the latest firmware, the speaker is better. But, no, you won’t get room-filling audio from it, but is a small speaker. 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Aug 30, 2013, at 10:36 PM, Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> agreed.  I've only used the kx3 a couple times, but I was impressed with 
> it's performance as well as the antenna tuner.
> It's only slightly bigger, with antenna tuner installed, than a typical 
> kenwood tm v71 or d710 control head.
> Buttons and knobs are well layed out.
> The onboard speaker is rather tinny and can be difficult to listen to for 
> long periods or with any noise around but again, you don't buy the radio for 
> the quality of the speaker...use head phones or a small outboard speaker and 
> it's fine.
> That isn't to say the onboard one is useless, but it's no 3 or 4 inch 
> speaker like on the larger bass style radios.
> 
> Combined with any old HF amp that will take a 5 or 10 watt input and put out 
> 100 watts or more and you've got all the power you need.
> There are even amplifier kits out there that you can have built very 
> cheap...less than $300 all told that will take a 5W input and put out 100W 
> or more from 160 through 10M.
> The elecraft amp will match though and probably be very small and easy to 
> use.
> There are plenty of mobile HF amps out there that would work well with the 
> kx3.
> QRP is a game for the very patient or the very limited operator...that is, 
> limited for reasons of RFI etc.
> That ain't me lol.
> 
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Kutsch, KY2D" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 6:58 AM
> Subject: The Elecraft KX3; was: Amateur Contact Log Accessibility
> 
> 
>> Gerry,
>> I think the KX3 is an amazing radio. I have had mine for  a little over a
>> year now and am very happy with it. It has the best receiver of any rig I
>> have used. It has the advantages of a software defined radio combined with
>> full front panel knobs and buttons as the user interface. So, you do not
>> need to have a PC connected. It has an optional built-in antenna tuner 
>> that
>> works well.
>> 
>> As for accessibility, the knobs and buttons report what has changed in CW.
>> Also, the frequency can be read out on request via CW. One thing that 
>> isn't
>> available in CW is the options in the setup menu. But, those may have CW
>> readout in a future firmware release. However, menu options can be changed
>> through CAT commands from a P C with a screen reader.
>> 
>> It's a QRP rig with max power of 12 Watts. With my minimal antenna
>> situation, I, personally, want a little more power. I have the matching
>> Elecraft KXPA100 linear amp on order but they haven't started shipping 
>> yet.
>> The amp will be fully controlled from the rig and thus, the CW readout 
>> will
>> be available.
>> 
>> There are at least two other KX3 owners here on the list and I know they 
>> are
>> very happy too.
>> 
>> 73, Jim
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Gerry Learry
>> Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 8:01 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Amateur Contact Log Accessibility
>> 
>> Hello Jim,
>> 
>> How do you like the KX3?