 |
Woo Hoo!
20 April 2012 | by No it’s not what you might think. I did NOT get an e-mail from Elecraft telling me that my KX3 is on its way.
But I did find a slip in the mail asking me to come to the Post Office to sign for a package. I checked out the tracking number and it’s the Lithium Ion battery that I got via eBay. I know I have to be very careful charging it and all; but the smaller size and lighter weight will be a whole lot nicer than carrying around that sealed lead acid battery.
There is also the provision for using the internal battery holders; but I always get the heebie jeebies about batteries leaking and making a mess. I don’t use them in my PFR3A. I did have them in my K1; but ended up taking them out. When using internal batteries in the K1, you had to use a different speaker other than the original stock one. It was smaller to accommodate the space that the batteries took up and I didn’t like the way that it sounded. My K2 is always used with an external source.
Yes, it would be a lot more convenient to use the internal battery holders while out on a day hike; but the idea just doesn’t sit right with me. Silly, I know; but what can I say? I have repaired too many circuit boards in my day where the copper traces were eaten away from leaky electrolytic caps. My brain knows the likelihood of that happening inside a KX3 are probably close to nil; but I still feel that I don’t need to tempt fate.
So for in home shack use, I rely on my Astron RS-35 power supply. Yes, I know that a 35 Amp power supply is way overkill for QRP. But it’s a fantastic analog power supply and I’ve had it for years. I’ve even repaired it myself a couple of times. I like to think of it as an old car with a carburetor that I can service myself, if need be. Way easier than dealing with a switching power supply.
I had my fill repairing those back in the days when I was in the photo industry. The Broncolor studio strobes that I used to repair had switching power supplies. They were good; but did they ever generate RFI! I suppose that switching power supplies are a lot better than they used to be; but I know for a fact that my Astron generates no RFI at all – period. As long as it delivers stable DC Voltage, it will be at the bottom of my bench.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!
One Response to “Woo Hoo!”
 Ham Radio Deluxe |
 Ham Radio Prep |
 Ham Radio School |
 KB3IFH QSL Cards  Hip Ham Shirts  HamRadioAuctions Reliance Antennas Enigma Shop |  morseDX  Ni4L Antennas  R&L Electronics antennas.us Ears to Our World |
- Matt W1MST, Managing Editor
Always exciting getting a package, regardless of what it contains. Something we probably carry over from our childhood days. I recall checking the mailbox for freebies, Popular Electronics, collectible coins/stamps, electronics parts for projects, Sky & Telescope, Bazooka Bubble Gum prizes, etc.
Looking forward to hearing how you like the blue battery pack. I use mine often. Some comments –
The charger makes a racket. If this is charging while you’re on your HF rig, expect to hear it.
They don’t live up to rated capacity. Expect about 2/3 of the rating.
They take a long time to charge with supplied charger.
Radio Shack sells a mate to the output plug that is wired onto the battery, if you wish to keep it on there.