People who own the Elecraft KX3 generally rate it very highly as it is a very feature rich product with an excellent receiver. However to buy one with all the features such as the auto ATU and the internal battery box is EXPENSIVE. For the price of one fully loaded KX3 one could buy 2 well proven FT817ND transceivers.
One has to question whether the KX3 truly is worth the extra cost. Although a trail friendly radio, the KX3 does have a messy cabling interface with wires everywhere, it would appear, from both sides! By contrast, the FT817 has simple, clean interfaces and is as happy in the field, in your hands or on a desktop. The KX3 looks functional, but hardly a thing if beauty.
I'd be interested to hear the views if others.
This video, by Jim Mullen, is the first part of 2 that compare the RX of the KX3 and FT817.
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One has to question whether the KX3 truly is worth the extra cost. Although a trail friendly radio, the KX3 does have a messy cabling interface with wires everywhere, it would appear, from both sides! By contrast, the FT817 has simple, clean interfaces and is as happy in the field, in your hands or on a desktop. The KX3 looks functional, but hardly a thing if beauty.
I'd be interested to hear the views if others.
This video, by Jim Mullen, is the first part of 2 that compare the RX of the KX3 and FT817.