KX3 Field Kit
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:48 pm
I have used Pelican boxes in the 1150 size for years for transporting my KX3, PX3, keys and a 10Ah battery. A few months ago I tried to devise something which would let me take just the KX3 for "pack it in" operations, in one of the 1150 boxes.
I wanted the radio, battery, earbuds, paddles and a mini-mike to fit in the waterproof box. Whatever antenna I decided to take could be in a stuff bag, packed separately. This would also apply to a kneeboard & chair (if I wasn't going very far.)
The first picture shows the antenna bag, 20ft mast and the Pelican box
Tbe second picture shows the components laid out
The third picture shows how the battery, earbuds, paddles and mini-mike fit inside the Pelican box
Here are some links and notes for this kit -
Shure SE112 earbuds https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE112-GR-I ... B00EWOK09G
Pelican 1150 case https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1150-Cam ... B000N9PQEI
Elecraft KXPD3 paddles https://elecraft.com/collections/keyer- ... key-paddle
M0JKS mini-mike https://www.etsy.com/listing/1608688419 ... ft-kx2-kx3
Bioenno BLF-1203AB battery https://www.bioennopower.com/products/1 ... attery-pvc
Balun Designs 9:1 Unun https://www.balundesigns.com/model-9130 ... 300-watts/
Tufteln choke https://tufteln.com/products/hf-rf-choke-rg316-bnc-cmc
Tufteln KX3 cover https://tufteln.com/products/kx3-magnet ... tive-cover
Explorer 20 mast https://www.gigaparts.com/explorer-pota ... -mast.html
25 ft RG316 coax
36 ft 18 ga wire for EF random
(2) winders
(4) aluminum tent stakes
home-made "anti kickout" support
home-made guyline ring & collar
(2) zip earbud cases
KX3 to Powerpole cable
Notes:
1. Balun Designs standard RF connectors are SO-239 but a BNC connector is available for small additional charge. The 9130 has a hole for a support line, so I attached approx 10 ft of paracord to lift it above ground level.
2. Guyline collar attached to Explorer 20 mast at section "overlap" region with epoxy. Guyline ring has 3 paracord lines and is rigged before extending mast. Guyline collar keeps guyline ring from moving down mast. A PVC end cap with a stainless machine screw serves as an "anti kickout" support for the mast base. Each guyline has a line tightener.
3. Shure SE112 earbuds have a rt-angle 3.5mm connector.
4. M0JKS mini-mike has a TRRS connector on the mike, so the user can supply whatever length/connector style he prefers. 3.5mm audio cables are available with a straight TRRS on one end and a rt-angle TRRS on the other (to comply with Elecraft recommendations to reduce lateral force on the connectors.)
5. Bioenno has changed the BLF-1203AB "shape" from rectangular to rounded edge, but the dimensions remain the same.
The total weight (with the mast and EF Random antenna) is a few ounces over 7 lbx, so this isn't a Mountaintopper.
73, Dean
KG7WGX
I wanted the radio, battery, earbuds, paddles and a mini-mike to fit in the waterproof box. Whatever antenna I decided to take could be in a stuff bag, packed separately. This would also apply to a kneeboard & chair (if I wasn't going very far.)
The first picture shows the antenna bag, 20ft mast and the Pelican box
- KX3 field kit 1 sm.jpg (125.67 KiB) Viewed 1031 times
- KX3 field kit 2 sm.jpg (158.42 KiB) Viewed 1031 times
- KX3 field kit 3 sm.jpg (182.6 KiB) Viewed 1031 times
Shure SE112 earbuds https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE112-GR-I ... B00EWOK09G
Pelican 1150 case https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1150-Cam ... B000N9PQEI
Elecraft KXPD3 paddles https://elecraft.com/collections/keyer- ... key-paddle
M0JKS mini-mike https://www.etsy.com/listing/1608688419 ... ft-kx2-kx3
Bioenno BLF-1203AB battery https://www.bioennopower.com/products/1 ... attery-pvc
Balun Designs 9:1 Unun https://www.balundesigns.com/model-9130 ... 300-watts/
Tufteln choke https://tufteln.com/products/hf-rf-choke-rg316-bnc-cmc
Tufteln KX3 cover https://tufteln.com/products/kx3-magnet ... tive-cover
Explorer 20 mast https://www.gigaparts.com/explorer-pota ... -mast.html
25 ft RG316 coax
36 ft 18 ga wire for EF random
(2) winders
(4) aluminum tent stakes
home-made "anti kickout" support
home-made guyline ring & collar
(2) zip earbud cases
KX3 to Powerpole cable
Notes:
1. Balun Designs standard RF connectors are SO-239 but a BNC connector is available for small additional charge. The 9130 has a hole for a support line, so I attached approx 10 ft of paracord to lift it above ground level.
2. Guyline collar attached to Explorer 20 mast at section "overlap" region with epoxy. Guyline ring has 3 paracord lines and is rigged before extending mast. Guyline collar keeps guyline ring from moving down mast. A PVC end cap with a stainless machine screw serves as an "anti kickout" support for the mast base. Each guyline has a line tightener.
3. Shure SE112 earbuds have a rt-angle 3.5mm connector.
4. M0JKS mini-mike has a TRRS connector on the mike, so the user can supply whatever length/connector style he prefers. 3.5mm audio cables are available with a straight TRRS on one end and a rt-angle TRRS on the other (to comply with Elecraft recommendations to reduce lateral force on the connectors.)
5. Bioenno has changed the BLF-1203AB "shape" from rectangular to rounded edge, but the dimensions remain the same.
The total weight (with the mast and EF Random antenna) is a few ounces over 7 lbx, so this isn't a Mountaintopper.
73, Dean
KG7WGX