Often when you get a new or new to you radio, you have to make it yours. Configuring or modifying it to your preference. So it went with my new to me KX3. I didn't have to do much really. I made a power cable for it and bought a Tufteln 3D printed cover for the face. From Elecraft I installed their enhanced heatsink and added the roofing filter.
Here is a picture of the Elecraft Enhanced Heatsink. It is thicker than the original and wraps around the back of the radio. I like this version because it doesn't overly increase the size of the radio like some finned versions do.
Elecraft provided clear instructions for installing and in the case of the filter, calibrating it to the radio. Total time to install was about an hour. Fortunately for me, the radio came with the built-in Antenna Tuner. All I had to do with it was secure it to the radio.
The Tufteln cover is held on to the radio via magnets. You have to replace the screws holding the clear screen cover to the radio with hexhead bolts. The bolt heads fit into the Tufteln cover to prevent the cover from sliding on the radio. It also keeps the radio getting too large.
The final addition was a Begali adapter to mount the Begali Adventure Paddle to the radio.
For a tiny paddle the action is marvelous.
After putting the radio back together, I gave it a test drive. Setting the power to 5 watts, I was able to work Ontario Province Canada, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, and Virginia. All with janky band conditions. All the contacts were CW which is one of my preferred modes.
I am pleased with the KX3. It is easy to use and the receiver is top notch. I am looking forward to my next outing with it.
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