Specifications

14
Transmit Settings
The TX control group is used to set up the KX3’s
transmitter. The TX LED turns on during transmit.
Caution: This is only an overview of TX
settings. Follow the detailed transmit setup
instructions in later sections for each mode.
Keyer Speed/Mic Gain and Power Output
In CW mode, KEYER/MIC sets the keyer speed
(in WPM). In voice modes, it sets mic gain.
A hold of this knob selects PWR (power out).
Power in watts is shown on the RF bar graph.
Power output is typically 10 W+ on 160-15 m, and
8 W+ on 12-6 m. The 6-m setting is independent.
Maximum available power output varies. If
power is lower than expected, use the special VFO
B displays (pg. 11) to check supply voltage, current
drain, and PA temperature. The selected parameter
will be shown on VFO B during TUNE (SWR is
shown on VFO A). A reduced-current TX mode is
automatically used when possible. This is indicated
by a decimal point after the “W” (e.g. 3.0 W.).
Other Transmit Settings
Hold MON to set the transmit monitor volume
(speech in voice modes, sidetone in CW mode).
CMP sets the amount of speech compression,
which increases average power output, making your
voice sound louder. Adjust compression using the
knob above the switch; to finish, tap CMP again.
PITCH is used to set the sidetone pitch in CW
mode, and the tone-encode pitch in FM mode (pg.
15). It displays the mark or center pitch and data
shift in some data modes.
DLY sets the VOX (voice-operated transmit) delay
time in voice modes (pg. 15). In CW mode, DLY
sets the break-in or QSK delay (pg. 16).
VOX selects the keying mode: PTT (push-to-talk)
or VOX (voice- or keying-operated transmit). With
PTT selected, the transmitter is enabled by tapping
X MIT or by holding the mic’s PTT button. With
VOX selected, the VOX icon turns on, and transmit
starts by speaking (voice modes) or when keyed
(CW mode). Also see DLY (at left) and
MENU:VOX GN (p. 35).
Transmit and ATU Control
The switches in the group shown below perform
various transmit control functions.
MSG and REC play/record messages (pg. 16, 21).
ATU TUNE starts automatic antenna matching if a
KXAT3 internal ATU is installed (pg. 25). The
ATU MD menu entry must be set to AUTO mode.
Matching takes an average of 4 seconds, initially.
Settings are then recalled instantly on band change,
as well as when you transmit after moving the VFO
a significant distance. The ATU icon will flash
briefly whenever new L-C network settings are
recalled. In CW mode, recall of settings is delayed
until a brief pause in keying (about 0.5 seconds).
With difficult loads, tap ATU TUNE a second
time within 5 seconds to search for a lower SWR.
ANT controls ANT1/2 selection on the KXAT100
external ATU. ANT does not switch between
antenna jacks on the KX3 itself. The BNC jack is
always used on the 160-6 m bands, and the SMA
jack is used only with the KX3’s 2-meter module.
XMIT is equivalent to PTT (push-to-talk). Tapping
this switch places the KX3 into transmit mode.
TUNE is used to put out a CW signal at the power
level selected by the PWR control. This is useful
with external wattmeters and antenna tuners. If the
TUN PWR menu entry is set to a numeric value,
rather than NOR, then this value—if lower—
overrides the power control setting.