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Reviews For: Krait Technologies KT-003 NCDXF Beacon Monitor Clock

Category: Ham Shack Clocks

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Review Summary For : Krait Technologies KT-003 NCDXF Beacon Monitor Clock
Reviews: 1MSRP: Kit: EUR 55, case EUR 8
Description:
This device shows what NXDCF beacon is active at what time.. It is similar to the MFJ-890, however the KT-003 uses GPS for time synchonisation. It is available as a kit (thru-hole components only) or as pre-built device
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.krait.fc.pl/ (scroll down)
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1515
PE1HZG Rating: 2024-11-02
A nice show-and-tell in your shack Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Krait KT-003 is a NCDXF beacon monitor clock. there are 18 NCDXF beacons that each transmit for 10 seconds in a 180-seconds cycle in a staggered way: first beacon A, then beacon B, etc.
A beacon monitor clock displays what beacon is active at what time. You tune to the beacon frequency (need a receiver for this!), listen, and watch on the beacon clock to see what beacon is active and in 3 minutes you know what the propagation is to different parts of the world.

I bought it as show-and-tell and conversation starter when explaining amateur radio.

The KT-003 is available pre-built and as a kit. I built the kit, which was a breeze thanks to good instructions and through-hole parts.
The biggest challenge is to make sure that all 24 LEDs are the right way in, and are fully straight. In addition to the assembly manual, I put all the LEDs in, then mounted the front panel to make sure all LEDs were straight and same height, then soldered the LEDs. The build instructions will be enhanced with this, I've been told.
The rest of the construction was trivial, no challenges there. And pre-built units also exist.

The KT-003 is not unsimilar to the MFJ-890, the latter is no longer available with MFJ being defunct. A big difference is that the MFJ-890 used VLF time transmitters (WWVB, MSF) which may need a good place in the house for reception and where synchronization usually is difficult; the KT-003 uses a GPS receiver module and location is much less critical.
Also, the GPS module has a time reference on it's own so while the MFJ needs a complete sync-up after power has been removed, the KT-003 "remembers" and may instantly or quickly synchronize unless the unit has been down for a longer time or the unit has been moved location. Still, is quick synchronization is not possible, in my shack, after days of downtime I have sync in 5 minutes or so, any time of day.

Speaking of the MFJ-890, the KT003 is physically smaller but the beacon locations is still quite clear. The one single pushbutton allows selection of the 5 NCDXF beacon frequencies where the MFJ uses a turn knob for this. The KT-003 does not have a "manual synchonisation" feature but I find it doesn't need it.

Both the MFJ-890 and the KT-003 allow for battery operation but neither is well-suited for it. The MFJ uses a 9V block battery but doesn't really conserve energy; the KT-003 has an optional 3-cell AAA holder (PCB is prepared for it but the battery holder isn't included), however the GPS receiver (always on) draws 70mA and hence the batteries will be flat in a day. It may still serve as a conversation starter on field day or similar, which is why I've installed the battery holder anyway.

There is an optional case for the KT-003 which consists of some strips of balsa wood that can be glued together. I've painted mine back before gluing and I am happy with the result.
Note that due to light balsa wood and the KT-003 being smaller, it is also considerably lighter than the MFJ.

Communication with Krzysztof has been excellent. I cannot say "support has been excellent" because I didn't need any support!

The '890 has been on my wish list for a while. If it has been on yours, then I would suggest giving the KT-003 a ponder instead.