Working Devices

KNOWN TO BE WORKING

The KX3 Companion needs a USB Serial connection to use the Elecraft KX3 USB cable. This is accomplished thanks to something called “USB Hosting”. So all devices that support USB Hosting (Android 4.1+) should in theory work. Different device manufacturers release devices with custom Adnroid versions that may or may not support USB hosting. Also, in case of carrier branded devices, they also may disable this feature.

The following list is based on feedback from users and personal experience. Please help me completing the list with your personal experience and configuration by emailing me directly at “kx3companion AT gmail.com” or leaving a comment below. Thanks!

The list is based on “un-rooted” and “un-hacked” devices. So it should work ‘out of the box’:

TABLETs:

Google Nexus 7 2013
Google Nexus 7 2012
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (espressowifi)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (lt02wifi)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 (santos10wifi)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 (GT-N8013)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Wifi
Samsung Galaxy Note II (t03g)
Azpen A700 7″
ASUS MeMO Pad 7 (ME176CX)
Azpen A1023

SMARTPHONEs:

Google Nexus 5 (hammerhead)
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100)
Samsung Galaxy S3 (m0)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (jflte)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (jfltevzw)
Samsung Galaxy S5 (kltevzw)
Motorola Moto G
Motorola Droid Maxx
Motorola Droid 4
Sony Xperia Pro
OnePlus One

KNOWN NOT TO BE WORKING

These devices currently do not suppor USB Hosting.

Some devices are locked even if they technically can do USB Hosting. An example of this is all the Amazon Kindle tablets and some Sprint US carrier branded devices.

Sometimes it’s a matter of versions like for the Asus Memo Pad 7. Previous version ME173X doesn’t work, the latest version ME176CX works.

If you have a carrier branded device and the KX3 Companion FREE version doesn’t work, please ask to your carrier if they locked the USB Hosting. In some other cases it the OTG cable that is at fault.

The following is a list of known devices that have USB Hosting disabled:

All Kindle Fire
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (Model SM-T2100R)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.9
Asus Memo Pad 7 (ME173X)
HP Slate 7 (model 2800)
Some Sprint US branded devices

Again, please help me keeping this list updated with all the know to be working/not working devices based on your personal experience. And try to contact your manufacturer or carrier and ask if they will unlock USB hosting for you or in future versions. Asking never hurts.Thanks!

72/73, Andrea IU4APC

47 thoughts on “Working Devices”

KF9EZ
20 Jul 2014
23:36

Works good on my 2012 Nexus 7. I just ordered a 2 and gen Nexus 7 and will advise in a week or so.

Reply
- Andrea
  20 Jul 2014
  23:48
  
  I personally use a Nexus 7 2013 and works great.
  So you won’t have problems with it 😉
  Thanks Bill.
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Rob
20 Jul 2014
23:43

I have the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (GT-N8013) and it works.

Reply
- Andrea
  20 Jul 2014
  23:49
  
  Hi Rob,
  Thanks a lot!
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
John
20 Jul 2014
23:57

Don’t forget teh Nook HD+ (and presumeabley HD) ->Android rooted tablet as per instructions. Pretty sure another fellow got his HD+ working too.

Reply
- Andrea
  21 Jul 2014
  0:00
  
  Ciao John,
  you’re right but this is a list of working “lout of the box” devices, without any rooting/hacking.
  I’ll probably do an addendum with devices that can work with some modify and there’ll be the Nook HD+
  I’m curious… how does it work with the audio spectrum/waterfall. Can you send me some screenshot? Thanks!
  73/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
  - John
    21 Jul 2014
    14:41
    
    Hi Andrea,
    OK, Understood…. out of the box.
    
    Actually the waterfall looks and works great and responds to the bandwidth parameters correctly. I have been using it also for just generic audio spectrum stuff that does not involve the radio.
    
    I’ll see about sending you some update pix that you can put on your Nook page.
    
    Best 73 KB0NE
  - Andrea
    21 Jul 2014
    15:59
    
    Thanks a lot John.
    I’m curious to see how it looks 🙂
    73, Andrea IU4APC
peter
21 Jul 2014
0:10

“SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1 edition 2014 WIFI” working fine!
OTG-Cable is poor (bad shielding 😉

Reply
- Andrea
  21 Jul 2014
  0:26
  
  Thanks Peter.
  Page updated 😉
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Ken Kaplan
21 Jul 2014
1:36

Hi Andrea. Works fine on my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (1st version of the Samsung tablet)

Reply
- Andrea
  21 Jul 2014
  8:46
  
  Thanks Ken.
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
tapeape
21 Jul 2014
16:20

Nexus7 2012 OTG works, does not support simultaneous charging w OTG ‘Y’ cable

Nexus4 Companion works – no OTG – have Piglet

nVidia Shield OTG works w simultaneous charging using OTG ‘Y’ cable necessary for long field day

Reply
- Andrea
  21 Jul 2014
  16:31
  
  Great info.
  Particularly on the nVidia Shield and OTG Y cable.
  Thanks a lot!
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
tapeape
21 Jul 2014
16:24

nVidia shield works great with OTG ‘Y’ cable so can charge at same time. Great for Field Day! VA3CME

Reply
Bob VE3MPG
23 Jul 2014
17:18

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone works fb Andrea. Great program 73 es thanks. Bob VE3MPG

Reply
- Andrea
  23 Jul 2014
  17:31
  
  Thanks a lot!
  Added the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to the list of working phones 😉
  Enjoy the app.
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Neil Zampella/KB3TVU
24 Jul 2014
23:28

There may be a way to use this on a Kindle. There’s a new cable that will allow you to plug in a power supply, as well as allow you to plug in a USB connection to the KX3 and the Kindle. Its also available for other tablets that don’t have or don’t supply enough power thru the mini-USB connector.
I’ve got it on order, should arrive in a few days. I’ll do a side-along install from my Android phone, and see what happens.

Reply
- Andrea
  24 Jul 2014
  23:41
  
  I don’t think that the problem with Kindle Fire depends on the power but they are software locked. To make it work you should unlock (root) it. Unfortunately that voids the warrantee.
  
  In any case, let me know.
  
  Thanks,
  Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
blog1951
24 Jul 2014
23:31

There may be a way to get this working on a Kindle Fire HD. There is a new cable available for Kindle and other devices that do not have, or do not provide enough power to supply the KX3 interface cable. It allows you to connect a tablet charger, along with the cable to the mini-USB on the tablet.
I’ve got it on order, and will try a side along install when it arrives to see if it will work.
73s, Neil KB3TVU

Reply
Michael
15 Aug 2014
11:04

The HP Slate 7 (model 2800) does not support the OTG USB-host mode .. bad luck. So I got stuck to my MotoG to enjoy KX3Companion.
Michael DL3DCM

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  15 Aug 2014
  11:32
  
  Too bad… but I have the MotoG as well and I can say that it works pretty well on it as the resolution and speed of the MotoG is quite good.
  
  Thanks for reporting. I’ll add to the list.
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Neil Zampella
20 Aug 2014
6:47

You can add the Azpen A1023 to the list of working tablets. FWIW … I tried a few ‘so-called’ OTG cables, but none seemed to work. Ordered an Inateck USB2.0 4 Port OTG Hub from Amazon.com, and bam, KX3 was able to connect to the KX3 Companion. Now to get sound working, which may require an external USB soundcard.

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  20 Aug 2014
  9:28
  
  Good thanks!
  USB Cards don’t work actually.
  Try to find out if there’s a mic hidden in the audio out jack.
  Read here for more information:
  
  Mic & Headset Splitter for Smartphones and Tablets
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Björn Eriksson
14 Nov 2014
15:09

Seems to work on a Samsung Tab S 8.4, can control the KX3 (directly or via the PX3) not yet had a chance to make a QSO though. Will try this weekend.

Björn SA0CEO

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  14 Nov 2014
  15:16
  
  Thanks a lot Björn!
  
  I’ll add to the list of working devices then 😉
  
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Anatoly
27 Dec 2014
20:40

Hi Andrea!
KX3 Companion does not work with Samsung Galaxy Tab S model SM-T805 Android 4.4.2
The programm KX3 MATE works OK!
73! Anatoly /UA3DCI/

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  27 Dec 2014
  20:52
  
  Did you try the free or full version? Did you have the other software running on background while trying? Did you set the KX3 baudrate at the same value as the app?
  If the serial is not the problem than it should work. Probably you’re doing something wrong or missing a step.
  Let mW know.
  72/73 Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
  - Anatoly
    27 Dec 2014
    22:07
    
    Thanks a lot. All is OK!
    I tried the free version.
    I think the problem was in background.
    Next step:Full version
    
    Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year
    73! Anatoly /UA3DCI/
  - Andrea IU4APC
    28 Dec 2014
    12:25
    
    Thanks a lot to you for the feedback.
    Enjoy the full version 😉
    72/73 Andrea IU4APC
Larry ........ K5BMS
14 Jan 2015
2:21

Tried old original Motorola Xoom. Turned USB debugging on. Works great!
Had old Acer 500 Android 3.2.1 no OTG.. plug kx3 directly into full size usb on Acer.
Both these tablets can be found for little investment.

Use Samsung S3….. 3×5 inch display phone. Plug OTG in and go.

Larry. K5BMS
Sun City West, Arizona

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  14 Jan 2015
  7:27
  
  Hi Larry,
  that’s great news!
  Thanks a lot.
  72/73 Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Don Poquette
21 Jan 2015
15:50

I used eMachine M270 Netbook PC using Android 4.4.2. Worked great. Just remember to uninstall the Free Version when purchasing the Full Version, then restart the software.

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  21 Jan 2015
  15:51
  
  That’s an interesting setup Don.
  Thanks for reporting that it works well 😉
  72/73 Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Luigi IV3XNF
30 Apr 2015
12:30

Ciao Andrea. Works fine on my ASUS Transformer PAD (tf103cg) 10.1, but sometimes crashes. I use Micro USB OTG Cable by Mediacom 6 Euro 😉

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  1 May 2015
  15:52
  
  Ciao Luigi,
  try increasing the polling time 😉
  This should avoid crashes.
  Thanks for reporting about the ASUS Transformer PAD!
  72/73 Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Trung Nguyen
3 Jun 2015
4:07

Hi Andrea,
Your app works fine on my OnePlus One smartphone.
73, Trung W6TN

Reply
Manfred
9 Oct 2015
17:14

Hi Andrea,
works great sich the Lenovo Yoga 2 Tablet.
Excellent software

73 de Manfred DL2MFE

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  9 Oct 2015
  18:21
  
  Hi Manfred,
  thanks a lot and thanks for reporting the compatibility.
  Enjoy using it 😉
  72/73 Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
Mike Ballantyne, kc5mnp
22 Dec 2015
23:30

Just checked connection with a asus zenpad 170c , connection to kx3 displays, but no evidence that it is connected. No frequency is displayed. Cord works fine on cell phones ( two, both are samsung)

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  23 Dec 2015
  11:52
  
  Hi Mike,
  please make sure that the baudrate is the same between the KX3 and the app. The default (and suggested) value is 38400.
  72/73, Andrea IU4APC
  
  Reply
phil moorey
19 May 2016
18:53

Screen fit for Nexus 7 tablet doesn’t fit any longer
Top half of line cut off. Used to work
Need help
Reloaded the app
Also is there a difference between the Amazon version and the free one?

Reply
Marc Hutchins
19 Dec 2016
1:24

Anyone have success with this tablet ?

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 7.0″

Reply
Brandon
18 Jul 2018
22:51

I have a Samsung Tab E 8″. Android 7.1.1 AT&T. The app works well until I clear the text from the screen. It will let me clear the screen about two times before it locks up and is unresponsive. I have to restart the tablet to get the app to work again. While the app works its increadable.

Reply
Verna Lilly
12 Mar 2019
4:54

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

Would my new KX3 work with it?

Reply
- Andrea IU4APC
  12 Mar 2019
  9:43
  
  It should but I can’t tell you. Try installing the free demo version and test it.
  Andrea
  
  Reply
  - Verna Lilly
    12 Mar 2019
    14:05
    
    Thanks : )