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HFpack and the KX-Line

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wayne burdick

HFpack and the KX-Line

Administrator

Hi all,

HFpack is a form of pedestrian mobile (/PM) operation where the radio is secured to your body or installed in a pack in such a way that it can be used when needed without any setup. There's a dedicated Yahoo group for those interested in this ("hfpack"). This is a great source of information. HFpack operators have their own operating events, special frequencies, etc.

The small size of the KX2 should make it ideal for HFpack operation. An op who currently use FT-817 mentioned this when we were at Dayton. The KX2 is half the weight and has twice the power output, meaning more of his weight budget could be dedicated to batteries, antennas, etc.

The KX3 is another frequent choice for HFpackers, thanks to its expanded band coverage. 6 meters works great with small antennas, and the 2-meter option also comes in handy.

As a frequent hiker, I often use the KX2 hand-held. But I'm interested in exploring the possibilities of pack- or belt-mounting the rig. I can also imagine a rapid-deployment whip antenna attached to the pack frame. It could be a telescoping whip such as an MFJ1820, or maybe a wire spool with a weight for tossing it into a tree.

In the half-crazy-but-who-cares department: how about putting a small tuned loop *inside* a backpack? On a band like 17 meters, which is great for HFpack during the day, a small loop would be reasonably efficient, and could cover most of the SSB portion of the band without retuning.

In an month or so, Scott (AK6Q) will have a light-weight, snap-in mobile mount bracket for the KX2. This should be useful for some potential HFpack installations. Beats velcro :)

Anyone working on an HFpack installation?

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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SteveL

Re: [KX3] HFpack and the KX-Line

Wayne & All,
High on my “convenience” list, is the ability to see/use the controls of whatever radio is selected for HFpack /PM operation while one walks. As a result, this is one reason I have shunned the various military radios (weight being another major factor) and use an IC-703 with the face plate remote mounted on the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps high on the front chest (with radio in the backpack).

For the KX2, I envision some sort of zipper pouch, complete with exits for the various cables, that could be suspended from the chest strap. With the zipper open, the KX2 controls are available, yet the radio is secure in the pouch. Whatever antenna is chosen can be mounted to your selected pack frame in back with light weight coax running up a shoulder strap to your back pack and antenna mounting point.

Get with your KX2 pouch vendors - this should be easy to design! (Reference: Icom LC-156 pouch for 706 or 703 face plate - only better!)

Steve
aa8af

> On Jun 3, 2016, at 11:48 AM, Wayne Burdick [hidden email] [KX3] <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> HFpack is a form of pedestrian mobile (/PM) operation where the radio is secured to your body or installed in a pack in such a way that it can be used when needed without any setup. There's a dedicated Yahoo group for those interested in this ("hfpack"). This is a great source of information. HFpack operators have their own operating events, special frequencies, etc.
>
> The small size of the KX2 should make it ideal for HFpack operation. An op who currently use FT-817 mentioned this when we were at Dayton. The KX2 is half the weight and has twice the power output, meaning more of his weight budget could be dedicated to batteries, antennas, etc.
>
> The KX3 is another frequent choice for HFpackers, thanks to its expanded band coverage. 6 meters works great with small antennas, and the 2-meter option also comes in handy.
>
> As a frequent hiker, I often use the KX2 hand-held. But I'm interested in exploring the possibilities of pack- or belt-mounting the rig. I can also imagine a rapid-deployment whip antenna attached to the pack frame. It could be a telescoping whip such as an MFJ1820, or maybe a wire spool with a weight for tossing it into a tree.
>
> In the half-crazy-but-who-cares department: how about putting a small tuned loop *inside* a backpack? On a band like 17 meters, which is great for HFpack during the day, a small loop would be reasonably efficient, and could cover most of the SSB portion of the band without retuning.
>
> In an month or so, Scott (AK6Q) will have a light-weight, snap-in mobile mount bracket for the KX2. This should be useful for some potential HFpack installations. Beats velcro :)
>
> Anyone working on an HFpack installation?
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>

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Peter Pauly

Re: [KX3] HFpack and the KX-Line

http://www.airsoftgi.com/mobile/images/warriorrigtanI.jpg

On Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 7:47 PM, Walter Underwood <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I haven’t tried it, but this radio harness seems like it could work to
> carry a KX2 or KX3 with the knobs up and accessible.
>
>
> http://www.truenorthgear.com/catalog/products/accessories/dozer-chest-harness
> <
> http://www.truenorthgear.com/catalog/products/accessories/dozer-chest-harness
> >
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
> > On Jun 3, 2016, at 4:39 PM, Steve [hidden email] [KX3] <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Wayne & All,
> >
> > High on my “convenience” list, is the ability to see/use the controls of
> whatever radio is selected for HFpack /PM operation while one walks. As a
> result, this is one reason I have shunned the various military radios
> (weight being another major factor) and use an IC-703 with the face plate
> remote mounted on the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps high on
> the front chest (with radio in the backpack).
> >
> > For the KX2, I envision some sort of zipper pouch, complete with exits
> for the various cables, that could be suspended from the chest strap. With
> the zipper open, the KX2 controls are available, yet the radio is secure in
> the pouch. Whatever antenna is chosen can be mounted to your selected pack
> frame in back with light weight coax running up a shoulder strap to your
> back pack and antenna mounting point.
> >
> > Get with your KX2 pouch vendors - this should be easy to design!
> (Reference: Icom LC-156 pouch for 706 or 703 face plate - only better!)
> >
> > Steve
> > aa8af
> >
> >
> >> On Jun 3, 2016, at 11:48 AM, Wayne Burdick [hidden email] <mailto:
> [hidden email]> [KX3] <[hidden email] <mailto:
> [hidden email]>> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> HFpack is a form of pedestrian mobile (/PM) operation where the radio
> is secured to your body or installed in a pack in such a way that it can be
> used when needed without any setup. There's a dedicated Yahoo group for
> those interested in this ("hfpack"). This is a great source of information.
> HFpack operators have their own operating events, special frequencies, etc.
> >>
> >> The small size of the KX2 should make it ideal for HFpack operation. An
> op who currently use FT-817 mentioned this when we were at Dayton. The KX2
> is half the weight and has twice the power output, meaning more of his
> weight budget could be dedicated to batteries, antennas, etc.
> >>
> >> The KX3 is another frequent choice for HFpackers, thanks to its
> expanded band coverage. 6 meters works great with small antennas, and the
> 2-meter option also comes in handy.
> >>
> >> As a frequent hiker, I often use the KX2 hand-held. But I'm interested
> in exploring the possibilities of pack- or belt-mounting the rig. I can
> also imagine a rapid-deployment whip antenna attached to the pack frame. It
> could be a telescoping whip such as an MFJ1820, or maybe a wire spool with
> a weight for tossing it into a tree.
> >>
> >> In the half-crazy-but-who-cares department: how about putting a small
> tuned loop *inside* a backpack? On a band like 17 meters, which is great
> for HFpack during the day, a small loop would be reasonably efficient, and
> could cover most of the SSB portion of the band without retuning.
> >>
> >> In an month or so, Scott (AK6Q) will have a light-weight, snap-in
> mobile mount bracket for the KX2. This should be useful for some potential
> HFpack installations. Beats velcro :)
> >>
> >> Anyone working on an HFpack installation?
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Wayne
> >> N6KR
> >>
> >
> >
> > __._,_.___
> > Posted by: Steve <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> > Reply via web post <
> https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/KX3/conversations/messages/58307;_ylc=X3oDMTJyOXJxZW1zBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARtc2dJZAM1ODMwNwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNycGx5BHN0aW1lAzE0NjQ5OTcxNTQ-?act=reply&messageNum=58307>
> • Reply to sender <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BKX3%5D%20HFpack%20and%20the%20KX-Line>
> • Reply to group <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BKX3%5D%20HFpack%20and%20the%20KX-Line>
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> (2)
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> 52
> > <
> https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlamhyMGNqBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTQ2NDk5NzE1Ng-->•
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> > .
> >
> >
> > __,_._,___
>
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>

wayne burdick

Re: [KX3] HFpack and the KX-Line

Administrator

In reply to this post by SteveL

Cool, but I'm hoping to find a much more compact setup than this. Something like a "side pack" that you can open up when needed.

The MH3 mic has up/down buttons, which may be all you need in SSB mode, once the band/mode/volume are all set up and the antenna matched over the full segment of interest (using the ATU if applicable).

Wayne

On Jun 3, 2016, at 4:47 PM, Walter Underwood <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I haven’t tried it, but this radio harness seems like it could work to carry a KX2 or KX3 with the knobs up and accessible.
>
> http://www.truenorthgear.com/catalog/products/accessories/dozer-chest-harness <http://www.truenorthgear.com/catalog/products/accessories/dozer-chest-harness>
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
>> On Jun 3, 2016, at 4:39 PM, Steve [hidden email] [KX3] <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Wayne & All,
>>
>> High on my “convenience” list, is the ability to see/use the controls of whatever radio is selected for HFpack /PM operation while one walks. As a result, this is one reason I have shunned the various military radios (weight being another major factor) and use an IC-703 with the face plate remote mounted on the chest strap connecting the shoulder straps high on the front chest (with radio in the backpack).
>>
>> For the KX2, I envision some sort of zipper pouch, complete with exits for the various cables, that could be suspended from the chest strap. With the zipper open, the KX2 controls are available, yet the radio is secure in the pouch. Whatever antenna is chosen can be mounted to your selected pack frame in back with light weight coax running up a shoulder strap to your back pack and antenna mounting point.
>>
>> Get with your KX2 pouch vendors - this should be easy to design! (Reference: Icom LC-156 pouch for 706 or 703 face plate - only better!)
>>
>> Steve
>> aa8af
>>
>>
>>> On Jun 3, 2016, at 11:48 AM, Wayne Burdick [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> [KX3] <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> HFpack is a form of pedestrian mobile (/PM) operation where the radio is secured to your body or installed in a pack in such a way that it can be used when needed without any setup. There's a dedicated Yahoo group for those interested in this ("hfpack"). This is a great source of information. HFpack operators have their own operating events, special frequencies, etc.
>>>
>>> The small size of the KX2 should make it ideal for HFpack operation. An op who currently use FT-817 mentioned this when we were at Dayton. The KX2 is half the weight and has twice the power output, meaning more of his weight budget could be dedicated to batteries, antennas, etc.
>>>
>>> The KX3 is another frequent choice for HFpackers, thanks to its expanded band coverage. 6 meters works great with small antennas, and the 2-meter option also comes in handy.
>>>
>>> As a frequent hiker, I often use the KX2 hand-held. But I'm interested in exploring the possibilities of pack- or belt-mounting the rig. I can also imagine a rapid-deployment whip antenna attached to the pack frame. It could be a telescoping whip such as an MFJ1820, or maybe a wire spool with a weight for tossing it into a tree.
>>>
>>> In the half-crazy-but-who-cares department: how about putting a small tuned loop *inside* a backpack? On a band like 17 meters, which is great for HFpack during the day, a small loop would be reasonably efficient, and could cover most of the SSB portion of the band without retuning.
>>>
>>> In an month or so, Scott (AK6Q) will have a light-weight, snap-in mobile mount bracket for the KX2. This should be useful for some potential HFpack installations. Beats velcro :)
>>>
>>> Anyone working on an HFpack installation?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Wayne
>>> N6KR
>>>
>>
>>
>> __._,_.___
>> Posted by: Steve <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
>> Reply via web post <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/KX3/conversations/messages/58307;_ylc=X3oDMTJyOXJxZW1zBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARtc2dJZAM1ODMwNwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNycGx5BHN0aW1lAzE0NjQ5OTcxNTQ-?act=reply&messageNum=58307> • Reply to sender <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BKX3%5D%20HFpack%20and%20the%20KX-Line> • Reply to group <mailto:[hidden email]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BKX3%5D%20HFpack%20and%20the%20KX-Line> • Start a New Topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/KX3/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=X3oDMTJmNGk5dGNoBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzE0NjQ5OTcxNTQ-> • Messages in this topic <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/KX3/conversations/topics/58288;_ylc=X3oDMTM3OGt0dGJhBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzc0NTIwOTQ3BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MzEwOARtc2dJZAM1ODMwNwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawN2dHBjBHN0aW1lAzE0NjQ5OTcxNTQEdHBjSWQDNTgyODg-> (2)
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>
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