K1 or KX1? Backpacking Analysis -- comment

[crmabbott]

I can only say that 80 percent of my contacts are on 20 or 40.  So the number of bands covered by K1 or KX1 would not be an issue.  The rig I use as all the bands available but I have favorites and I am sure it would be similar with the hikers too??

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 _______/ Chuck   \_________
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> >... the KX1 wins handsdown for backpacking...
>
> > Strange!  Before the KX1 came out, the K1 was generally
> > acknowledged as the best multi-band backpacking rig
> > available.  It is no less suitable for that task today.
>
> I think you misunderstand.  Let me look at your comments
> one at a time.
>
>     "If one is happy with the limited number of bands
>     covered by the KX1"
>
> The KX1 covers 20, 30 and 40 meters.  When one is talking
> about backpacking, they are spending a majority of their
> time hiking. Generally, and this will vary by person, a
> backpacker will hike during the day and set up camp during
> the late afternoon or early evening. I don't think that
> having the full spectrum of bands is going to add
> significantly to the hikers (aka ham's) enjoyment of his
> evening's operating, While it would certainly be nice to
> have a rig that was equipped with 10 through 80, I would
> suppose that only 1 or 2 bands would actually be used
> before it's time to hit the sack.
>
>     "and recognizes that there is absolutely **no**
> physical
>     way that KX1 receiver RF performance can match that of
> a
>     properly constructed  K1 in any area other than VFO
>     stability,"
>
> There are others here on this list that would say the
> difference is very minimal. Since I don't own a K1, I
> can't comment.
>
>     "and that the ATU in the KX1 can't come close to the
>     matching range of the K1's KAT1"
>
> Again, remember that the hiker is backpacking, and as such
> is carrying a small radio and minimal antenna.  If I were
> to hike today, I would take the KX1 with 25' of antenna
> wire and 16' of counterpoise wire.  Since the wire used
> would be very small, it would be light and compact. The
> KX1 easily matches that wire, once strung in a tree, to a
> perfect 1:1 on all 3 of its bands, which is all that is
> needed.  While it IS true the K1's ATU may be better at
> matching systems under more difficult situations, that
> capability is not needed when out doors with a 25' of
> wire.
>
>     "On the other hand, if RF performance *on the ham CW
>     bands* is important, the K1 stands as the best of the
>     two."
>
> I'm not sure how you justify that statement, but oh well.
>
>     "I don't care that I can't use it for shortwave
>     broadcasts or to copy the ham phone bands.  I've got a
>     Sony portable that'll do that quite adequately, with
>     essential AM/FM coverage to boot."
>
> Are you needing to carry that too?  That is an additional
> weight and more hardware to pack that is not required with
> the KX1.
>
> Specs that are important to me:
>
> The KX1 is 1.4 x 5.8 x 3.0" and weighs 9 oz (excluding
> options)
> It has a current drain of 32 mA on receive and 300-700 mA
> on transmit.
>
> The K1 is 2.4 x 5.2 x 7.1" and weighs 1.4 lbs (excluding
> options)
> It has a current drain of 55 mA on receive and 700-900 mA
> on transmit.
>
> The KX1 runs on 6 "AA" batteries, and will output 1.5 to
> 2.0 watts.
> The K1 runs on 8 "AA" batteries (with optional KBT1
> installed) and will output 5 watts.
>
> The KX1 comes with a small keyer that attaches directly to
> the side of the KX1.
> The K1 requires a separate keyer.
>
> Don't get me wrong. I am not trying to tell you that the
> K1 is in anyway a lesser radio than the KX1. In fact, I
> own a KX1 and I am seriously considering purchasing a K1.
> There ARE some situations where the K1 just would be a
> better "fit" than the KX1.
>
> What I am talking about here is the practicality taking a
> ham radio hiking into the mountains. If I could carry it
> and the necessary hardware, I would love to hike into the
> woods with a K2 and a nice Buddipole. But being practical,
> I see the sense in having the KX1 as my radio of choice
> for backpacking, and thus the original statement...
>
> "the KX1 wins handsdown for backpacking..."
>
> Matt - K7OE
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