KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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I have a question for the collective out there. What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. I won't be hiking deep into the woods, but would like to hear what you have found to be a good balance between ease of use and effectiveness as an antenna.
I have used a W3EDP with good success, but an outing on the AT Trail with my KX-1 last Saturday shows that 80 plus feet of wire is a challenge to get into the trees. I have heard many combinations of wire antenna lengths and counterpoises, but I would like some input on what your experiences have determined to be your favorite combination. Obviously, the band(s) of choice and location of choice could go with the favorite antenna of choice. The featured rig of choice here is the KX-1, but I also have a K1 and K2 that get out to play once in a while. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights. tnx es 73 Tom, K4TJD _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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Hi Tom,
First of all, I swing a nylon mason line string with a weight attached to the free end (with a fishing swivel) over a convenient horizontal tree branch up about 25 +/- feet. I take off the weight and attach my center insulator to that free end of string, going through the eye hook on the top of the insulator. Then I attach a 35' length of RG-174 coax (or RG-58) to a center insulator which has a BNC connector on one end and a BNC connector on the other to go to my Elecraft rig of choice. At the center insulator I connect the two legs of a 40 meter dipole and also the two legs of a 20 meter dipole. I attach nylon strings to each of the four ends of these legs. I arrange the drooping dipole wires so that they are roughly at 90-degree angles to each other. I then hoist up the center insulator, so that the two dipoles become inverted vees, at right angles to each other. I secure the original string to a tree branch or trunk. I next walk the four leg ends out to convenient tree branches and tie their attached strings thereto. I hook up the BNC on the coax to my rig, use the internal auto tuner, and I'm ready to operate the contest or whatever. Hope this helps. 73, Carter -- Carter Craigie N3AO K2/100 s/n 678 K1 s/n 159 KX1 s/n 119 -- -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:20 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] KX-1 Antenna Recommendations I have a question for the collective out there. What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. I won't be hiking deep into the woods, but would like to hear what you have found to be a good balance between ease of use and effectiveness as an antenna. I have used a W3EDP with good success, but an outing on the AT Trail with my KX-1 last Saturday shows that 80 plus feet of wire is a challenge to get into the trees. I have heard many combinations of wire antenna lengths and counterpoises, but I would like some input on what your experiences have determined to be your favorite combination. Obviously, the band(s) of choice and location of choice could go with the favorite antenna of choice. The featured rig of choice here is the KX-1, but I also have a K1 and K2 that get out to play once in a while. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights. tnx es 73 Tom, K4TJD _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
> >What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard.
Hi Tom, I have two favorites: my homebrew PAC-12 vertical, and my twinlead inverted vee. If there are skyhooks available, I'll use the inverted vee. It only requires one branch up about 30 feet to hang it, and the 1/8" cords at the ends are tied off to the ground with stakes or rocks or whatever is handy. The antenna itself is a length of 300 ohm TV lead-in which is split to form the two legs of the vee, and continues (unsplit) for a half wavelength to the rig. No tuner needed since the impedance will be the same as at the center of the vee - between 50 and 72 ohms, depending on the angle at the apex. I made mine for 20m, and the legs are about 17 feet long with a feedline length of 29 feet. It's best if you have an Antenna Analyzer to adjust that length. It's simple, lightweight, easy to transport, AND it works great. If there are no skyhooks available, I use my PAC-12 vertical. The plans for building one are available on the Internet (do a Google search on 'PAC-12'). You can stake it into the ground, or you can mount it on a miniature camera tripod (the treads are compatible). If it's on the tripod, I'll guy the antenna with some 1/8" cord. My experience with this antenna is limited to 20m, but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. If you'd like any more information on either antenna, drop me a line. 73, ed - k9ew _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
My antenna for portable operation is a 44 ft. doublet antenna fed with
twisted pair teflon insulated #24 wire (the antenna flattop is the same material). I use it in conjunction with a telescoping pole, but a line over a tree branch would work too - the pole is not 'tree dependent'. I erect it in what ever configuration lends itself to the site - I prefer to set it up as an inverted vee, but if supports for the ends are lacking, I run one side of the antenna up along the pole and lay the other half of the dipole out on the ground - it works as a vertical with one radial that way. With 35 feet of the twisted pair feedline it tunes readily on all bands 40 thru 10 - it has been used on 80 meters too, but the efficency is quite a bit lower due to the less than 1/4 wave length. I have not tried it specifically with the KX1 tuner, but the K1 and K2 tuners handle it just fine. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > I have a question for the collective out there. What is your > favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. I won't be > hiking deep into the woods, but would like to hear what you have > found to be a good balance between ease of use and effectiveness > as an antenna. > I have used a W3EDP with good success, but an outing on the AT > Trail with my KX-1 last Saturday shows that 80 plus feet of wire > is a challenge to get into the trees. I have heard many > combinations of wire antenna lengths and counterpoises, but I > would like some input on what your experiences have determined to > be your favorite combination. Obviously, the band(s) of choice > and location of choice could go with the favorite antenna of choice. > The featured rig of choice here is the KX-1, but I also have a K1 > and K2 that get out to play once in a while. > Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights. > tnx es 73 > Tom, K4TJD > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
Why wait till you get there?
This is a trail friendly radio ! i use a 10 foot whip with a top hat on it. No loading coils. The whip sits in my rear pocket and i use a drag wire for a counterpoise while hiking along. i have worked : Foxes, USA, Costa Rica, Latvia, Estonia, Canada, Virgin Island, New Zealand, Macedonia on 20M and Belize on 40M with my Elecraft KX1 (3W) on the 10 foot whip. My midnight 'KX1 Pedestrian Mobile vs Bear' story is in an eHam Article at http://www.eham.net/articles/9262 My DXCC/pm story "100 Countries on a 10 Foot Whip" is on eham.net at http://www.eham.net/articles/10734 Paul [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Ed - K9EW
k9ew - Ed wrote:
>>>What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. >>> >>> > > Hi Tom, > I have two favorites: my homebrew PAC-12 vertical, and my twinlead inverted >vee. > If there are skyhooks available, I'll use the inverted vee. It only >requires one branch up about 30 feet to hang it, and the 1/8" cords at the >ends are tied off to the ground with stakes or rocks or whatever is handy. >The antenna itself is a length of 300 ohm TV lead-in which is split to form >the two legs of the vee, and continues (unsplit) for a half wavelength to >the rig. No tuner needed since the impedance will be the same as at the >center of the vee - between 50 and 72 ohms, depending on the angle at the >apex. I made mine for 20m, and the legs are about 17 feet long with a >feedline length of 29 feet. It's best if you have an Antenna Analyzer to >adjust that length. It's simple, lightweight, easy to transport, AND it >works great. > If there are no skyhooks available, I use my PAC-12 vertical. The plans for >building one are available on the Internet (do a Google search on 'PAC-12'). >You can stake it into the ground, or you can mount it on a miniature camera >tripod (the treads are compatible). If it's on the tripod, I'll guy the >antenna with some 1/8" cord. My experience with this antenna is limited to >20m, but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. > If you'd like any more information on either antenna, drop me a line. > 73, ed - k9ew > > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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RG wrote:
> k9ew - Ed wrote: > >>>> What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. >>>> >>> >> >> Hi Tom, >> I have two favorites: my homebrew PAC-12 vertical, and my twinlead >> inverted >> vee. >> If there are skyhooks available, I'll use the inverted vee. It only >> requires one branch up about 30 feet to hang it, and the 1/8" cords >> at the >> ends are tied off to the ground with stakes or rocks or whatever is >> handy. >> The antenna itself is a length of 300 ohm TV lead-in which is split >> to form >> the two legs of the vee, and continues (unsplit) for a half >> wavelength to >> the rig. No tuner needed since the impedance will be the same as at the >> center of the vee - between 50 and 72 ohms, depending on the angle at >> the >> apex. I made mine for 20m, and the legs are about 17 feet long with a >> feedline length of 29 feet. It's best if you have an Antenna Analyzer to >> adjust that length. It's simple, lightweight, easy to transport, AND it >> works great. >> If there are no skyhooks available, I use my PAC-12 vertical. The >> plans for >> building one are available on the Internet (do a Google search on >> 'PAC-12'). >> You can stake it into the ground, or you can mount it on a miniature >> camera >> tripod (the treads are compatible). If it's on the tripod, I'll guy the >> antenna with some 1/8" cord. My experience with this antenna is >> limited to >> 20m, but I can say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it >> performed. >> If you'd like any more information on either antenna, drop me a line. >> 73, ed - k9ew >> >> >> > How do you feed this one? > _______________________________________________ Sorry. I read it again AFTER my first cup of coffee, and found out!! _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
For 20 meters and up, the Minuteman antenna I have has been very good in
performance and ease of use. It does require some guying in a wind, and I modified the upper section to have another PVC pipe section to provide more Velcro attachments to stabilize the collapsible whip. Stuart K5KVH _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
I use a simple doublet made from 64 ft. of 18 ga. speaker wire. The
first 24 ft. is split to make halfwave dipole elements on 30 meters, with the remaining 40 feet serving as a balanced feedline. The KX1 can tune it on all 3 bands, with good results. Besides vee and sloper arrangements, I sometimes use it as a single radial vertical... one element going straight up to a tree limb, the other running above the ground as the radial with the feedpoint and feedline elevated a foot or two. I like a longish feedline so that the antenna can be some distance from the operating position. This is helpful when I want the antenna setup up at some advantageous but exposed place like a ridgeline or peak but want to operate down in a more sheltered spot to avoid wind and/or the blazing NM sun. Bob NW8L On 11/15/05, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote: > I have a question for the collective out there. What is your favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard. I won't be hiking deep into the woods, but would like to hear what you have found to be a good balance between ease of use and effectiveness as an antenna. > I have used a W3EDP with good success, but an outing on the AT Trail with my KX-1 last Saturday shows that 80 plus feet of wire is a challenge to get into the trees. I have heard many combinations of wire antenna lengths and counterpoises, but I would like some input on what your experiences have determined to be your favorite combination. Obviously, the band(s) of choice and location of choice could go with the favorite antenna of choice. > The featured rig of choice here is the KX-1, but I also have a K1 and K2 that get out to play once in a while. > Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights. > tnx es 73 > Tom, K4TJD > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Tom & other interested parties,
My portable antenna of choice has been my own rendition of the PAC-12 take-apart vertical. I've used it quite successfully and have mine built to break down in pieces small enough to fit in the carrying case with the KX1. I also use one with my K2 and have had many fine contacts with both. The bands of choice are 40, 30 and 20 for both rigs in the field. It's easy to change coils on the PAC-12 to change bands, and being ground mounted on a spike and only needing 5 or 6 ten foot radials (these will wind up nicely in one "camper's clothesline" reel which you can get for $1.49 at Wally World) and I carry a small wire spool with 80 feet of RG-174/U coax fitted with BNC connectors on both ends. The 80 feet is an arbitrary length, and corresponds to some that was given to me with connectors already commercially installed. I believe it came out of a de-commissioned GE MRI medical imager. Sure comes in handy though. I've worked some pretty exotic DX with this combo and the QRP K2 and a couple of weeks ago while standing in for Elecraft at a hamfest, the propagation on 30 meters was fantastic and quite a few of the hamfest goers worked W1AW from Enid, Oklahoma using both the K2 and KX1 from our display table. I have the KX1, PAC-12, 2300 MaH AA cells in a 10 cell pack for 12 volts worth of battery, PAC-12 parts to make up the antenna for 40, 30 and 20 meters and the 80 foot roll of coax in a nice little camera/tool case I got from Harbor Freight for $12.99 plus tax. This case measures 11.5 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches on the outside. I used some thin PVC sheet I happened to have laying around to compartment it and make packing it easier. I have the K2 fitted in a larger case that cost around 30 bucks from the same source. The K2 @ 5 watts will run at least half a day on the internal battery, and I have a 30 watt solar panel with a charge controller that can pretty much keep it going all day at that power level on CW and much longer on SSB. I probably need to take some pictures of these cases and post them somewhere so everyone can see them. 72 & enjoy -- Jim Sheldon, W0EB K2 #4338 & KX1 #1268 > > On 11/15/05, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I have a question for the collective out there. What is > your favorite > > antenna to take to the field or backyard. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
re: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
Tom wrote :
> I have a question for the collective out there. What is your favorite > antenna to take to the field or backyard. I won't be hiking deep into > the woods, but would like to hear what you have found to be a good > balance between ease of use and effectiveness as an antenna. Tom : I have had very good luck most of the time operating with vertical end-fed wires in the range of 24 to 28 feet long using a ground radial system of 5 radials, each 16 feet long made from computer ribbon cable splayed out. This will generally give a good match on 40m / 30m and 20m with the KX1. I found the if you can keep the wire mostly vertical that 24 feet will match fine with the KX1 internal tuner but if you need to slope it somewhat or run part of it horizontally then something closer to 28 feet will tend to give a better and more consistent match. I often use a 20 foot fishing pole as a support (I hate to rely on mother nature putting a tree exactly where I need one !) and I have fashioned my own linear loaded 20 foot vertical out of lightweight twin-lead from Radio shack. It is simply a 20 foot length of twinlead with the wires shorted at the top and banana plugs on both of the wires at the bottom. For 30m and 20m I simply plug both into the RED terminal on my Pomona BNC to banana jack adaptor to make a FAT 20 foot radiator for these bands (the radial system is connected to the black terminal). For 40m I just disconnect one of the two wires. giving me a 20 foot wire that is linear loaded for its full length. This will match quite easily on 40m. In fact I have also used a 14 foot version of this vertical quite successfully for 40m Pedestrian mobile operations with the KX1. What I have found is that in extremely rocky locations that performance of the above antennas suffer, so under those circumstances I tend to revert back to a 44 foot double made out of #24 AWG teflon coated wire, with an integral loosely twisted pair feedline (ie two wires each 50+ feet long, tied at the 22 ft mark using an electricians knot, then the remainder twisted approx 4 twists per foot to make the feedline). If you fiddle with the feedline length you should be able to get this to match on 40m / 30m / 20m. I hope that this gives you some ideas. Michael VE3WMB P.S. I have also found that the internal tuner in the K1 will match pretty much any antenna that works with the KX1. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: KX-1 Antenna Recommendations
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In reply to this post by tjdooley
Don wrote :
> My antenna for portable operation is a 44 ft. doublet antenna fed with > twisted pair teflon insulated #24 wire (the antenna flattop is the same > material). Great antenna Don (see my earlier posting ;-) ) . I just thought that I would add that I found that the teflon coated stuff doesn't like to stay twisted so I resorted to putting small pieces of heat shrink tubing every 6 or so inches on the feedline portion. > > With 35 feet of the twisted pair feedline it tunes readily on all > bands 40 > thru 10 - I am using about 28 feet of feedline and I have had some problems matching it with some tuners on 40M so I will try adding about 7 feet of feedline and see how that works .... thanks. Michael VE3WMB _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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