KX-1: Help working stations like VP6DX

[Neil -2]

Been away from ham radio for 40 or so years, so technique is
a black hole. I could us some basic advice. I'd hoped to
work VP6DX but couldn't quite pull it off. What would be
you're advice next time such an opportunity rolls around?

Givens: KX-1 + ~70' long wire, 45 ft. up. External homebrew
tuner. Also available, a good general coverage rcvr.

Scenario: Heard VP6DX calling/responding many times, CW, on
40M @ 7002.5. Their site lists their listening freq. as +
25. (At least that's what I think the table here means:
http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/operating/frequencies/index.php)
Also think I heard hams calling VP6DX on other freqs.
including on their xmit freq. I'm a general class, so
couldn't operate down there.

So...
1. If I want to call 25kHz up, and the KX-1 RIT range is
~+/- 6kHz, what's be best way to jump back and forth given
that constraint? Should I be using the priority freq. memory
function, and try to switch back and forth fast enough to
establish a contact? At the rate the QSOs were taking place,
switching that way seems cumbersome.

2. Would I be better using the second rcvr to listen, and
the KX-1 only to transmit? But then I need to build a TR
switch, and I'm not sure how to best get a transmit control
signal from the KX-1. Also how would I operate portably
without the extra recvr... my main interest?

Rather than go on suggesting other options, I think you get
the gist--I need some best practices advice. WWW links to
references most welcome. I also realized, too late, that
I'll need to use the memory keyer function if I'm going to
jump into the kind of soup I heard VP6DX stir up.

Thanks very much,
Neil KI6HJS

Neil Murphy
www.ghostdog.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

[Tom Hammond-2]

Hi Neil:

>So...
>1. If I want to call 25kHz up, and the KX1 RIT range is
>~+/- 6kHz, what's be best way to jump back and forth given
>that constraint? Should I be using the priority freq. memory
>function, and try to switch back and forth fast enough to
>establish a contact? At the rate the QSOs were taking place,
>switching that way seems cumbersome.

UNfortunately, there's NO WAY to use the KX1 (alone) to work
DX that's operating with THAT WIDE A SPLIT...!  Period.

You need to have virtually INSTANTANEOUSLY SWITCHABILITY
between receiving the DX's signal and those of the other
stations calling him. With a split wider than the KX1 can
handle, there's just no way to make that leap.

>2. Would I be better using the second rcvr to listen, and
>the KX1 only to transmit? But then I need to build a TR
>switch, and I'm not sure how to best get a transmit control
>signal from the KX-1. Also how would I operate portably
>without the extra recvr... my main interest?

Some sort of decent receiver which you could put on the DX's
transmit frequency, thus allowing you to move the KX1 (RX AND
TX) up to the area where the 'pileup' is calling and working
him.  That way, you can use the KX1 to search for the guy the
DX is working, and have the KX1 TX follow.

Good luck,

Tom   N0SS  

_______________________________________________
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