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KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

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WD6DBM

KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

Dear Gang:

I am wondering what the experiences of the group are in operating from a wet
environment--say, in a kayak, or just QRP portable when it is drizzling and you
can't be in a shelter or tent? I have finally figured out how to mount an
antenna into my inflatable kayak (I think--as yet untried), and I'm hoping for
some operating ideas other than keeping the rig inside a dry bag while
operating.

Has anyone tried to make a KX1 splashproof by enclosing it in something akin to
a heavy baggie, with rubber bands wound around the bag where the antenna, key,
and power cables come through? It wouldn't be waterproof, but it might work.

73,

Eric WD6DBM
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Michael Babineau-2

Re: KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

eric norris <[hidden email]> wrote :
> I am wondering what the experiences of the group are in operating from a wet
> environment--say, in a kayak, or just QRP portable when it is drizzling and you
> can't be in a shelter or tent?

Eric .. I have had some success using an extra-large resealable plastic freezer bag around my KX1.
You can snip off a small bit of the plastic at each back corner to route feedline, headphone
and power cables. The rig just sits in the bag and you insert your hand in to access the controls.
I have done this a few times while operating Pedestrian Mobile when it was snowing. It is certainly
not waterproof but it does help to keep moisture from getting into the rig.

The big difficulty is manipulating the tuning knob. I am not a big fan of tuning via buttons but this is
one situation where KD1JV's interface on the ATS -series and the Hendricks PFR-3 actually comes in
handy as these rigs can almost be sealed up in a freezer bag and operated through the bag.

I have a lot of portable rigs (including a K1, a Sierra and an ATS-3A) but I always seem to take the KX1
on portable outings because it is hard to beat the combination of features (including the built-in paddle and tuner)
for the size and weight.

Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB

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Sante - IK0HBN

Re: KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

In reply to this post by WD6DBM

Hi Eric,
as an avid sea kayaker, during my summer holidays I use frequently my
KX1, but I never tried it when paddling at sea. It's almost quite
difficult to manage a full loaded kayak with all the stuffs needed
for a couples of weeks than adding even the task of using a radio.
My experience bring me to use radio when landing at evening and I am
not very confortable with the idea my radio could come in contact
with sea water, so I use it always away enough from water, let's see
10 meters, so to have just the space of getting radials into the
water. Fun is always guaranteed with KX1!! Of course special cards to
whom had the patience of hearring my tiny signals.
Ciao
Sante

At 02.26 23/12/2010, you wrote:

>Dear Gang:
>
>I am wondering what the experiences of the group are in operating from a wet
>environment--say, in a kayak, or just QRP portable when it is
>drizzling and you
>can't be in a shelter or tent? I have finally figured out how to mount an
>antenna into my inflatable kayak (I think--as yet untried), and I'm
>hoping for
>some operating ideas other than keeping the rig inside a dry bag while
>operating.
>
>Has anyone tried to make a KX1 splashproof by enclosing it in
>something akin to
>a heavy baggie, with rubber bands wound around the bag where the
>antenna, key,
>and power cables come through? It wouldn't be waterproof, but it
>might work.
>
>
>73,
>
>Eric WD6DBM
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

I operate my KX1 in a wet environment -- Kirkland WA is wet 9 months out of the year! Actually, I had my longest QRP contact yesterday on 40 meters. About 1050 miles from Kirkland to Ramona, California. Not bad for about 3 watts or so.

I just finished my KX1 about a month ago but work schedules and travel have limited my daytime access for good 40 meter QRP. It is dark by 4:30 PM now and so the band is dropping away fast by the time I get home from work. But, having a few days off lately helps.

After the grandkids leave in a few days, I will start working on my 80/30 meter option for the KX1 and maybe try some late night 80 meter DX on 3 watts.

73, phil, K7PEH
KX1 and K3 owner

On Dec 25, 2010, at 9:51 AM, Sante - IK0HBN wrote:

> Hi Eric,
> as an avid sea kayaker, during my summer holidays I use frequently my
> KX1, but I never tried it when paddling at sea. It's almost quite
> difficult to manage a full loaded kayak with all the stuffs needed
> for a couples of weeks than adding even the task of using a radio.
> My experience bring me to use radio when landing at evening and I am
> not very confortable with the idea my radio could come in contact
> with sea water, so I use it always away enough from water, let's see
> 10 meters, so to have just the space of getting radials into the
> water. Fun is always guaranteed with KX1!! Of course special cards to
> whom had the patience of hearring my tiny signals.
> Ciao
> Sante
>
>
> At 02.26 23/12/2010, you wrote:
>> Dear Gang:
>>
>> I am wondering what the experiences of the group are in operating from a wet
>> environment--say, in a kayak, or just QRP portable when it is
>> drizzling and you
>> can't be in a shelter or tent? I have finally figured out how to mount an
>> antenna into my inflatable kayak (I think--as yet untried), and I'm
>> hoping for
>> some operating ideas other than keeping the rig inside a dry bag while
>> operating.
>>
>> Has anyone tried to make a KX1 splashproof by enclosing it in
>> something akin to
>> a heavy baggie, with rubber bands wound around the bag where the
>> antenna, key,
>> and power cables come through? It wouldn't be waterproof, but it
>> might work.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Eric WD6DBM
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

AC7AC

Re: KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

In reply to this post by Sante - IK0HBN

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