KX2 max output now 12 watts (experimental)

[wayne burdick]

The latest KX2 field-test firmware allows power output to be set as high as 12 watts on 80 through 20 meters. (Max out is still 10 watts on 17-10 meters.) Supply voltage must be 12.8 V or higher on key-down. ~14 V supply recommended.

Yes, this is only about 1 dB, but it did help me snag XF1IM this morning on 20 CW.

We consider the change experimental at this point. Not all KX2s are guaranteed to hit 12 W on all of these bands, and this level is recommended for low duty-cycle use, i.e. hunt/pounce.

If you’d like to give it a try, please email me directly.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[Paulette Quick]

What is the experience of operators with the KX2 indoors.  I am going to start using a KX2 with a W4OP antenna and I am concerned about getting out a signal.
Paulette WB9VHFMadison WI USA
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[Don Wilhelm]

Paulette,

As with any antenna, if you can get it outdoors and in the clear, your
noise pickup will be drastically reduced compared to using it indoors.

Although when mounted outdoors, the manual tuning may make it difficult
to tune from the KX2 location - so put on a short length of coax, and
carry the KX2 to the antenna location for tuning.  After tuning, connect
a coax extension onto the antenna, and go into the shack for operating.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/30/2017 11:22 AM, Paulette Quick wrote:
> What is the experience of operators with the KX2 indoors.  I am going to start using a KX2 with a W4OP antenna and I am concerned about getting out a signal.
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[w4sc-2]

I have a W4OP 40-10 meter end-fed mounted in the peak of the attic of my single story home.

I managed to work VP6DX (Elecraft sponsored) a few years back with a 10W K3 on 40M SSB (two times, early mornings local) as no one else seemed awake to call.  Also into Europe since on 40, 20 and 17.

More recently with a 10W KX2 I have managed to work into KH6, W6, Europe, Caribbean, and South America using CW and SSB, again on 40 mostly.

You just need to “pick your battles”, as you will (probably) not crack large, alligator pileups.  Band conditions and timing is everything

Have fun!!!!!!

73 de Ben W4SC
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[Chris Tate - N6WM]

Wayne I will load it on my KX2 and test..  
________________________________________
From: [hidden email] [[hidden email]] on behalf of Wayne Burdick [[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2017 8:13 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Cc: [hidden email]; QRP-L; HF Pack Pack
Subject: [Elecraft] KX2 max output now 12 watts (experimental)

The latest KX2 field-test firmware allows power output to be set as high as 12 watts on 80 through 20 meters. (Max out is still 10 watts on 17-10 meters.) Supply voltage must be 12.8 V or higher on key-down. ~14 V supply recommended.

Yes, this is only about 1 dB, but it did help me snag XF1IM this morning on 20 CW.

We consider the change experimental at this point. Not all KX2s are guaranteed to hit 12 W on all of these bands, and this level is recommended for low duty-cycle use, i.e. hunt/pounce.

If you’d like to give it a try, please email me directly.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[Steve Sergeant]

I often use the KX2 indoors with one of two temporary antennas:

1) A 3.9, 7.2, and 14.3_MHz 76' trapped and coil-shortened center-fed
inverted-V (dipole) with a SOTAbeams 1:1/15W  balun, pitched on a 10m
MFJ "fishing pole", and terminated on some 6' wooden fence posts. This
connects to my shack using a 75' length of RG58.

2) A 36' helical-wrapped vertical wire on that same "fishing pole", five
random non-resonant radials varied between 12' and 33' long at 6 to 12
inches above the ground, and a SOTAbeams 4:1/15W balun. I use this on
7.0 through 29.7_MHz. This connects to my shack using a 35' length of RG-8x.

With this setup I have worked 47 states and 3 Canadian provinces on
JT65, and 8 states on SSB. I regularly check-in to a couple of
multi-state public service nets on 75m as well.

I also carry those same two antennas into the field for camping trips,
but instead of RG58 or RG8x, I carry a 60' piece of RG174. Around the
time of the recent solar eclipse, I made about 20 contacts in 3 hours
from my campsite in Idaho outside Yellowstone N.P. with stations from
the west coast all of the way to the Great Lakes region on 80m and 20m.

When I used the KX2 with a Chameleon "P Loop" I was underwhelmed with
the results.

Steve, KC6ZKT, San Jose (CM97)


On 11/30/17 8:22 AM, Paulette Quick wrote:
> What is the experience of operators with the KX2 indoors.  I am going to start using a KX2 with a W4OP antenna and I am concerned about getting out a signal.
> Paulette WB9VHFMadison WI USA
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[George-3]

Wayne

Please send file for the KX2 as I would like to try.

Thanks 73

George wb5xx

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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[Bob Nielsen-4]

As I mentioned previously on this list, I operated WPX CW from
northeastern France in 2004 with my 10 watt K2 (running 5  watts) and a
W6MMA MP-1 mini-screwdriver antenna plus counterpoise from a 6th floor
hotel room.  The antenna was sitting on a table near the window and I
worked quite a bit of DX, including Tunisia and United Arab Emirates. 
Being the only entrant in the 20M QRP category, I naturally came in
first place.  Prior to the contest I worked many additional stations
including Aland Islands at 10 watts.  Of course, propagation was a bit
better than is currently the case.

Caveat: This was the Elecraft version of that antenna (no longer
available) which had the loading coil painted in Elecraft grey, which
obviously added some additional mojo.

I'm planning on setting up the same antenna for use with my KX2 from my
ground level apartment but don''t expect quite the same performance.

Bob Nielsen, N7XY


On 11/30/17 8:22 AM, Paulette Quick wrote:

> What is the experience of operators with the KX2 indoors.  I am going to start using a KX2 with a W4OP antenna and I am concerned about getting out a signal.
> Paulette WB9VHFMadison WI USA
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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[John Oppenheimer]

Used the new FW during my early morning 40M CW session. Used KX2 #80
with external LiFePO4 battery and inline W1 Power Meter. Antenna SWR =
1.3. The W1 12W LED does turn on. Measured DL1 power is 11.8 watts.
Ambient operating temperature was 22 C.

Sent many CQs before receiving an answer. Had two long QSOs. Maximum PA
temperature during CQs and conversations was 41 C.

John KN5L
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