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[KX3] Portable Antenna question

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

[KX3] Portable Antenna question

My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.

I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner,
and of course, now I can't find it.

I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).

Anyone have any practical experience to share?

73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT

P.S. Hi Lyle
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k6dgw

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Buddipole is a good antenna but somewhat heavy and not quick to set up
and tune. With the ATU, you can generally set it to a "recipe" and let
the tuner take care of the rest. I found verticals worked best, all the
horizontal configurations [arms up, out, up and down, V, whatever] are
basically an OCF loaded dipole. I had and used one for a number of
years, pretty satisfied.

I sold my BP and bought an AlexLoop. Very much lighter and smaller,
sets up much much faster, much easier to QSY, and works as well or maybe
a little better than the BP. A little pricey as is the BP, you can HB
the loop pretty easily.

Many of the SOTA crowd use end-fed half-wave wires ... no ground or
counterpoise required. Of course, they are generally doing this on
mountain tops which helps, but they are universally QRP or close to it.

I've used a 27' end-fed wire with my K2 and KX1. The ATU loads it fine
on 30 thru 10, it isn't real effective on 20 and below as you might
imagine from the short length.

Antennas are the last bastion of ham experimentation, try things out
once you're making RF from the KX3.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

On 3/8/2013 7:16 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
> I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner,
> and of course, now I can't find it.
>
> I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
> antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).
>
> Anyone have any practical experience to share?
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>
>
>
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AF5BV

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

I have an MP-1 Super Antenna and an Par Endfed 10-20-40 which I use with my new KX3.

I use the MP-1 from my condo balcony, usually at 10-12w, but my favorite is the Par Endfed in the field at 5w. I have a 32ft fiberglass push up pole which I attach to whatever I can find with bungy cords. I feed the endfed antenna near the top and then run it out to a convenient attachment. There is a youtube video which shows a simple way to do this. I have even operated from the condo roof very successfully. Deployment takes about 10-15 minutes and it provides excellent ears for the KX3

Paul
AF5BV

On Mar 8, 2013, at 9:16 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
> I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner, and of course, now I can't find it.
>
> I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).
>
> Anyone have any practical experience to share?
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by k6dgw

I was thinking of wire antennas to get started.

I chose the tuner over a solution like the Buddipole with that in mind.

I'd put the KX3 in the car, but I like digital modes, but I don't want
to see if the CHP would consider PSK-31 to be "texting."

On 3/8/2013 7:33 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> Many of the SOTA crowd use end-fed half-wave wires ... no ground or
> counterpoise required. Of course, they are generally doing this on
> mountain tops which helps, but they are universally QRP or close to it.

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Mike WA8BXN

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Hi Lynn,

The answer may depend a lot on what bands you want to operate on. I think
the KX3 tuner is rather wide range. You might look over the online manuals
for the other rigs for suggested antenna lengths. I think I have seen 51
feet can be a good length. Avoid a half wave on the band of interest. And
you will need some ground system, radial wire(s) or a car body often being
used.

73 - Mike WA8BXN

-------Original Message-------

From: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Date: 3/8/2013 10:16:18 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.

I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner,
and of course, now I can't find it.

I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).

Anyone have any practical experience to share?

73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT

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k6dgw

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Not sure if the ATU will match an EFHW, impedance is very high. But a
6:1 transformer may get it into matchable range for you.

In CA, "ham radio" operation is exempted from the cell phone law [that
doesn't make fooling with the radio any less dangerous :-)], don't know
about digital modes ... doesn't sound safe to me.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

On 3/8/2013 7:51 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

> I was thinking of wire antennas to get started.
>
> I chose the tuner over a solution like the Buddipole with that in mind.
>
> I'd put the KX3 in the car, but I like digital modes, but I don't want
> to see if the CHP would consider PSK-31 to be "texting."
>
> On 3/8/2013 7:33 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>> Many of the SOTA crowd use end-fed half-wave wires ... no ground or
>> counterpoise required. Of course, they are generally doing this on
>> mountain tops which helps, but they are universally QRP or close to it.

Jim Brown-10

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Mike WA8BXN

On 3/8/2013 7:52 PM, Mike WA8BXN wrote:
> The answer may depend a lot on what bands you want to operate on.

It also depends on where you will go to operate and how you will get
there. My neighbor Glen, W6GJB, travels every month or so on business,
and likes to operate from his hotel room. He and I have also driven t to
mountain tops, and some folks like to hike and climb.

Glen has accumulated a nice collection of telescoping rods of varying
extended length and collapsed length, and several ways to hold them in
place -- things like tripods, clamps, etc. He also has several lengths
of small diameter wire that he can spool and unspool to be radials, a
counterpoise, or a long wire out the window or into a tree, and he's
developed some neat ways to quickly rig and attach them. One of his
objectives is to be able to carry it onto an airplane, a second is to
fit it in checked luggage.

I think all of his ideas are good ones, and NONE of them involve
loading coils. Loading coils are lossy, and the last thing we need when
running QRP is loss. Glen first objective is to make his radiator a
quarter wave, and it's pretty practical to do that with these
collapsible wands for 20-10M. 30M and 40M are tougher, but possible.
There's a neat black fibreglass telescoping wand (distributed by a
German ham) that extends to 33 ft long. Tape the right length of #22
wire to it and you've got a full size 30M or 40M vertical! MFJ makes
some wands and tripods. You have to poke around to find the other stuff.

The message here is the the KX3 is a radio, and the antennas that work
well with it are the same that work with any radio. The old standby
fundamental types of antennas are still the winners - long wires,
verticals, some sort of counterpoise. Avoid driven elements close to a
half wave length because their high Z makes them hard to load.

73, Jim K9YC

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Of course -- and experimenting is half the fun. I expect to go through
a lot of wire playing.

I'm pretty good with the theory -- and as everyone has said, it makes
sense to avoid feeding the end of a half-wave wire.

I haven't yet found the impedance range for the tuner in the manuals.
I'm still reading.

I also moved not too long ago, and a lot of things (like my antenna
book) are in a box somewhere. I'm still searching. I think my Par
EF-20 is in one of those boxes, as is a nice chunk of coax with a BNC on
one end, and a PL-259 on the other. I did find my straight key, but I
haven't been on CW this millenium.

... and I've got 100' of Wireman #534 due to arrive tomorrow. I can
always buy more.

-- Lynn

On 3/8/2013 8:29 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> The message here is the the KX3 is a radio, and the antennas that work
> well with it are the same that work with any radio.

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Jim Brown-10

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

On 3/8/2013 8:51 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> I haven't yet found the impedance range for the tuner in the manuals.

Elecraft has been building antenna tuners for a decade or so, their
target has always been backpacking, and they are great tuners. As long
as you don't get within about 10% of a half wavelength, it will load
just fine. If you don't have a tuner, you'll want to get within 5-10% of
a quarter wave.

73, Jim K9YC
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Jim Brown-10

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

On 3/8/2013 10:30 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> The problem is that very large RF voltage are developed at the end of such a
> wire - well beyond what any compact or semi-compact tuner that doesn't use
> big air variable caps can handle. So we compromise.

Exactly. One specification (efficiency or SWR) alone does no define
success. The TX must put power into it, and loads close to a half wave
are very difficult for a tuner to match. Like I said -- avoid antennas
within 10% or so of a half wave. Beyond that, get as close to a quarter
wave with a decent counterpoise and call CQ.

This summer, W6GJB and I put a quarter wave whip on a tripod on a
mountataintop threw a quarter wave of wire into some scrub trees, and
connected it to his KX3. In about 10 minutes on 15M, we had worked AS,
SA, and the Carribbean,. And if there had been skip to EU and VK, we
would have worked them too.

73, Jim K9YC
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N0AZZ

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Lynn

I posted this same question here and to a QRP Club I belong to sometime back
and received well over a 100 emails both on and off both reflectors. Many
ideas and some of my own derived from other designs that I adapted I will
give you 3 offhand in just a moment.

You spoke of a possible install in your car, if I might tell you what a
friend in CA. found after 3 mo of trying to get his KX3 and a 300w mobile
amp of some kind he had at the same time to go with it. He bought a mobile
mount ran all the wiring installed a Screwdriver antenna. After all that
work was and numerous calls to Elecraft and the radio sent for a mod of some
kind then a month of trying to get it to work still no joy. He sent it back
to Elecraft to have the mod removed and a new LCD display cover installed
because the other was scratched during all the in and outs. When returned he
sold it as he's not a QRP op that's a shame.

Antennas the one piece of equipment that I use for about everything as I'm
not a hiker and have limited mobility I drive to where I operate. But that
piece of gear is light weight it's a 31' fiberglass telescoping windsock
pole that has an eyelet on the top about 3 1/2" in dia. by 4' when collapsed
and weighs about 6#?? I have several other items that I use with this 2 5
gal plastic buckets like oil comes in to support the pole one can be filled
with rocks etc for weight the other is filled with concrete with a 4" ID
pipe in the center of it both will need a couple of guys on windy days. The
other is a steel plate that I can pull one tire on with a 4" ID pipe 30"
tall that hold the pole and lets the SUV serve as somewhat of a ground
plane.

I use a Par end fed 10/20/40 for one of them my second is a 31' vertical
with several counterpoise's that I have on rolls 6 of them 33' each.

The last one (s) are simple but the most effective single band made from
300ohm twin lead I have 5 of them cut and rolled 10/15/17/20/40m. These can
be setup as an Inverted V or a flattop dipole if you have other supports I
have a few small insulators and Dacron rope for guying and the supports.
These are the most effective with my KX3 because they allow all the power of
the radio to the antenna using the duel binding post BNC adapter. They don't
take up much room and are in the bottom of my Pelican case with all I carry.
it is a med size one for the KX3 plus I have a 250' roll of 18ga wire that I
take along just in case I need some.

I have not used all of these away from the house but have used them in the
back yard and they work well and all tune easily with the KX3's tuner. I had
always thought that my Icom 703+ had a good internal in it till Elecraft
came along, as with other things.

Get ready to have a lot of fun with your KX3 BTW I am now using mine for SWL
a lot of the time where I was using my K3 before.

73,
Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lynn W. Taylor,
WB6UUT
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2013 10:52 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Of course -- and experimenting is half the fun. I expect to go through a
lot of wire playing.

I'm pretty good with the theory -- and as everyone has said, it makes sense
to avoid feeding the end of a half-wave wire.

I haven't yet found the impedance range for the tuner in the manuals.
I'm still reading.

I also moved not too long ago, and a lot of things (like my antenna
book) are in a box somewhere. I'm still searching. I think my Par
EF-20 is in one of those boxes, as is a nice chunk of coax with a BNC on one
end, and a PL-259 on the other. I did find my straight key, but I haven't
been on CW this millenium.

... and I've got 100' of Wireman #534 due to arrive tomorrow. I can always
buy more.

-- Lynn

On 3/8/2013 8:29 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> The message here is the the KX3 is a radio, and the antennas that work
> well with it are the same that work with any radio.

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6157 - Release Date: 03/08/13

-----
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Michael Babineau-2

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Lynn :

If you are looking for an end-fed wire length that is easy to match from 80m through 10m
I would suggest you try something in the 84 to 86 ft range. This can be small gauge wire
(i.e. 22 to 26 AWG) and plastic camping clothesline reels work well to store this length.

The Wire Man sells something called "Invisible Toughcoat Slinky" ( #534)
that is perfect for this type of antenna.

http://thewireman.com/antennap.html

You can work this against a few ground radials (I suggest 4+, about 1/8 wavelength long at your
lowest operating frequency). Another option is to use an elevated 16 ft wire for the other half
of the antenna (Google W3EDP).

This 84 to 86 ft length is one of the "magical lengths" that is not close to a half wave multiple
on any of the amateur bands (with perhaps the exception of 10m) so it presents a reasonable
impedance to your tuner across the HF spectrum.

If you don't care about 80 and want to go with something shorter try a 28 ft wire. It should
easily match on 40m through 20m without any issues.

Best of luck

Michael VE3WMB

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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Thanks everyone!

I was hoping for some good practical "getting started" experience, and
you gave me some great suggestions.

Several mentioned Wireman #534 -- a uniformed deliveryperson will bring
100' of that today.

Sadly, my KX3 is sitting at UPS just a few miles away, safely locked up
for the weekend.

I found fiberglass windsock poles that look very encouraging.

.... and I keep looking at the trees outside my apartment window. :-)

73 -- Lynn
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Lyle Johnson

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Hello Lynn!

Welcome aboard!

73,

Lyle

PS: For those who don't know him, Lynn is another of the early packet radio pioneers that seem to be joining the Elecraft family, and whom I've known since 1982 or so. Terry WB4JFI is another.

> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
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Mike Furrey

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

My favorite is a 20 meter DEZ, 86 feet fed in the center with open wire
line. Works OK on 80, good on 40 and 30, excellent on 20 and 10 and ok on
17, 15, and 10. Now in my current apartment I hid 43' up a tree and hid 43'
horizontally. I feed it with open wire line from a balun connected to the
back of my K3. I have Just started DXCC on RTTY and in three days have WAC
and 20 countries.

73 es GL! Mike WA5POK

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2013 11:16 PM
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
> I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner, and
> of course, now I can't find it.
>
> I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
> antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).
>
> Anyone have any practical experience to share?
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

wb4jfi

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lyle Johnson

Hey Lyle!

Thanks for the shout-out! I continue to be VERY impressed with the Elecraft
equipment, along with your contributions to them. I now have a K3/P3/SVGA,
and a KX3. A friend here in Charleston and I are playing with some
interfacing to these rigs. Being retired brings more time to play, but less
funds to go hog wild! Or, should that be Ham wild?
73,
Terry, WB4JFI

-----Original Message-----
From: Lyle
Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2013 2:19 PM
To: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Hello Lynn!

Welcome aboard!

73,

Lyle

PS: For those who don't know him, Lynn is another of the early packet radio
pioneers that seem to be joining the Elecraft family, and whom I've known
since 1982 or so. Terry WB4JFI is another.

> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
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Stephen Selberg

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Hi Lynn,

I just picked up a KX3 a few weeks back and of course had the same question. I knew wire antennas would work well but wanted to try something different and see what would work if I found myself out in the desert or jumping on the air from the beach, so I went with the super antenna MP1 with the optional tripod base. I set it up in my back yard (in less than 10 min) and added a few more radials onto it than what it came with. Set the KX3 up on the patio table and fired it up. First QSO was to Alaska from the SF bay area on CW using 3 watts on internal batteries. I was excited considering I had very low expectations of the antenna. But it worked. The main thing I like about it is that it setup and break down is very easy, and the foot print is really small. I have limited antenna options at home and am using a hustler 6btv that’s concealed in painted PVC pipe hidden in the trees. My plans for this weekend are to set the MP1 back up and do some a/b comps with the hustler.

On a side note, I went to New Mexico the week after I got my KX3. The super antenna breaks down really small and I had no problem sticking it in the pelican case I put together for the setup. Took the whole package radio and all as a carry-on onto the plane with out any problems. Got to New Mexico and set it up and had a blast. Are there other ideas that will work better, definitely, but for $100 for a small vertical it worked wonders. I figure if I find myself in a hotel room it would also work wonders.

I also picked up one of those MFJ 20 meter loaded telescoping antennas that plugs into the KX3 bnc connector. I added some radials to the KX3 case and started working JT65 while sitting at my kitchen table. Called CQ and started checking the PSKreporter website. Stations all along the east coast were picking me up from the SF bay area. The only issue I had was RFI causing the mousepad to freeze up. With JT65, that’s not a huge problem, but that would be an issue with PSK31 or RTTY. With the MP1 I did not have any RFI issues.

As someone else mentioned trying out all different kind of antennas is a lot of fun, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve spent most my free time playing with the KX3 and different antennas and have somewhat abandoned the shack hihi.

73,

Steve

KE6GDA

Sent from Windows Mail

From: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Sent: ‎March‎ ‎8‎, ‎2013 ‎7‎:‎16‎ ‎PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.

I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner,
and of course, now I can't find it.

I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).

Anyone have any practical experience to share?

73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT

P.S. Hi Lyle
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Mike WA8BXN

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Hi Steve,

Them MP-1 is a pretty neat antenna. You can set it up from the inside of a
tent when its raining (right outside the door). Its a compromise length wise
but well built.

I would suggest NOT putting any antenna on the BNC connector of the KX-3
because of the strain on the BNC connector in the radio. (I would not use
any hard connector like an 90 degree BNC to connect an antenna either). Use
some coax between the rig and the antenna and find a suitable and cheap to
fix if needed way to support the antenna.
73/72 - Mike WA8BXN

-------Original Message-------

From: [hidden email]
Date: 3/11/2013 4:55:17 PM
To: [hidden email]; Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

Hi Lynn,

I just picked up a KX3 a few weeks back and of course had the same question.
I knew wire antennas would work well but wanted to try something different
and see what would work if I found myself out in the desert or jumping on
the air from the beach, so I went with the super antenna MP1 with the
optional tripod base. I set it up in my back yard (in less than 10 min) and
added a few more radials onto it than what it came with. Set the KX3 up on
the patio table and fired it up. First QSO was to Alaska from the SF bay
area on CW using 3 watts on internal batteries. I was excited considering I
had very low expectations of the antenna. But it worked. The main thing I
like about it is that it setup and break down is very easy, and the foot
print is really small. I have limited antenna options at home and am using a
hustler 6btv thats concealed in painted PVC pipe hidden in the trees. My
plans for this weekend are to set the MP1 back up and do some a/b comps with
the hustler.

On a side note, I went to New Mexico the week after I got my KX3. The super
antenna breaks down really small and I had no problem sticking it in the
pelican case I put together for the setup. Took the whole package radio and
all as a carry-on onto the plane with out any problems. Got to New Mexico
and set it up and had a blast. Are there other ideas that will work better,
definitely, but for $100 for a small vertical it worked wonders. I figure if
I find myself in a hotel room it would also work wonders.

I also picked up one of those MFJ 20 meter loaded telescoping antennas that
plugs into the KX3 bnc connector. I added some radials to the KX3 case and
started working JT65 while sitting at my kitchen table. Called CQ and
started checking the PSKreporter website. Stations all along the east coast
were picking me up from the SF bay area. The only issue I had was RFI
causing the mousepad to freeze up. With JT65, thats not a huge problem, but
that would be an issue with PSK31 or RTTY. With the MP1 I did not have any
RFI issues.

As someone else mentioned trying out all different kind of antennas is a lot
of fun, and Im not going to lie, Ive spent most my free time playing with
the KX3 and different antennas and have somewhat abandoned the shack hihi.

73,

Steve

KE6GDA

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

AF5BV

Re: [KX3] Portable Antenna question

In reply to this post by Stephen Selberg

I too use the MP-1 Super Antenna, but replaced the flimsy collapsible whip, which I lost one windy evening, with a 10ft Buddypole whip! It's a bit longer but much more robust. The MP1 needs to be tuned carefully, and collapsed a section to resonate on 10m with the Buddypole whip, but otherwise it's a real good backup when I don't have my 32ft push-up pole.

Paul
AF5BV

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 11, 2013, at 3:55 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Hi Lynn,
>
>
>
> I just picked up a KX3 a few weeks back and of course had the same question. I knew wire antennas would work well but wanted to try something different and see what would work if I found myself out in the desert or jumping on the air from the beach, so I went with the super antenna MP1 with the optional tripod base. I set it up in my back yard (in less than 10 min) and added a few more radials onto it than what it came with. Set the KX3 up on the patio table and fired it up. First QSO was to Alaska from the SF bay area on CW using 3 watts on internal batteries. I was excited considering I had very low expectations of the antenna. But it worked. The main thing I like about it is that it setup and break down is very easy, and the foot print is really small. I have limited antenna options at home and am using a hustler 6btv that’s concealed in painted PVC pipe hidden in the trees. My plans for this weekend are to set the MP1 back up and do some a/b comps with the hustler.
>
>
>
> On a side note, I went to New Mexico the week after I got my KX3. The super antenna breaks down really small and I had no problem sticking it in the pelican case I put together for the setup. Took the whole package radio and all as a carry-on onto the plane with out any problems. Got to New Mexico and set it up and had a blast. Are there other ideas that will work better, definitely, but for $100 for a small vertical it worked wonders. I figure if I find myself in a hotel room it would also work wonders.
>
>
>
> I also picked up one of those MFJ 20 meter loaded telescoping antennas that plugs into the KX3 bnc connector. I added some radials to the KX3 case and started working JT65 while sitting at my kitchen table. Called CQ and started checking the PSKreporter website. Stations all along the east coast were picking me up from the SF bay area. The only issue I had was RFI causing the mousepad to freeze up. With JT65, that’s not a huge problem, but that would be an issue with PSK31 or RTTY. With the MP1 I did not have any RFI issues.
>
>
>
> As someone else mentioned trying out all different kind of antennas is a lot of fun, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve spent most my free time playing with the KX3 and different antennas and have somewhat abandoned the shack hihi.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Steve
>
> KE6GDA
>
>
>
> Sent from Windows Mail
>
>
> From: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
> Sent: ‎March‎ ‎8‎, ‎2013 ‎7‎:‎16‎ ‎PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question
>
>
> My new KX3 is due to arrive on Monday -- with the KXAT3 tuner.
>
> I saw some discussion of wire lengths that worked well with the tuner,
> and of course, now I can't find it.
>
> I plan on mostly portable operation -- no place where I live for a nice
> antenna (and probably hard to get the OK from management).
>
> Anyone have any practical experience to share?
>
> 73 -- Lynn, WB6UUT
>
> P.S. Hi Lyle
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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