KX3 on SSB Mobile

[Edward A. Dauer]

I am about to do a mobile installation of a KX3 and KPA-100 (with KAT-100)
in an old SUV (a 2001 Infiniti QX4, the functional equivalent of an old
Datsun pickup truck), with the hope of putting rare western counties on
the air, SSB.  I have not operated mobile since 1973, and haven¹t used any
mode other than CW since about the same time.  Hence two sets of requests
for advice:
Installation - I have found someone who does mobile radio installations
professionally, for police and commercial vehicles, and he¹s also a ham.
Plan to meet him next week.  He¹ll have his own list, but I wanted to ask
what my list should be ‹ other than installing the Hustler mount for the
antenna, complete boding of everything to everything, direct DC taken from
the battery (yes or no?), in-line fusing everywhere. . . . DC wiring
shielded?  How about the control lines from the KX3 in the cockpit to the
KPA in the rear cargo space?  Any special considerations?  What else
should I be sure to have done?

SSB  -  I have never used either the KX3 or the K3 on anything other than
CW. I don¹t even know if the Mode switch works.   I saw on the reflector a
couple of weeks ago a ³starter set² of audio settings for the K3.  Anyone
have the equivalent advice for the KX3?  And despite the critique posted
here recently, I have the Heil Pro headset that Elecraft sold with the
rig.  But I don¹t want a headset while I¹m driving, right?  So - what¹s a
good mike?  And should I try to get the KX3 audio output through the car¹s
audio system (it¹s an old Bose), or buy a separate external speaker and
mount it somewhere?  What else am I not thinking of . . ?

Tnx!

Ted, KN1CBR

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Elecraft mailing list]

I don't have a KX3 (I do have a K3 in the shack), butI do operate mobile with an IC-7000. One important thingto keep in mind is fusing of *BOTH* DC leads. It's beenmentioned on this list many times, but bears repeating asit will save your equipment should the Wrong Thing happen!(And, yes, direct from the battery, with appropriatewire gauge, and some sort of quick-disconnect plug).
HTH, and 73, de N1HO
      From: "Dauer, Edward" <[hidden email]>
 To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
 Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 1:32 PM
 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 on SSB Mobile
   

>>> I am about to do a mobile installation of a KX3 and KPA-100 (with KAT-100)...

   
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Ken G Kopp]

Hustler and Outback antennas usually compete for the bottom of the results
lists in mobile antenna tests.

See K0BG's website for LOTS of useful mobiling information.

Keep in mind that by far the majority of the radiation from a loaded
antenna occurs between the bottom of the loading coil and the base.

73

Ken Kopp - K0PP
(A million + miles of HF mobiling)
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Jim Brown-10]

On Sun,7/12/2015 10:32 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
> Installation - I have found someone who does mobile radio installations
> professionally, for police and commercial vehicles, and he¹s also a ham.

Remember that all of his professional work is for VHF/UHF, where there
is FAR less possibility of interference to and from the vehicle's
on-board electronics. He is unlikely to know about using ferrite chokes
to avoid problems on HF, and he won't know that multiple turns are needed.

> Plan to meet him next week.  He¹ll have his own list, but I wanted to ask
> what my list should be ‹ other than installing the Hustler mount for the
> antenna, complete boding of everything to everything,

Complete bonding of the vehicle is the biggie -- my Toyota Sequoia is a
bonding disaster, with elements of the body and frame insulated from
each other by paint.

> direct DC taken from the battery (yes or no?)

Yes. Do NOT use the chassis as a return.  Do NOT bond the radio or the
power amp to the car.

> , in-line fusing everywhere. . . . DC wiring shielded?

No, but use twisted pair. Buy black and white #10, put it in a drill and
twist it.  Make the cable  long enough that you can wind multiple turns
through a ferrite core, following the guidelines in
k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf   Place the choke near the battery.

> How about the control lines from the KX3 in the cockpit to the
> KPA in the rear cargo space?

Elecraft has connectorized for CAT5, which, if each signal is on a pair,
offers good noise rejection.  Add a ferrite choke to these cables.

> Any special considerations?  What else should I be sure to have done?

Use a ferrite choke on the coax as close as possible to the antenna. DO
bond the coax shield to the vehicle at the antenna -- that's your
counterpoise -- and make sure that everything in the path is bonded.
Example -- in an S80 Volvo I used to own, I used a license plate mount.
I had to bond between the mount and the trunk lid, and also around the
trunk hinges. More bonding would have improved both TX and RX, but I
never got around to doing it.

> SSB  -  I have never used either the KX3 or the K3 on anything other than
> CW. I don¹t even know if the Mode switch works.   I saw on the reflector a
> couple of weeks ago a ³starter set² of audio settings for the K3.  Anyone
> have the equivalent advice for the KX3?

The laws of physics don't change between rigs.  Use the same settings
for TXEQ that I posted for the K3 -- max cut of the three lowest bands,
cut 6 dB on the 4th band. Depending on the mic and your voice, you might
want more cut on the 4th band, and you might want a bit of boost on the
top two bands, but not more than 6 dB.

Because the KX3 audio amp is intentionally designed to minimize current
draw for backpacking, it is good to use the same settings for RXEQ. This
will maximize the power available for speech.

> And despite the critique posted
> here recently, I have the Heil Pro headset that Elecraft sold with the
> rig.  But I don¹t want a headset while I¹m driving, right?

For county hunters, you might want to try to find places you can park.
Hilltop locations can greatly improve your signal, and being parked
allows you to wear a headset. Also, don't rule out CW, which will
greatly improve your range. I've done a LOT of CW mobile, even when
driving through Chicago rush hour traffic! I'm a leftie, so I put the
paddle on top of the compartment between the two seats.

> So - what¹s a good mike?

See comments in previous threads.  Almost any good communications mic
can be made to work fine by simply wiring it correctly.

> And should I try to get the KX3 audio output through the car¹s audio system

I would be cautious about that -- you could open up a can of worms with
RFI or noise.

> (it¹s an old Bose), or buy a separate external speaker and
> mount it somewhere?

Many years ago, I found some little cube speakers at a hamfest, and
bought ten of them. I recently mounted a pair of them to the headrest
for use with my FM rig. That MIGHT be loud enough. Try the passive
speaker first if you can find one, use the amplified speaker as a last
resort -- again, that can of worms with noise from the vehicle's
electrical system. One good alternative, if you can find them, are the
battery-powered speakers that used to be sold for use with Walkman-style
products. This eliminates the need for connection to the vehicle for power.

> What else am I not thinking of . . ?

Watch out for QRM TO your vehicle's computers. When I fired up 100W on
20M, it crashed the computer in my Toyota Sequoia. I was driving through
the desert in nowhere Nevada at the time.

73, Jim K9YC

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Elecraft mailing list]

Well, you will h ave a ball with the KX 3 and the remote amp.
I'll let others address the installation, but on the audio interface, I chose the Lux Mobil Technology LMT-88T to go with the vehicles FM sound system.  I plug the KX3 phone output into the the two stereo cables and just plug it into the cigar socket and it turns on when the car sound system is on.  I chose a low end of the FM dial and it works great.  Fills up the cab nicely.
Mel, K6KBE

      From: "Dauer, Edward" <[hidden email]>
 To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
 Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 10:32 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 on SSB Mobile
   

I am about to do a mobile installation of a KX3 and KPA-100 (with KAT-100)
in an old SUV (a 2001 Infiniti QX4, the functional equivalent of an old
Datsun pickup truck), with the hope of putting rare western counties on
the air, SSB.  I have not operated mobile since 1973, and haven¹t used any
mode other than CW since about the same time.  Hence two sets of requests
for advice:
Installation - I have found someone who does mobile radio installations
professionally, for police and commercial vehicles, and he¹s also a ham.
Plan to meet him next week.  He¹ll have his own list, but I wanted to ask
what my list should be ‹ other than installing the Hustler mount for the
antenna, complete boding of everything to everything, direct DC taken from
the battery (yes or no?), in-line fusing everywhere. . . . DC wiring
shielded?  How about the control lines from the KX3 in the cockpit to the
KPA in the rear cargo space?  Any special considerations?  What else
should I be sure to have done?

SSB  -  I have never used either the KX3 or the K3 on anything other than
CW. I don¹t even know if the Mode switch works.  I saw on the reflector a
couple of weeks ago a ³starter set² of audio settings for the K3.  Anyone
have the equivalent advice for the KX3?  And despite the critique posted
here recently, I have the Heil Pro headset that Elecraft sold with the
rig.  But I don¹t want a headset while I¹m driving, right?  So - what¹s a
good mike?  And should I try to get the KX3 audio output through the car¹s
audio system (it¹s an old Bose), or buy a separate external speaker and
mount it somewhere?  What else am I not thinking of . . ?

Tnx!

Ted, KN1CBR

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

 
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[John Hendricks-2]

I use my KX3/KXPA100 combination mobile in two different cars and suggest the following:
1. Direct DC to the battery with both sides fused at 30 Amps.
2. Have found my old Hustler to be very inefficient. Have tried several other antennas but use a budipole dipole from a fixed most of the time when I want to maximize my signal.
3. For the microphone I have found Elecraft's H3 hand microphone to get good audio reports when adjusted per Elecrafts instructions.
4. One last thing use Cat 5 or 6 shielded cable for the control cable between the KX3 and the amp grounded only at the amp to avoid problems.

John K7JLT
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Alan Bloom]

On 07/12/2015 10:32 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
>
> I am about to do a mobile installation of a KX3 and KPA-100 (with KAT-100)
> in an old SUV (a 2001 Infiniti QX4, the functional equivalent of an old
> Datsun pickup truck), with the hope of putting rare western counties on
> the air, SSB.

When I moved to California in 1979 I operated the CW county hunters'
nets from my VW beetle driving out from Ohio.  It was a blast.  I used a
full-sized CB whip on the rear bumper with a tuner.  The Drake TR7 and
tuner were in a cardboard box in the passenger's wheel well and the key
paddle was mounted on a board attached to the box.  Worked great.

> I have the Heil Pro headset that Elecraft sold with the
> rig.  But I don¹t want a headset while I¹m driving, right?

At least in California it's illegal to have both ears covered while
driving, but it's OK to have only one ear covered.

Alan N1AL
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Al Gulseth-2]

"Full-sized" whip on a VW Beetle? I thought there for a moment maybe you were
the guy with the VW on the cover of CQ for September 1961:

http://hamcall.net/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1961&mo=09&pg=001

That _had_ to be pretty efficient for a mobile antenna. As I recall from
reading about it originally when I was a kid something was mentioned about
overpasses being a hazard. That probably would be true as I think it was
described as a quarter wave... for 40M....

73, Al

On Sun July 12 2015 9:53:18 pm Alan wrote:

>
> When I moved to California in 1979 I operated the CW county hunters'
> nets from my VW beetle driving out from Ohio.  It was a blast.  I used a
> full-sized CB whip on the rear bumper with a tuner.  The Drake TR7 and
> tuner were in a cardboard box in the passenger's wheel well and the key
> paddle was mounted on a board attached to the box.  Worked great.
>
> > I have the Heil Pro headset that Elecraft sold with the
> > rig.  But I don¹t want a headset while I¹m driving, right?
>
> At least in California it's illegal to have both ears covered while
> driving, but it's OK to have only one ear covered.
>
> Alan N1AL
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Alan Bloom]

On 07/13/2015 06:17 AM, Al Gulseth wrote:
> "Full-sized" whip on a VW Beetle? I thought there for a moment maybe you were
> the guy with the VW on the cover of CQ for September 1961:
>
> http://hamcall.net/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1961&mo=09&pg=001

No no, it was a full-sized *CB* whip on a Beetle!  About 9 feet long, no
problems with freeway overpasses.  :=)

I loaded it up with a Drake MN2700 tuner.  It worked fine on 20, 15 and
10 meters but as I recall I needed an external loading coil for 40.

Alan N1AL

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]