Portable operation of KX1

[Frederick Dwight]

Hello Ralph
    I also often operate portable with my KX1, often from Phoenix.  Although I have had SOME LIMITED success operating from motels, homes, etc with various antennas, I want to give you another idea which WILL work and be lots of fun.  I usually just borrow a lawn chair and possibly a scrap of wood for an operating table, then hike to the nearest park with my radio and 25 ft piece of wire and 17 ft radial.  I throw the wire up in a tree and lay out one or 2 radials, then the fun begins.  Rx noise is much lower than in a subdivission or motel and I have a much better signal than I would have from a building.  In Phoenix there is usually a city park or some open space within a few blocks.  On my last trip to Phoenix I did not even bother to set up my rig at my daughters house, but just walked to the park to operate.  Many wonderful contacts on 20, 30, and 40 meters with this very simple set up.  In fact I had so much fun operating all afternoon in 75 degree temperatures I just stayed on the air into the evening and practically froze as the temperature dropped into the 40's since I just had short sleeves and shorts !  This kind of simple set up from the wide open spaces all over the US and Europe has netted me many QSO's  with my KX1 typically out to 1000 or 1500 miles, and very occasionally even some DX.
    When you do operate portable experiment with your ground.  Sometimes all I do is clip onto a metal picnic table, guard rail, metal roof, or whatever is around.  Often this is all I need and a radial does not help.  In other situations clipping onto a building ground or other object just SUCKS THE SIGNALS AWAY...like an electronic BLACK HOLE !!!  Then a radial should be installed.  I usually try both systems on receive first. (adding a radial will probably never degrade your signal).
    IF you can erect a dipole or other antenna at a good height above most surrounding structures then it probably will outperform my "park" antenna.  Often folks see me in a park and ask about ham radio and what I am doing.  Usually I am in a cw qso, so talking to them while on the air is difficult.  Before my next trip I am going to print up some small handouts which expain ham radio, qrp, cw etc.
     Have fun in Phoenix with your KX1.  You should be able to get into the Elecraft net to both Kevin and Tom on 20 for sure and possibly also on 40 with a "park set up".
                                                                Rick,   KL7CW  KX1 # 798,   Palmer, Alaska  
_______________________________________________
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

[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

For operation in a public park, I carry a Radio Shack 9 volt mono
amplified speaker (about $13) and a short audio cable.  Curious people
ask to hear what I'm listening to, and sharing the earphones is
unpleasant.

Also I use a 10 pack of NiMH AA's for extra power.  The 10x1 holder from
Mouser fits right under the KX1.

Leigh/WA5ZNU

On Mon, 20 Feb 2006 12:11 am, Frederick Dwight wrote:
> Hello Ralph
>     I also often operate portable with my KX1, often from Phoenix.  ...
> the nearest park with my radio and 25 ft piece of wire and 17 ft radial.
_______________________________________________
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