I have been operating QRP portable for about 65 years. Until about 15 years ago when I got my KX1, I mostly used linked dipoles, and other hard to erect antennas.
Often I did not even set up for portable operation in a campground, mountain top, or just because it was too much effort. All that changed with my KX1 with a
built in ATU. A typical antenna for casual portable operation is a simple 26 foot piece of wire and a 17 foot counterpoise wire laying on the ground. This worked
great for 40, 30, and 20 meters, got me on the air in a few minutes, and produced many hundreds of QSO’s from my locations in Europe, the UK, and from
various places around the “lower 48” states. Now for sure this simple antenna was not equivalent to more complex antennas which I sometimes erect for field
day, etc. So I would get the ATU for sure, since compromise, or very compromise antennas are often your only possibility. There are other “magic” lengths
of wire which enable operation on many other bands with an ATU. I now have and enjoy a KX2 with more power and a better ATU. I bought the AX1 since
money was not a concern, however I suspect that many (most) wire antennas will outperform it, especially on 30 and 40 meters. You need to consider which
modes of operation, the power level, then number of hours of operation in a portable expedition, etc. before deciding the battery configuration. One possibility
is one internal pack, then an appropriate external battery pack with enough capacity for an activation. So far I really enjoy my KX2 with the paddle on CW and
have even tested it on SSB a few times. No significant experience yet with the AX1. Rick KL7CW
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