Re: KX1 improvements

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Re: KX1 improvements

John Harper AE5X
>Those of you who have the KX1 (or decided against purchasing it), what
>improvements, add-ons, fixes, etc. would you suggest for this little radio?

John, I wasn't happy with the compromise between having internal batteries
or having a decent RF output. 6 internal AA cells provide *significantly*
less than half the power the KX1 is capable of but I liked not having to
carry an external battery pack, so I installed two rechargeable LiPo
batteries in a 2nd bottom case that I ordered from Elecraft.

Now I have more than double the power out with no increase in weight, no
decrease in operating time and I still have an integrated package.

Details & photo are here, but scroll down to the chart for a better idea of
what these batteries accomplish:

http://www.ae5x.com/kx1.html

John Harper AE5X
http://www.ae5x.com




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Re: Re: KX1 improvements

k6dgw
John Harper wrote:

>
> John, I wasn't happy with the compromise between having internal
> batteries or having a decent RF output. 6 internal AA cells provide
> *significantly* less than half the power the KX1 is capable of but I
> liked not having to carry an external battery pack, so I installed two
> rechargeable LiPo batteries in a 2nd bottom case that I ordered from
> Elecraft.
>
> Now I have more than double the power out with no increase in weight, no
> decrease in operating time and I still have an integrated package.

FWIW:  I used an LiPo battery I got from the local RC Model shop, and it
lasted about 6 months before the terminal voltage went to zero and it
began to swell.  I figured it was just a fluke, and I got another.  It
resulted in a moderately bad experience ["bad," as in, "it caught fire
while I had it plugged into my KX1"].  I am glad it wasn't inside the
radio.  The good news is that I was able to grab the power plug and
fling it out onto the gravel driveway.  The bad news is that the
driveway was wet.  Made for an interesting display to be watched from a
distance.

They were a bit pricey.  I've now decided not to power my radios with
lithium-anything.  YMMV

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2007 CQP Oct 6-7
- www.cqp.org
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