I live in Alaska at approximately 62 degrees north latitude where conditions average much worse than in the "lower 48" states . Nearly 100% of my operation in the last 2 years has been with my KX1. The bands are not always open, but more often than not when I go down to the shack I am successful. During the WPX contest in May conditions were good for this part of the sunspot cycle. I was able to work 302 QSO's in 41 countries, including many Europeans with my KX1 and 3 el yagi at 60 ft and dipoles for 40 and 80 meters. During field day I hiked up a local mountain, erected an inverted vee and had many QSO's, but needed to really work for them since QRP conditions from Alaska were only fair. I travel often with my KX1 and usually just use it with my 26 ft wire in a tree. From the midwest I often work the whole US and Canada and if conditions are unusually good very occasionally have even worked Europe and other DX with my wire. From northern Norway (68 degrees N.) and England I work all over Europe with my KX1 on internal batteries (1.5 watts). So just try the bands every day. Even in Alaska it is unusual to find the bands all dead for days on end. Over the last 2 years I have probably been 80 % successful in checking into the Elecraft net on 20 and perhaps 70 % successful on 40 meters(1800 miles).
A good antenna, like a yagi at 60 feet, is BIG help, however as you have read on the reflector, even folks with modest antennas can and do work DX with QRP.
PS...I am not trying to brag about my accomplishments, but am just trying to encourage folks to enjoy the next few years, and things WILL GET BETTER.
Rick KL7CW Palmer, Alaska KX1 # 798
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