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Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

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Al Gulseth-2

Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

Greetings Elecrafters,

I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
equipment as noted above.

Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
an experiment/idea at this time

One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.

Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?

As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?

BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....

TNX/73, Al
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Jim Wiley-2

Re: Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

Al -

Chain link fences are usually poor choices for antennas. Here's why:
(1) The links are not bonded to one another, so even though the fence
"looks" continuous, it is not. Poor connection between adjacent wires
creates lots of rectifying joints, with attendant RFI, both incoming and
outgoing. (2) In most installations, the bottom part of the fence
"drags the ground", greatly attenuating RF signals, again both ways.
(3) The fence, even the top wires, are not very far above the ground,
ergo: poor radiation and reception.

A much better approach is a length of insulated wire thrown over a
branch, or supported by a telescoping fiberglass mast, together with
one or more radial / counterpoise wires (if used as a counterpoise, the
wires should be resonant and at least several inched above actual
ground, if possible). An automatic tuner, such as the ones available
for the K2 and K3 transceivers will make things easy for transmit
applications. For receive only, a insulated wire 50 to 75 feet long
will usually pull in anything that's out there. There are obviously
better receive antennas, but for casual listening, such as you describe,
a single wire plus a "casual" ground wire / radial wire should be enough.

- Jim, KL7CC

Al Gulseth wrote:
> <snip>
>
> As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
> link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?
>
>
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

In reply to this post by Al Gulseth-2

Al,

From your goals, it sounds like you need to place an order for the
Elecraft KX3.
160 through 6 meters (General coverage RX 310 kHz through 32 MHz plus 44
to 54 MHz and 144 to 148 with the 2 meter option - with CW, SSB, DATA,
AM and FM modes.

It has a built-in speaker, that is easy to copy.

OK, it is not the "low priced kid on the block", but there is nothing to
compare to it. It is a 15 watt version of a fully "grown up"
transceiver in a size just a little larger than the average handheld
VHF/UHF transceiver.

When the 100 watt amplifier and tuner are available, the KX3 and amp
will be in the 100 watt transceiver class, with the complete transceiver
in a size similar to other manufacturer's removable face plates.

I just finished an Elecraft booth at a local hamfest where my KX3 was
proudly displayed. I cannot tell you how many hams came up and asked
where the "rest of the transceiver" was. They were shocked when they
found that the KX3 was a complete transceiver in that small package.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/9/2012 9:00 PM, Al Gulseth wrote:

> Greetings Elecrafters,
>
> I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
> semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
> equipment as noted above.
>
> Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
> in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
> speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
> a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
> make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
> 5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
> prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
> an experiment/idea at this time
>
> One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
> to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
> T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
> the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.
>
> Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
> above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
> toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?
>
> As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
> link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?
>
> BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....
>

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Rich Ardolino

Re: Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

In reply to this post by Al Gulseth-2

Hello Al,

I'm not sure from your post if you are looking for a receiver only or a qrp transceiver.....if receiver only, look at the eham reviews of the Degen 1102 and/or it's cousin the Kaito 1102 (same radio, different color/branding). My review is on page two.....follow this link :

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4226?page=2

Regards,

Rich K2CPE
K2 #1102

----- Original Message -----
From: Al Gulseth <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:00:29 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Elecraft] Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

Greetings Elecrafters,

I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
equipment as noted above.

Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
an experiment/idea at this time

One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.

Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?

As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?

BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....

TNX/73, Al
______________________________________________________________
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
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Bill Tubbs, WK6A

Re: Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

I notice that the current version is the 1103. Think it's the same specs?

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 2:54 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Hello Al,
>
> I'm not sure from your post if you are looking for a receiver only or a qrp transceiver.....if receiver only, look at the eham reviews of the Degen 1102 and/or it's cousin the Kaito 1102 (same radio, different color/branding). My review is on page two.....follow this link :
>
> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4226?page=2
>
> Regards,
>
> Rich K2CPE
> K2 #1102
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Al Gulseth <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:00:29 -0000 (UTC)
> Subject: [Elecraft] Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR
>
> Greetings Elecrafters,
>
> I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
> semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
> equipment as noted above.
>
> Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
> in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
> speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
> a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
> make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
> 5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
> prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
> an experiment/idea at this time
>
> One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
> to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
> T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
> the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.
>
> Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
> above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
> toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?
>
> As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
> link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?
>
> BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....
>
> TNX/73, Al
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Rich Ardolino

Re: Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

Nope....the 1103 is a different radio.....

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Tubbs <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email], [hidden email]
Sent: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:42:19 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR

I notice that the current version is the 1103. Think it's the same specs?

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 10, 2012, at 2:54 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Hello Al,
>
> I'm not sure from your post if you are looking for a receiver only or a qrp transceiver.....if receiver only, look at the eham reviews of the Degen 1102 and/or it's cousin the Kaito 1102 (same radio, different color/branding). My review is on page two.....follow this link :
>
> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4226?page=2
>
> Regards,
>
> Rich K2CPE
> K2 #1102
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Al Gulseth
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:00:29 -0000 (UTC)
> Subject: [Elecraft] Suggestions/WTB: inexpensive portable HF RX/XCVR
>
> Greetings Elecrafters,
>
> I have an opportunity for some casual listening or maybe even some
> semi-"stealth" portable operation and am looking for suggestions/available
> equipment as noted above.
>
> Here are the criteria: 1) needs to be reasonably portable - i.e. able to fit
> in a small duffel-type bag along with lunch etc.; 2) enough audio to drive a
> speaker (preferably built in); 3) "decent" CW/SSB performance (in this case,
> a step up from my current cheapie RS SW RX - a BFO/product detector would
> make CW a _little_ easier to copy!!) 4) preferably multiband if XCVR;
> 5) "experienced"/"battle scarred" OK, actually preferred as the location is
> prone to be dusty/gritty, and I'd like to keep the investment low as this is
> an experiment/idea at this time
>
> One RX that I've seen mentioned for QRP use is the Sony 7600GR, and I'd like
> to hear from anyone with experience with it. I've also been intrigued by the
> T-Kit 1254, but it (along with the Index Labs in the XCVR category) are on
> the upper end of what I could fit into the bag size and weight wise.
>
> Any suggestions, or does anyone have a well-worn piece of gear fitting the
> above description that they'd like to find a new home for to free up funds
> toward a new K3/KX3/accessories?
>
> As a (related) side note, has anyone had any experience with using a chain
> link fence as an antenna, and if so, what's the best way to match/load it?
>
> BTW I will explain what I'm up to offline if anyone is interested....
>
> TNX/73, Al
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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