http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Is-it-my-KX3-antenna-or-is-it-lousy-band-condx-tp7633243p7633245.html
The band has been really crappy lately. Keep tuning around and listening.
> Okay I am reaching our to the Elecraft enthusiasts here for some feedback
> if anyone cares to chime in.
> I am just getting back on the air after years away from the hobby, so I am
> not that familiar with band conditions in general. It looks like the
> sunspot cycle is heading for the cellar (if it isn't already there).
>
> Recently bought a KX3 and a Buddistick vertical (like, 2 weeks ago). Love
> the KX3 it is a great radio... however... so far my efforts to hear much of
> anything, much less make a contact with someone, has been frustrating to
> say the least. I live in an apartment and am surrounded by power lines for
> one thing. The background noise level on 40 is pretty bad varies but is
> s7-9 mostly. I took my setup to a nearby park and the bands were
> definitely quieter. So the local manmade noise level is an issue (and one
> reason I chose the KX3 was the hope that its rcvr and filtering could help
> with that.)
>
> Have yet to make a single contact, so I am just wondering if I just
> happened to choose a really lousy period of solar conditions for HF? Or is
> the base loaded vertical a joke?
>
> I would love to be able to find another ham even close by just to try and
> get some sort of an HF QSO even if it is with someone down the block.
> ...I can tune down to the AM broadcast band and was able to hear some local
> AM stations. :)
>
> Mike AB7RU
>
> (On a side note the tuner in the KX3 is great!. That thing was able to get
> a match for 80 meters on the Buddistick which was showing something like
> 25:1 swr. The KX3 tuner clicked and rattled for a while and found a match
> to <2:1. Not sure how much actual RF is going out, probably not much... but
> I was amazed it could tune to that high an SWR.)
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