Elecraft KX1 ⚡ Full CW QSO ⚡QRP 2-Watts⚡18 wpm

Elecraft KX1 Full QSO
This was a fun QSO on 7.035.3 to Dave in South San Francisco. He is only about 20 miles west of me. But working someone very close to you can be a challenge. I was happy to be able to have my second QSO with Dave for this video.
Dave is working portable at the edge of the bay. You will see that he is very comfortable rag-chewing.
I have the KX1 stuck to my desk with LockTite Fun-Tak. Even so, you can see it move a bit as I key. The KXPD key requires much more force than I am comfortable with. I used it for this video, but in the future I will use an external key.
73, Jim
W6JIM
===========
Rig:
Elecraft KX1
Power-Out:
2W
Key:
Elecraft KXPD1 Paddle Kit
Power:
Bioenno 12V 6Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
Speaker:
Leadsound 3W mini-speaker, Amazon
Model Number - F10
Manufacturer - Leadsound
ASIN - B01HB18IZ4
Antenna:
Hustler 6BTV 6-Band HF Vertical Antenna
============
TimeStamps
00:00 INTRO
00:24 CQ
00:45 W6JIM RESPONDS
1:10 QRZ?
1:15 W6JIM RESPONDS
1:29 AI6QZ PROTOCOL-1
2:47 W6JIM PROTOCOL-1
4:27 AI6QZ PROTOCOL-2
7:15 W6JIM PROTOCOL-2
9:47 AI6QZ PROTOCOL-3
13:01 W6JIM ENDING
14:16 AI6QZ ENDING
15:19 W6JIM FINAL DITS
15:45 73

[@StanFerris]

Fun! Thanks Jim! (Still messes with my head how your key is set up 🤣). Great presentation!

[@Aimsport-video]

When I hold this video up to a mirror your paddles are “correct” but the text is all backwards. 😂 Great video. Thank you.

[@W6JIM]

Thank you Aimsport! Maybe you could add another mirror to the equation? 😀

[@davidg5308]

Nice "cross bay" QSO! I picked up a KX1 last year and need to get it back on the air. Made a little 20-30-40 linked dipole and will get that out in a few weeks - Great little radio!

[@W6JIM]

Thank you David. Yes it is a great, compact, package, all-in-one. My favorite grab-and-go rig. When you are ready let's try a KX1 to KX1 QSO 🙂

[@johnsnyder7021]

Very helpful. Thanks de AC5JS.

[@W6JIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@qrpontheair508]

elecraft ....really nice radio...tks for share..73

[@W6JIM]

Thank you for watching. Working my way up tp my K2 soon!

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Jim, this amazing! Was looking for something like this for quite some time - I am learning morse code and I find this way of communication much more intersting than voice, but practice is lacking. I can send, but I am easily loosing any sense of what I receive. Your videos are just great to help follow the qso. Thanks a lot and I hope you will continue! 73 de R2ARM!

[@W6JIM]

Great to hear! You are very welcome.

[@alexeizhiltsov6797]

Jim, speaking honestly, do you think that a person 55 years old can learn morse code? Sometimes I start wondering whether it is a bit late. The paradox is that I started to want to learn it only now, previously being only SSB fan. Letters, numbers, service signs - all I know and distinguish at 20 wpm. But once it becomes a sentence sent, I quickly lose track.

[@W6JIM]

@@alexeizhiltsov6797 It sounds like you already copy very well! Head copy will come with practice. Send me an email and we can talk in detail. I'm gud on QRZ.

[@Redhawk03a]

Moraga here! W6DAC learning Morse myself. 73

[@W6JIM]

Thank you David, great to see someone from next door! Great QRZ page. I am retired USAF. Hope to work you are do a pota with you one day. Mt Diablo is calling!

[@brianve7jyd943]

Mornin Sir - that was real helpful fer a fella thats been out of the hobby for 40 years -- i see you post it as 18wpm -- i had to work hard to decode your but Dave;s i cud follow pretty good - was his 18 as well - jus tryin to figure out when ill hit the air again - cold feet and all - thanks again and i will be following you 73 VE7JYD

[@W6JIM]

I think we were both near 18 wpm. Welcome back into the Hobby! I recommend the Long Island CW Club to refresh your CW memory :-)

[@donaldshields2483]

Very nice looking little rig seem to be very good he was taken to the beach where if you wanted to I look at it and see what it says God bless

[@W6JIM]

Thanks 👍

[@EI6EU]

Thanks for the KX1 video Jim. I have a KX1 too and really enjoy each QSO with it. Could you please tell me the make/model number of that little plug-in loudspeaker? Tks de G0KPE

[@W6JIM]

I added more speaker info in the description. Yes, I enjoy the KX1 but I prefer to use an external key. What type of key do you use with your KX1?

[@EI6EU]

Thank you for the info on your Leadsound mini-speaker Jim. I do have an external paddle for my KX1. It is an inexpensive Chinese unit that I bought on eBay. It is a QU-2020A. I like it. I do still use the Elecraft angled paddle too, with very small contact spacing gaps. Have a read of their instruction sheet about using a sharp needle to prise up the middle of the silver wire contacts a tiny but useful amount. The result is smoother, lighter CW and the KX1 remains stable on the table :-) Best 72 G0KPE Carl

[@W6JIM]

@@EI6EU Thank you for that info. I will look into the "sharp Needle" mod.

[@icannento]

HL Jim 73 de YE8RAF

[@W6JIM]

Hello Ican, thank you for visiting 🙂 73, Jim W6JIM

[@kao354]

Great video! Thank you for subtitles for the whole QSO! 73 de Alex, w5kao/rv3dfl.

[@W6JIM]

Thank you. I hope the subtitles help others to see how the QSO flows.