POTA Activation with the Elecraft KX1, KX2, and an antenna that was too short

Click here to read full details about this activation, including equipment links, at QRPer.com:
qrper.com/2021/01/pota-field-...
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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@randalltom9750]

Thomas, the one radio I wish I had! That KX1 is my Holy Grail! I blew the chance to buy one on eBay about two years ago… If I had to pair down to just two radios, it’d be my KX2, and my QCX Mini 20m… but the KX1 is my quest now…

[@randalltom9750]

Thomas, This retro’s back to where you were relatively new to KZbin… I’ve watched with interest your field craft develop. (I’ve learned from your mistakes!). And yes, “Poor Hazel!” Take care of you canine, as you would your elecraft! 72 de W7UDT

[@petemillis4666]

Fantastic video Tom. I'm using a Lab599 TX500 but keep thinking about taking my KX1 out again, and watching this is motivating me to do it. Shame it's chucking down with rain at the moment! 73 de M3KXZ

[@johnnorth9355]

I don't know why I watch these as I don't do morse but they are fascinating !

[@Brighamdoc]

Thanks - fun to watch you work

[@daveN2MXX]

You do such a great job with these videos...thank you!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much--it's purely my pleasure!

[@n97223]

Tom...Thank you for yor videos! I also appreciate the candid nature of these, live on the spot is super enjoyable and allows the rest of us to see what happens good or bad. Your videos have opened my eyes to an other whole aspect of Amatuer Radio, something I am gearing up for now . I want to give the POTA and SOTA activies a try and I am learning alot from your videos! I just recently purchased a used KX3, some LiFePo4 bateries and portable antennas. I can't wait to try this out! Thanks agian for sharing your experience! 73 N1ONE

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Bill. That means a lot to me. Part of me wants to edit out the mishaps and dead air--of course, it doesn't always paint me in the best light--but then again, none of us are perfect and part of the fun of going into the field is operating with a clean slate each time. In the shack, we know what to expect from our antennas and radios, but in the field there are so many more variables and I love that aspect of it. You will *love* the KX3. It's a rock-solid field and shack radio. Well played! 73, Thomas K4SWL

[@gravestonemyth]

Regarding the “DE” or “Not DE”, I prefer to hear it. It’s a trigger for me to pay more attention to what follows.

[@tommcmichael8679]

Thanks again, for another great vid! Yep, I have the Elecraft antenna and i think the 40 m ground it came with was 33 feet. Keep up the good work. We need you!!

[@jeffg7358]

Just found your channel. Great video I definitely want to get one of these kx transceivers for pota.

[@larrytaylor7753]

I use that same arbor throw and really like it. I use that same 2-handed throw.

[@gingerunit]

Don't ever change your operating practice both radio and KZbin. Refreshing to have natural presentation. Brave dad borrowing from daughter's bedroom

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much and, yes, I am a brave dad! :)

[@Ron_C]

Stumbled onto your channel today. Love the "real" videos. Very inspiring, I've been struggling with CW off and on for about a year. I was getting...somewhat confident, but then I drifted away from radio for a bit...it's like starting over. I have a few rigs that are CW only and really need to get out there! 73, de K4SFC

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ron, thanks for your comments here and on QRPer. In your case, I would HIGHLY recommend the free CW trainer called Morse Runner. I wrote an article about it last year: swling.com/blog/tag/morse-runner/ It built my confidence and CW chops up enough to make that first activation. Give it a go and you'll be putting those CW only rigs to work while you tour the country on your bikes! 73, Thomas K4SWL

[@nevellgreenough404]

Thanks for showing your antenna setup process. Please do more of these! (IC-705 in waiting!) --N2GX

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You'll love the IC-705!

[@davebruce3754]

Great job, enjoyed you video. Any of the little errors you make are the same ones we have all made at one time or another. Great job, hope to see you on the air. Cheers from Ontario

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks 👍

[@potatoslim2332]

"Just know that this is a real life video with no edits" Me: "Just how I like these" : )

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@harriflen8652]

Nice with "no pro" content! Good work!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Glad you liked it!

[@stacksmasher]

Who would have thought 200 years ago CW would still be in use in 2021!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I know, right? :)

[@davequick3373]

41’ is a sweet spot for the radiator.

[@charlesmarlett6856]

Wonderful video. 73, Chuck WB9ZDS.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Many thanks!

[@alanb76]

Great to see the KX1 out. Fingerless gloves might help. de w6akb

[@MrCowboybud]

Love the KX1!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Me too! It's a gem!

[@qrptedmac]

Man Utah. That’s a hop.

[@veyburani]

Hello dr om, I like to look at your cw qso because you can at least read it, keep it up, my best 73 de DL1VBO

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@qrptedmac]

I’m always bummed when these end.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Sadly, there are more videos on the way. :)

[@gregorysmith3097]

I like your no-edit videos. Would you happen to have the brand of that little speaker? It's not listed on the QRPer page.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you! So that is a GoalZero speaker, but I don't think they make them any longer. That speaker is probably 8 years old or so.

[@prh8068]

I have recently been enjoying several of you videos. I have a KX1 that I use for portable ops and it has been a nice little rig and was fun to build. I have usually used a longer radiator than what you did here. My display doesn't dance around, flashing different information, like yours does. Any idea on what might be causing that? N8XMS

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The KX! is a fun little radio! So I think the display dancing you're seeing it the power meter as I send CW. That and it's interacting with the refresh rate of the video, making it look much more jumpy and flickery than in real life. :) Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@davidg5308]

Loving the videos!!! Last year, I passed up a KX1 and bought a HB1B and have not been entirely happy. Other than a little more RX bandwidth, you think the KX1 would still be better? I have one of the older HB1B's - 20/30/40/80. Great receiver, but not the best Xmitter - need to analyze output but also may find a KX1. Thoughts?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm such a huge fan of the KX1. I've operated an HB1B before, but just didn't like it. The KX1 feels more all-in-one too. If you ever find a KX1 used for a decent price, buy it and give it a go. If you don't like it, you can sell it later and you might not lose a penny. I owned the KX1 for 8-9 years, sold it (to get a KX2) for the same price I bought it. Last year, I bought another one. I always fee like with Elecraft there are more parts floating around out there, too.

[@davidg5308]

@@ThomasK4SWL Thx - I did manage to find one yesterday from a local club member with 20/30/40 for a good price so I’m going to grab it and see how it works. No 80 module but maybe I can add later if I am brave.

[@pathung17]

Thanks, Thomas, for a great video on random-wire use. From a newbie (myself), if the radiator were 32' long, how long should the counterpoise be? Also, I read on Hamuniverse that 32' is in fact a length to avoid, as it's a multiple of certain band's half-wave length - what is your take on that? Tnx 73. BTW, now I really want a KX2!! de W6AJR

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's true that you must avoid those half wave lengths and multiples of them. I know 33' is a culprit. In terms of a counterpoise, if it's on the ground, the length matters a lot less. Maybe 25 feet. If it's elevated, then it matters more. I would even consider making a radiator and counterpoise the same length if the counterpoise is elevated. I would say to do what I need to do: start with 32' and 32' then start trimming if you have difficultly. (And, yes, the KX2 is a gem of a radio!) Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@w4mkh]

How far back do you stand from the tree or the branch you have chosen? In other words, are you throwing the weight pretty much straight up over your head or off at a 45 degree angle etc.?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It really depends on the site. If I'm under a really thick canopy and deploying a vertical wire, then I just shoot the line straight up, or nearly. If I have room and am deploying an EFHW or similar, then I stand back at an angle that I'd like the radiator to run and shoot my line from there.

[@JohnVK5JAK]

What’s that nifty pouch on the clip board holding your notebook and pen?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

This guy right here: amzn.to/2Y6ZqVv It's even made in the USA!

[@JohnVK5JAK]

@@ThomasK4SWL Thanx Muchly. I'm just starting out studying for my licence (in South Australia) and am subscribing to several channels, such as yours. I like the long winded 'warts and all' approach of your content.

[@NitinVarmaManthena]

Hi Can you please share the link to the fuse power strip?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ham-radio-workbench-podcast/HRWB101/15822288?s=N4IgTCBcDaIBYEMC2ACATggJgSwPYgF0BfIA

[@MikeWest_W]

When you say “higher bands” do you mean higher frequency or longer wavelength?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Higher frequencies: 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters.

[@gravestonemyth]

I suspect that antenna would tune up with a 9:1 un un.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, I agree!

[@jamesyounce2231]

KN7D

[@philipwells2793]

Why wouldn't you use a UNUN? I would have thought you would need one.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That certainly wouldn't hurt, but it's just not needed. Elecraft actually designed all of their KX series radio ATUs so they could load wires this way.

[@philipwells2793]

Thank you for the reply. I find that surprising and interesting. BTW I am really enjoying your channel. I can vicariously enjoy being out in the fresh air whilst in the warmth with a cup of coffee :)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@philipwells2793 then while I'm out in the fresh air, I'll vicariously enjoy your cup of coffee!

[@philipwells2793]

@@ThomasK4SWL you are very welcome!

[@bobwhitewo3b]

You need to buy Hazel a coat. 73 WO3B

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I do! :)