USING THE ELECRAFT KX2 TRANSCEIVER NAKED!

How much fun can you get with the KX2, without buying accessories? Peter G3OJV, describes how a "Bare Bones" KX2 can offer you an awful lot.
• Ham Radio END FED Dual...
• Low Cost EFHW Antenna ...

[@toddbu-WK7L]

Good on you, Peter, for recommending EFHW antennas, external battery power, and avoiding built-in ATUs. Lots of people love all-in-one setups, but when one component fails then you’re stuck. Antenna tuners steal power. One trick for you..: if your radio has a VSWR meter and the resonance changes on your EFHW antenna, just transmit a tone on the frequency that you want you use. Next read your VSWR. Finally, tune down the band. If your VSWR goes down then shorten the antenna. If it goes up then lengthen it. No need for an antenna analyzer.

[@myballwilson]

Never apologize for sharing your considerable experience on KZbin. Everybody has an opinion and there are no exact answers in ham radio. You have a very informative program that I rely on. I have several of the antennas you suggested. Keep up the good work and ignore outspoken critics.

[@watersstanton]

I appreciate that! 73 Peter

[@mikes6844]

Thanks for posting, you don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles. My KX3 does have an ATU, it’s one of the best, but like you I use resonate aerials. I’m normally out all day /p and a 7 Ah LiPO battery gives me plenty in reserve. Building my portable station took a few years - wasted money along the way but I’m pretty settled on what I use. Get out there and enjoy.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Mike. 73 Peter

[@va3ks]

Excellent video. I just ordered a KX2 for POTA/SOTA and decided to skip all the options to keep it as light as possible.

[@watersstanton]

Good choice! 73 Peter

[@smartin6888]

Peter, While I’ve been hoping to see more of you on your videos, I am glad it was the KX2 that was naked today! :)

[@joeblow8593]

I might go this way too, however I see the KX2 is currently back ordered 4- 6 weeks. I think I'll wait when they could start shipping again. Cheers from the U.S.

[@MrBracey1970]

brilliant! currently saving up for a very lightweight sota rig,this has given me alot to think about,thankyou!

[@watersstanton]

Glad I could help!

[@norrinradd8952]

I'm chuckling at the single thumbs down, obviously from a person that clicked on the video to see naked OM. Great video PW. Love the commentary.

[@watersstanton]

Ha Ha. 73 Peter

[@larry7463]

I like the music! And the aircraft pictures on the wall too!

[@watersstanton]

Manu thanks

[@carolannefisher1516]

Excellent ideas, Peter. I’ve been waiting since mid-May for my K2. Unfortunately Elecraft is not immune to the global shortage of chips. Sigh. So well worth the wait though. And, I am in Colorado, which means it should be sunny and warm at least till September (although at 9000’, where I live, there is sure to be snow by October). I’m looking forward to activating some parks, especially the one literally in my backyard, Roosevelt National Forest. Thank you for all your wonderful vids. You keep me keeping on…

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you. Thanks for your support. 73 Peter

[@BobDarlington]

How long did it take to get the radio? I ordered mine a month ago and they said about 6 more weeks. It's not 4-6 now. It's more like 10.

[@carolannefisher1516]

@@BobDarlington About 2 months I think. They contacted me as soon as my KX2 was ready to be built. So sorry you have to wait so long, but I promise it will be well worth the wait!

[@Tommyr]

I love my KX2! I did get the tuner with mine, it will tune just about anything. Great little radio!

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Tommy. 73 Peter

[@thuff3207]

Very nice and I did enjoy your music. Thank you and yes the KX2 is a great radio and the tuner in mine is quote helpful when you don’t have a resonant antenna.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 73 Peter

[@jeffpriddin9711]

YOU DO A GREAT JOB ON RUNNING THIS CHANEL I ALWAYS FIND IT ENTERTAINING

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Jeff. Take care. 73 Peter .

[@dennispeake1877]

g'day mate, just wondering what would be the cost of the KX2 radio? All sounds good does it comes with a mike and other parts?

[@w6dfmp242]

The video is great and helpful! If you don’t mind a question though. How do you use the internal swr meter? Is it just a matter of holding the tune button to get a reading. I’ve been using an efhw that worked great with the tuner at first but now won’t tune up at all, not sure if I just need to clear the memory or should bypass it.

[@watersstanton]

You need a steady output signal. Reduce power to 5-10W and select AM or FM. When you oress transmit you will get a steady signal and you can then read the VSWR. 73 Peter

[@w6dfmp242]

@@watersstanton thank you, I’ve only tried on ssb.

[@DL1GKC]

I newer want to go out to my SOTA trips without the KX2. Well, maybe the KX1 if the weight counts. I have replaced the original MH3 mic with a small Retevis headset mic which has the size of a small finger and fits into a pocket. Gives great audio reports. For CW, I use the Palm-Radio Pico paddle.The whole station (KX2, paddle) fits onto a board including smart phone and Bluetooth keyboard for logging. 73 de Chris, DL1GKC

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you and your method of operation. Take care.73. Peter

[@m1hax]

some good wisdom in this vid

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 73 Peter

[@stevewheatstone1856]

Thanks Peter for the video. I'm waiting for your elecraft delivery eagerly this week. I have gone for the bare kx2. Probably will get the tuner at least, when I can afford it. Do you have any low cost suggestions for a hand 🎤 mic? Cheers Steve MW0SAW

[@watersstanton]

Good choice! We are waiting for the delivery. Covid and the west coast fires have been a real problem. 73 Peter

[@stevewheatstone1856]

@@watersstanton thanks Peter, did you have any suggestions for a cheap hand mic for the kx2? Elecraft one is quite pricey.

[@drjtgill]

I enjoy your reports-and I also enjoy your aircraft photos! Are/were you a pilot?

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Jack. 73 Peter

[@davequick3373]

Love mine! Great receiver!

[@watersstanton]

Good to hear!

[@alainzen7262]

Yes I have selled mine and I regret . Too late

[@1337flite]

Thank you.

[@RESISTAGE]

I couldn't figure out who's gonna be naked 😂 you at the transceiver or transceiver

[@Lastaii]

Speaking of the the KXAT2 tuner, any idea when it'll be in stock?

[@watersstanton]

Awaiting stock - hopefully this month. Sales on 01702 206835 will update you.

[@OmarOmar-fl9vd]

Tnx for this nice video.

[@watersstanton]

Most welcome

[@tonyrowland9216]

how about using the regular phonic alphabet? Never heard the one you just used.

[@eddy2561]

Nope!! Licensed in 1965, I won't own a rig anymore without built-in tuner, especially a tuner that works so well....k6sdw

[@aw7425]

I have a tuner in mine. It works great

[@sailaway2205]

Peter, I have to tell you that I am a bit disappointed in you. I was surprised to hear you use a non standard phonetic alphabet. Here we go… I only have been licensed since February and my initial exposure HAM operators was somewhat confusing. I was communicating with all these operators, people that took the time to learn and graduate in the somewhat complex HAM science and discipline. But somehow, it seams to me that most HAMs do not really care to use the proper and condoned phonetic alphabet. I am an aviation professional and I would never consider deviating from the International Phonetic Alphabet. Perhaps you could do a short video on that. That would be great. KO4NOX

[@watersstanton]

Ah well …….. thanks for watching. 73 Peter

[@dawoodjr]

The difference is due to the “cost of failure” (to receive the correct characters on the first transmission). [I think you could fill in the rest of this explanation as well or better than I could.]