I have had similar issues with using a random wire antenna and the KX-1. The random wire suggested in the antenna tuner manual works for receive, but no one hears me. It is very frustrating to be listening to S-9+ CQs where it is obvious that the sending station hasn't a clue I'm around.
I have worked successfully with an MP-1 Superantenna, which can be connected to balcony railings, but I find that it works best if I use an antenna analyzer to pre-tune the antenna. I also use the KX-1 mostly for travel, so a good "hotel" arrangement would be very useful. By the way, I use the Micro908 Antenna Analyzer kit from AMQRP. Since it also works as an audio DSP filter (same DSP unit as the K2), I can use it for audio dsp with the KX-1 once I have adjusted the antenna. It works very nicely to reduce the ambient noise levels and gives you lots of filter choices. Howard Ashcraft W1WF -----Original Message----- From: Sergej Kindsvater DF6MU [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 4:54 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] kx1 hotel qrv best antenna suggestion hey KX1 users out there: what would be the ultimate hotel room antenna (that can be accomodated in laptop bag)? maybe a loop of some kind? I am always flabbergasted by the reports from kx1 users as to what everything they are able to achieve when using kx1 with a random wire, working from a park bench or similar... I have completed my kx1 something like a half a year ago and being a frequent traveller I am since taking it with me on every business trip. Till today not a single qso with a random wire out of a hotel room. I am currently in Yugoslavia. This time an old hotel, no beton walls, no BPL, fourth floor (Hotel Moskva in Belgrade), 10 meter long wire out of the window facing the Balkanska Ulic, two same length wires serve counterpose in the room- and my first qso with this setup, wkd UR5IF, qrb abt 1500 kms, not bad! Mike himslef has been running inly 5W into a LW. One other thing: when I am usisng an indoor antenna and a switching power supply, that worked well for FT817, I am getting three S units more noise, ferrite rings won't help. Thought maybe I should use those 12v 3300 mAh NiMh Racing battery packs people use for the plane models. Any opinion? Any airport security experience? many thanks Sergej DF6MU PS KX1 is good thing to brag about: recently in Tel Aviv I happened to have a breakfast at a hotel beside two hams from Ohio also on business there, heard them talking, engaged in a conversation and impressed them while having produced my Kx1 in a Pelicase 1060 out of my laptop bag right there! _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
