Note that the KX1 is not a 5-watt rig. The specifications say 3-4 watts output with an external 12V supply and 1.5-2W when running from a fresh internal battery pack delivering 9V.
Of course, the difference between 4 and 5 watts is only 20% - just about the typical error in good RF wattmeters including the "professional" meters used to measure transmitter output. So it's not surprising that some measurements might suggest 5 watts, even when used with a good dummy load. On the other hand, don't be dismayed with a lower reading. At those power levels a quite good power meter may be assembled using a diode to rectify the RF across a dummy load and measure the d-c with a well-calibrated DMM. A little Ohm's law calculation will yield the RF power. The Elecraft DL1 is a great example of such a dummy load/rectifier combo. I have had a great many QSO's over the years, including occasional DX, running 1 to 2 watts with my homebrew rigs, a Heathkit HW-8 and then the KX1, into a variety of antennas. Some were random wires strung up where convenient and, when I had the space and time, a doublet up in the clear. 73, Ron AC7AC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
