Friends,
Elecraft got back to me and are going to take care of my paddle. They
have made improvements. For one thing a blue locktite which can be undone
is now being used for the center posts. They have also improved the way
the finger pieces mate with the gap screws.
So I am happy about these new developments.
73 Doug EI2CN
-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Doug
Turnbull
Sent: 15 February 2017 22:05
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KX2 v KX3 for air travel and hotel operation
Dear OMs and YLs,
This is just to relate my experience and observations after using my
KX2 sn 1000 in Tenerife for the past week. This operation was just a side
event while travelling with my XYL - just a bit of fun. Previously a KX3
was used for such operations but for me the KX2 has advantages:
1) KX2 is smaller and lighter.
2) The battery charge is much faster taking about an hour maybe two rather
than up to sixteen hours.
3) The battery can be kept outside the KX2. I have a spare Li-Ion battery
from Elecraft. One battery was in the radio in case airport security
wanted me to turn it on - they did not. A second spare battery was tucked
neatly into the
KX2's larger carry case. Airport security did not question the second
battery.
4) Some people have complained about vulnerable speaker wires when opening
the KX2 but for me the KX2 is less vulnerable to damage than the KX3
ribbon cable. Taking the batteries in and out is easier with the
KX2 than the KX3.
For twenty QSOs the battery was only recharged once this took one hour.
The power level was 5 Watts with the display light turned off. The antenna
was an AlexLoop which I prefer to almost anything else for holiday style
portable operations when flying. It is a very unobtrusive antenna which
works far better than I ever expect. The Alexloop is light and packs into
a small case provided by the manufacturer. AlexLoop assembly is quick and
easy. The AlexLoop was mounted on a broom handle and tied to the hotel
room balcony just placing the antenna above the wall by about a foot. One
imagines the wall to be reinforced concrete. The QSOs were mostly around
Europe though one QSO was made with K1RM in Connecticut and the best DX was
with WA8RCN in Ohio.
I just about never bother with the QRP frequencies for such operations.
CQs are not made but stronger signals are answered. Often I wait till a
QSO finishes before seeing if there is an opportunity. Sometimes the
signals are too weak for more that a rubber stamp QSO but other times a rag
chew developes. I prefer the rag chew.
I am not sure how things would work on SSB as CW is my mode and has
great advantage over SSB when operating QRP into a one meter diameter
antenna.
The KX3 is a better radio than the KX2 and for me the KX3 receiver
with roofing filter does a better job. One losses 160M and 6M with the
KX2. Though TB is my band this is just not going to work out from a hotel
room balcony. It would be nice if the KX2 had a dimple on the tuning knob
but this is a small point. The KX2 is not a radio for the base station
but the KX3 can serve this roll admirably. The KX2 is a travel radio with
a great display which does all I need.
Now for my gripe. The KX2 paddle is nice and small. I find it
handy to have the paddle attached to the KX2 when operating portable and
especially if on a park bench. When adjusted this paddle works just fine.
It is not a Begali but the AlexLoop is not a Yagi. The trouble is that my
KX2 paddle kept going out of adjustment sometimes with a short between two
contacts and at other times with one of the two center posts coming loose.
I am not a paddle slapper and normally operate with a close spacing and
light touch. The KX2 paddle caused me repeated problems. I have written
the mother ship about this and will see if my paddle can be serviced.
Earlier this month, I did note someone else having similar problems.
Perhaps the Begali Adventurer paddle with KX2/KX3 mounting bracket is a
better if more expensive option. It is also at least twice as large but
would fit easily in the KX2 carry case. I am just not sure if my Begali
bracket has the same problem that the original KX3 paddle bracket had with
the KX2.
So this is my story. The KX2 is a lot of fun for CW QRP operations.
My KX3 will be kept but will not travel so much. If you are flying and
need an unobtrusive antenna consider the AlexLoop. This antenna has done
some amazing things for me in contests with a KX3.
73 Doug EI2CN
PS I have nothing but respect for you SOTA people. My back and knees just
do not allow me the luxury these days.
PPS Sorry about previous e-mail which ran away from me prematurely.
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