[Elecraft] ARS Sprinting with the KX1

[Rod N0RC]

Folks,

I had the good fortune to build a KX1 for another individual.
Had the even better fortune when I was permitted to use it in
the DEC ARS Sprint. I managed 18 QSOs and 13 SPCs. I worked only
40m using my attic dipole. The KX1 was powered by a set of
Energizer Lithium batteries and was putting out about 1.5W.

This particular KX1 was fully equipped, 30m module, KXAT1 ANT
tuner and KXPD1 paddle. With the batteries and a set of Kenwood
HS-6 headphones, the weight of this set up was just 1 pound!!

Given my poor antenna system I was not expecting much from 1.5W,
but conditions were decent and the other OPS had good ears. :-)

I found the passband a little wide even, with the BW control set
to the midband (or slightly less) position, but for a casual
event like the ARS Sprint this was not a problem. There was
enough selectivity to pick out stations, strong and weak, across
the band.

For most of the contest (80% or so of the 2 hours) I called CQ,
and used the RIT function to scan +/- of my TX Freq. The KX1
announces RIT with a small flashing LED decimal point, this
takes a little getting used to. I'm spoiled by rigs like the K2
or my 746pro that displays both frequencies in various ways when
RIT is on. At one point I QSYed, or so I thought, but with RIT
on, I only changed the RX freq. So I'm not sure how far apart my
TX/RX freq. pair was before I realized the error, might have
missed a QSO or two. Again this is a minor point, I had less
than two hours of "cockpit" time at this point.

Most surprising was the BATT life. I started the sprint with
9-10 volts showing on the display. At the end of the two hours
the 6 AA BATTs read 8.7 volts in RX. At no time during the
event, during XMT, did the voltage drop below 8.1 Vdc. This is
significant, recall I was calling CQ, frequently, most of the
time. These Lithium batteries are the way to go when longevity
is an issue. More over they are extremely light weight. That
said, I do wish the KX1 could hold 8 BATTS. With Lithium's the
supply would be 12 Volts, and from my tests, 3+ watts of output
power would be possible. 8 AA Batts would also make NiMH batts a
bit more practical. 8 NiMH batts would provide 9+ Vdc, and be
rechargeable. I tried 6 NiMH batts in the KX1 and got ~1W output
on all three bands. Marginal for compromise antennas.

Building the KX1 was easy, the instructions were clear, and
detailed. Even the most novice builder should be able to
complete the KX1 with little difficulty.

The KX1 is a fun rig to build and use--if you need/want a light
weight multi-bander to fit into your operating activities, be
sure you check it out. As for me, this KX1 is off to it's proper
owner tomorrow. You see the ARS Sprint was the "final
inspection/test" for this unit--it passed FB with flying colors.

73, Rod N0RC
**Happy Holidays**