[Elecraft] KX1 Random Wire Antenna recommendations

[Leigh L. Klotz, Jr.]

I am using a 28' top radiator and a set of 33', 24', and 16' radials, 
one for each band.  With this set I can achieve a good match with the 
KXAT12 in any situation.  (Good RF performance in any situation is 
another question, still in progress..)

In use, I clip on one or more radials, and have left them at 1/4 wave so 
I can use them elevated, but KQ6XA recommends and K6ACJ has confirmed 
with an RF ammeter that shortening them about 10% for pedestrian 
operation is optimal (see the table in the hfpack yahoo group files 
section for exact recommendations).

Sometimes I swap things around and use 1/4 wave on the hot side and one 
of the other wires on the ground, for example when I am too lazy to put 
down 2 radials and just tie both to trees, making it an off-center fed 
low dipole.

It ought to be the case that two radials 180 degrees apart would be a 
lot better, but I haven't cut them yet, and I am not sure my waist pack 
can carry 3 more wires.

>  I have had some mixed results using Model 1296 BNC adapter using a 28'
>  Random wire with a 16' ground wire.  I would like to hear from some 
> other
>  KX1 operators and what works for them.
73,
WA5ZNU Leigh