[Elecraft] KX1 Antenna Issues

[Rich Patrick AE7RW]

To the KX1-ers....
 
The Adventure Radio Society's Spartan Sprint, last Monday evening, was my "maiden voyage" for my little KX1.  We went to the park, set up on a picnic table overlooking Puget Sound, and shot my 29 foot wire antenna straight up into a big tree.  The counterpoise wire was straight on the ground. This is pretty much like the antenna described in the KX1 manual.
 
When working 20 M... each "CQ SS" I answered... I was received on the first or second call.  When switching to 40 M... I was hardly answered- Not heard, it seemed like.  Making contacts on 40 M was like pulling teeth.
 
I was receiving lots of stations on 40, just not "getting out" is seems.  I was able to make two contacts with stations in CA during the last 20 minutes of the sprint.  So... being frustrated... On a whim.... I let the wire down from its vertical position in the tree and placed it on the ground.  Now I sort of have a dipole... laying on the ground... with the KX1 in the middle on the picnic table.  I can still hear lots stations on 40 M about the same as when the wire was in the air.  I answered the two CA hams CQ SS [mentioned above]  with my YL's call sign [had her permission] and I was heard.
 
My power output on 40 M was 2.9 Watts, and the KX antenna tuner says SWR of 1.1.  Does this mean that my vertical wire in the tree is "just as good as a wire on the ground"? [which sounds pretty bad].... or was I having an unlucky day?.... my CW skills are poor?   I remember reading somewheres that a vertical antenna without any radials will "load up" and will show good SWR.... but it's like using a dummy load.  Maybe I need more radials.  I know that my facts listed above are not very scientific... but I am interested in your opinions.  Wha da ya think?
 
TU        de         Rich         AE7RW        559 WA 3W    KX1 #422


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