[Elecraft] KX-1 Antenna Recommendations

[Don Wilhelm]

My antenna for portable operation is a 44 ft. doublet antenna fed with
twisted pair teflon insulated #24 wire (the antenna flattop is the same
material).

I use it in conjunction with a telescoping pole, but a line over a tree
branch would work too - the pole is not 'tree dependent'.  I erect it in
what ever configuration lends itself to the site - I prefer to set it up as
an inverted vee, but if supports for the ends are lacking, I run one side of
the antenna up along the pole and lay the other half of the dipole out on
the ground - it works as a vertical with one radial that way.

With 35 feet of the twisted pair feedline it tunes readily on all bands 40
thru 10 - it has been used on 80 meters too, but the efficency is quite a
bit lower due to the less than 1/4 wave length.  I have not tried it
specifically with the KX1 tuner, but the K1 and K2 tuners handle it just
fine.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I have a question for the collective out there.  What is your
> favorite antenna to take to the field or backyard.  I won't be
> hiking deep into the woods, but would like to hear what you have
> found to be a good balance between ease of use and effectiveness
> as an antenna.
> I have used a W3EDP with good success, but an outing on the AT
> Trail with my KX-1 last Saturday shows that 80 plus feet of wire
> is a challenge to get into the trees.  I have heard many
> combinations of wire antenna lengths and counterpoises, but I
> would like some input on what your experiences have determined to
> be your favorite combination.  Obviously, the band(s) of choice
> and location of choice could go with the favorite antenna of choice.
> The featured rig of choice here is the KX-1, but I also have a K1
> and K2 that get out to play once in a while.
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts and insights.
> tnx es 73
> Tom, K4TJD
>