[Elecraft] How to use the KX1/PM

[W0rw at aol.com]

How to operate Pedestrian Mobile with the KX1...
The KX1 is a great portable rig but it is also a great pedestrian mobile rig.
You can go to new heights, evade local power line noises and find hot spots 
near
flag poles and in baseball diamonds.
Here is how to do it...
Step by Step, (peripatetically speaking).
Step #
1. Get your KX1 on the air from your base and learn how to use all the 
controls.
You are going to have to increase the LED display brightness as soon as you 
get out in the sun. (Hit MENU, rotate Dial to 'Led', Push MENU for 1 second, 
Push RIT to raise LED brightness to 6). It is a good idea to cary a small 
instruction cheat sheet with you. If you see P=0 on your display you won't be having 
many QSO's.

2. Get a Banana jack to BNC converter for the KX1 antenna connector.

3. Get a 2 foot paint stirring stick (free from Home D.)

4. Attach an 8 foot whip (or longer) to the stick with duct tape.

5. Attach a 3 foot piece of insulated wire from the base of the whip to the 
KX1 hot banana jack (do not use ANY coax for this run).

6. Attach a 13 foot piece of insulated wire to the black terminal of the 
banana jack,
(this is your counterpoise or drag wire).

7. Put the paint stir stick in your back pocket (low 'Z' part of your body).
Attach the whip to the upper part of your body by using a short strap around 
your neck and arm to hold the upper part of the whip.
(You could use one of your old shoulder holsters).
i am in cold country so i almost always just use my North Face down vest.
The whip goes through the arm hole in the vest and rests in my rear pocket.

8. Turn the KX1 on, install ear buds, walk 15 feet into a clear space 
(letting the drag wire layout behind you), Set the KX1 for 14060+/- (or your favorite 
tune up frequency), Push the TUNE buttons.
You should get 3W and <1.5 SWR.
Start walking...Call CQ xxx/pm
i have "CQ CQ de w0rw/pm" in memory so i don't have to do anything but hit 
'PLY 1'.

9. You can lessen your antenna directivity loss by walking away from the 
station you are  communicating with. The single drag wire makes the whip 
directional. You can get a 3 dB boost from your local flag pole or street light by 
using it as a reflector.

10. Operation on 30 and 40 meters will be greatly aided by adding a top hat 
to the whip. i use 4 of those little underground utilities flag markers (also 
available at Home D.) You can see my top hat in the 'photos' section of the 
HFPack2 Yahoogroup
in the folder 'w0rw'. Watch out for those top hat eating trees.

11. i hold the KX1 in my left hand with my left thumb near the paddle and 
send with my right hand. i added an additional rubber foot under the "L" in 
Elecraft for a finger grip.

12. i carry an external battery pack in my pocket for long hikes.

13. i have a small log that attaches to my cuff, like an NFL Quarterback.

14. Make sure the 2 bottom case screws are tight and keep the paddle thumb 
screw tight. If they get loose add lock washers.

Hope to see you on the trail....
You can see a picture of my KX1/pm on the Adventure Radio Society web site at
http://www.arsqrp.com/ars/pages/back_issues/2005_text/1205_text/W0RW.html
or read about my KX1 pedestrian mobile contact with Latvia at
http://www.eham.net/articles/9262

Paul  w0rw at aol.com