[Elecraft] KX1 Tricks

[drew.neve at us.army.mil]

Greetings, 

I'm one of the lurkers who follow this list, but haven't had anything to contribute. I am currently 1/2 way through my one year deployment to Kuwait and put together a KX1 here in my billeting to try to make a DXpedition out of the rest of my time here. I have a big plastic tote to use as my footlocker and spread a towel on it to make a work surface. The kit went together fine: my challenges have been elsewhere. I've got plenty of wire with which to make an antenna, but the tents are only 12' at the peak, there are no trees. Vertical support is an obstacle. I found a PAC 12 vertical second-hand on one of the trader pages.  For a guy that enjoys stringing wire, a store-bought antenna is a bitter pill to swallow.  I do like the design, though.  I'm eager to transmit through it.
Reciprocal licensing is a challenge, too. The ministry only accepts the form filled in Arabic, and it has to be hand-carried. I am submitting the application tomorrow, so hopefully that will go smoothly. 
I am taking 2 weeks of leave soon. My wife and I will meet in Scotland. I am looking forward to operating there where I don't have the licensing hoops to jump through. 

For people looking for a wallet in which to carry your KX1: a "military" accessory company called Spec.-Ops. makes a Mini Cargo Pocket Organizer that fits the KX1 like a glove. It is a heavy-duty nylon that is very durable. You do have to take the paddle off the radio, though. The organizer is found at: http://www.specopsbrand.com/main.html 

73s


CPT Drew Neve
Battle Captain
S3 ASG-Kuwait
Eager to Assist