[Elecraft] an Elecraft Tale

[eric norris]

I know this list is for technical stuff, but I have to share this story.  

I rode my bicycle to a local park today, taking my KX1 into the field for the first time.  I threw a wire up into a tree about 20 ft and laid out a single 16 ft radial.  The ATU tuned it up to 1:1 SWR.  I looked around and heard KE7LKW booming in abt 7.041.  I called him, he came right back.  I thought he was a local.  But he was in White Salmon, WA, and running a K2 at 5w!  I couldn't believe it!  I'm in Santa Clara, CA.  He QRP'ed down to 1w, I was using an 8-cell AA pack, running about 3.7W.  We had a nice chat, I copied him through all the QSB and QRM.  When it was over, I packed up the KX1 into my little bike bag and rolled off.

This was as exciting as my first QSOs 36 years ago!  Unbelievable.  Thank you Elecraft!

Eric WD6DBM

P.S.  I still love my K3...and K2!