[Elecraft] KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

[Michael Babineau]

eric norris <gliderboy1955 at yahoo.com> wrote : 
>  I am wondering what the experiences of the group are in operating from a wet 
> environment--say, in a kayak, or just QRP portable when it is drizzling and you 
> can't be in a shelter or tent? 

Eric .. I have had some success using an extra-large resealable plastic freezer bag around my KX1. 
You can snip off a small bit of the plastic at each back corner to route feedline, headphone
and power cables. The rig just sits in the bag and you insert your hand in to access the controls.
I have done this a few times while operating Pedestrian Mobile when it was snowing.  It is certainly
not waterproof but it does help to keep moisture from getting into the rig. 

The big difficulty is manipulating the tuning knob.  I am not a big fan of tuning via buttons but this is 
one situation where KD1JV's interface on the ATS -series and the Hendricks PFR-3 actually comes in 
handy as these rigs can almost be sealed up in a freezer bag and operated through the bag. 

I have a lot of portable rigs (including a K1, a Sierra and an ATS-3A) but I always seem to take the KX1 
on portable outings because it is hard to beat the combination of features (including the built-in paddle and tuner)
for the size and weight. 

Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB