[Elecraft] KX1 K1 Operating in Wet Environment

[Phil Hystad]

I operate my KX1 in a wet environment -- Kirkland WA is wet 9 months out of the year!  Actually, I had my longest QRP contact yesterday on 40 meters.  About 1050 miles from Kirkland to Ramona, California.  Not bad for about 3 watts or so.

I just finished my KX1 about a month ago but work schedules and travel have limited my daytime access for good 40 meter QRP.  It is dark by 4:30 PM now and so the band is dropping away fast by the time I get home from work.  But, having a few days off lately helps.

After the grandkids leave in a few days, I will start working on my 80/30 meter option for the KX1 and maybe try some late night 80 meter DX on 3 watts.

73, phil, K7PEH
KX1 and K3 owner


On Dec 25, 2010, at 9:51 AM, Sante - IK0HBN wrote:

> Hi Eric,
> as an avid sea kayaker, during my summer holidays I use frequently my 
> KX1, but I never tried it when paddling at sea. It's almost quite 
> difficult to manage a full loaded kayak with all the stuffs needed 
> for a couples of weeks than adding even the task of using a radio.
> My experience bring me to use radio when landing at evening and I am 
> not very confortable with the idea my radio could come in contact 
> with sea water, so I use it always away enough from water, let's see 
> 10 meters, so to have just the space of getting radials into the 
> water. Fun is always guaranteed with KX1!! Of course special cards to 
> whom had the patience of hearring my tiny signals.
> Ciao
> Sante
> 
> 
> At 02.26 23/12/2010, you wrote:
>> Dear Gang:
>> 
>> 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?  I have finally figured out how to mount an
>> antenna into my inflatable kayak (I think--as yet untried), and I'm 
>> hoping for
>> some operating ideas other than keeping the rig inside a dry bag while
>> operating.
>> 
>> Has anyone tried to make a KX1 splashproof by enclosing it in 
>> something akin to
>> a heavy baggie, with rubber bands wound around the bag where the 
>> antenna, key,
>> and power cables come through?  It wouldn't be waterproof, but it 
>> might work.
>> 
>> 
>> 73,
>> 
>> Eric WD6DBM
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