[Elecraft] Why did I purchase this antenna for the KX3?

[Ariel Jacala]

Hi

Ron AC7AC has it right.  Portable operation always presents a compromise.  For portable use I have found the Par End Fed half wave multiband 40-20-10 meter dipole to be excellent.  In  November on 10 meters and 4 watts on a KX1 I have been able to make contacts into Eastern Europe.  It is also an excellent NVIS antenna on 40m.  Another antenna that does well in the high bands in terms of versatility is the Buddipole with the long whips 9.5 ft each which makes it easier to tune.  The short verticals even with radials is just a little bit better than a dummy load which radiates.  The closer your antenna is to a full size half wave dipole  the better.  You will also do well to deploy it at half wave elevation if you can unless working NVIS for close work  on the low bands.

Ariel NY4G

> Good afternoon, I am a very new (receive only/studying for license)
> enthusiast caught up in the excitement here and for the loaded KX3 that I
> have on order. Could the group please give me some kind of idea as to
> whether this purchase
> http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantht/5046.html was a wise one for
> this unit given that I now see it has an antenna already attached to it
> (doh!).or is this 'improved'(?) antenna as good as any other (in
> 2012/regardless of cost) for increasing performance while still keeping the
> whole package compact and portable? Thanks for any help as I'll stick with
> the stock whip if this product isn't a good match and concentrate my funds
> on whatever fixed base setup you guys agree on that is still portable and
> most importantly the best on the market as of this year.