[Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question

[Mike WA8BXN]

Hi Steve, 
 
Them MP-1 is a pretty neat antenna. You can set it up from the inside of a
tent when its raining (right outside the door). Its a compromise length wise
but well built. 
 
I would suggest NOT putting any antenna on the BNC connector of the KX-3
because of the strain on the BNC connector in the radio. (I would not use
any hard connector like an 90 degree BNC to connect an antenna either). Use
some coax between the rig and the antenna and find a suitable and cheap to
fix if needed way to support the antenna. 
73/72 - Mike WA8BXN 
 
 
 
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: ke6gda at gmail.com 
Date: 3/11/2013 4:55:17 PM 
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net; Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Portable Antenna question 
 
Hi Lynn, 
 
 
 
I just picked up a KX3 a few weeks back and of course had the same question.
I knew wire antennas would work well but wanted to try something different
and see what would work if I found myself out in the desert or jumping on
the air from the beach, so I went with the super antenna MP1 with the
optional tripod base. I set it up in my back yard (in less than 10 min) and
added a few more radials onto it than what it came with. Set the KX3 up on
the patio table and fired it up. First QSO was to Alaska from the SF bay
area on CW using 3 watts on internal batteries. I was excited considering I
had very low expectations of the antenna. But it worked. The main thing I
like about it is that it setup and break down is very easy, and the foot
print is really small. I have limited antenna options at home and am using a
hustler 6btv that’s concealed in painted PVC pipe hidden in the trees. My
plans for this weekend are to set the MP1 back up and do some a/b comps with
the hustler. 
 
 
 
On a side note, I went to New Mexico the week after I got my KX3. The super
antenna breaks down really small and I had no problem sticking it in the
pelican case I put together for the setup. Took the whole package radio and
all as a carry-on onto the plane with out any problems. Got to New Mexico
and set it up and had a blast. Are there other ideas that will work better,
definitely, but for $100 for a small vertical it worked wonders. I figure if
I find myself in a hotel room it would also work wonders. 
 
 
 
I also picked up one of those MFJ 20 meter loaded telescoping antennas that
plugs into the KX3 bnc connector. I added some radials to the KX3 case and
started working JT65 while sitting at my kitchen table. Called CQ and
started checking the PSKreporter website. Stations all along the east coast
were picking me up from the SF bay area. The only issue I had was RFI
causing the mousepad to freeze up. With JT65, that’s not a huge problem, but
that would be an issue with PSK31 or RTTY. With the MP1 I did not have any
RFI issues. 
 
 
 
As someone else mentioned trying out all different kind of antennas is a lot
of fun, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve spent most my free time playing with
the KX3 and different antennas and have somewhat abandoned the shack hihi. 
 
 
 
73, 
 
 
 
Steve 
 
KE6GDA