[Elecraft] New ham and the KX3

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

Welcome Sean,

There are two rules to antennas:

1) Put up the biggest one you can

2) If it stays up, it was too small

Seriously, though.....

A really good chunk of fine wire (like Wireman #534 -- 26 gauge 
copper-over-steel with a thin "insulation" jacket to make it harder to 
see) will give you something that will work, and if you buy a bunch, you 
can experiment.

Nobody will see it.

The antenna tuner option is a really good idea if you decide to go that way.

73 -- Lynn

On 2/25/2014 4:23 PM, Sean Wall wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I recently got my Technician license and I'm working on my General and Extra.  I'm looking to get my first rig and I'm interested in the KX3. I was considering pairing it with a Buddipole antenna, as my development doesn't allow permanent antennas.  While I use the KX3 at home, will I get decent range with the 10 watt output?  In other words, would I need the 100 watt amp to make the kx3 a decent base station?  I am also planning on bringing the KX3 with me when my wife and I drive up north from Florida (where we live).  Since I'm new to amateur radio, I don't yet have a feel for how much power 10 watts is w.r.t. RF frequencies.  I plan on operating mostly 6 and 10 m initially until I upgrade my license.  Thanks for any help you can provide!
>
> -Sean