[Elecraft] [KX3] AlexLoop operating portable in Italy

[Doug Turnbull]

Dear Elecrafters,

 

      My knees and back will not allow me to do the trekking that Wayne and
many others enjoy into the mountains and deep woods.   Age and infirmities
limit this grey wolf about to turn seventy.   But a recent holiday to Lake
Garda with the call sign IK/EI2CN brought back the joy of mountain topping
in mid sixties.

 

     My equipment was a KX3 run from batteries for 5W and an AlexLoop.
The AlexLoop is a compromise antenna but it is unobtrusive, light, small,
and easy to set up.  A dangling long wire could be problematic coming across
someone else's balcony or window.   The wire is the more efficient antenna.
Buddipoles can be too big though I am purchasing one for USA operations.

 

      Initially the antenna was positioned on a small balcony of the steel
reinforced Grand Hotel Riva.   The Italians have romantic names for hotels.
The magnetic loop does not like to be surrounded by steel so of course the
antenna would not work in the room but on the balcony it did.   Performance
was okay when held vertically just below the balcony wall but it improved a
good 3 dB when placed horizontally on the balcony wall.   A third of the
loop extended beyond the deck and it was balanced but I tied it down with a
short length of dental floss to the handle of the awning adjuster so that it
would not fall.    The coax of course was connected to my wee KX3.   The
anchor might hold and it might not  

 

      The first day I just listened and heard a Southern California station
running 1500 watts in QSO with Norway.    Considering the antenna position
and the mountains surrounding the lake I would not have though California
could be so strong.    This SSB QSO was however the only W I can remember
hearing and the location no doubt was responsible.   First hop European QSOs
were possible.    MY mode of operation is strictly CW with a small Begali
Adventure paddle, which wanted to visit the home land.   In all twenty five
QSOs were logged.    Some were easy and could have been continued as proper
rag chews while others were marginal and necessitated the rubber stamp
approach.    There were a number of long call sign special event stations on
while we were in Italy and they provided easy QSOs but only short ones which
for me is a disappointment.

 

      I found that answering strong signals was the most productive approach
to making a QSO.   Often I would wait till a QSO finished before trying to
snag the station.     Only one QSO was made as a result of a CQ and that
from the roof, anon.     

 

     On the last day I decided to take the radio up to the roof top patio
and things improved greatly.    My one QSO as a result of the CQ occurred
and in general it was easier to work people.    The AlexLoop was carried up
assembled in the elevator and propped against a plant in the vertical
orientation.     Ah to have sun on you back and a bit of warmth in this
Italian microclimate was a treat.

 

      I greatly enjoyed operations from both balcony and roof.   In the not
too distant future my KX3 and AlexLoop will travel to Tuscany.   My XYL and
I are "Italianophiles".   Anne takes the I-pad and I take the KX3 both
products of the Golden State.    I normally chase DX but there is little new
for me.   Contesting is great fun but of late my efforts are directed to
being a good CW rag chewer and the goal is to reach 30 WPM for rag chewing.
Now I see there is another room in the Father's mansion, portable operation
When first I saw the KX3 in Dayton my feelings were nice but not for me, the
tune has changed.    Also QRP is of interest though QRO will remain the
norm.   Life is good thank you Elecraft and AlexLoop.

 

      On many occasions I have worked across the Atlantic from both
directions using the AlexLoop and KX3 from inside a wood frame or concrete
block house. 

 

                 73 Doug EI2CN

 

KX1 KX3 K3 P3 W2   The KX1 is still a winner. PS if some receive twice I had
a date issue with PC.