[Elecraft] Could this operate on a motorcycle? [KX3-ish discussion]

[Mike Morrow]

> I am not using it rag chew. I am using it communicate with the 2 to 6 other
> ride leaders to coordinate and keep the ride together.

> General usage would be on a single channel all day long, unless we got
> separated, then we would have designated open repeaters to tune to during
> the ride.

Explain again, to slow people like me not as wise, why a multi-mode MF/HF
radio would better serve for mobile VHF-FM use...a radio that has only
a few watts output on 6 meters and, as yet, has no 2 meter capability (and
will be **very** power-limited when it becomes available)?  If you use simplex,
and you get parties separated with obstructions between them, a few watts on
VHF may not do the job you need.

> Chuck sent me an email, after remembering that the Kenwood you mentioned is
> the same approx size, shape and orientation as the KX3. 
> And a bit cheaper, although again, you get what you pay for.

I don't know WHO recommended WHAT Kenwood, but nothing that you just wrote is
true about the very best candidates for your application...radios such as the
Alinco DR-135T, Icom IC-2300H, Kenwood TM-281A, or Yaesu FT-1900R.  Thay are
all very small 2 meter mobile radios providing at least 50 watts output with
a street cost of around $150 or less.  You could buy ten of them for every one
well-fitted KX3!  They also provide weather channel and some public service
channel reception, are far more rugged than the KX3, and are much more likely
to survive abuse encountered in mobile installations such as you describe.
They are also extremely simple to use.

You do NOT need multi-band VHF capability for your application.  Trying
to use six meters complicates things like antenna installation.  Two-band
use would be best limited to 2m and 70cm, since the antenna size will not be
grossly affected.  One inexpensive small VHF-FM mobile unit with one simple
mono-band antenna will serve better than a KX3-in-a-box-on-handlebars.

What you have been describing as your rationale for choosing a KX3 is *very* 
bizarre to anyone technically knowledgeable of mobile communications applications.
Is there's a back story that isn't being made apparent?  Perhaps you actually
wish to justify purchase of the KX3 for better use later with an upgraded license.
In that case...get a KX3.  It's a great choice for sophisticated communications
needs, but it's a terrible choice for what you describe.  Get the KX3 for ham use,
but buy a cheap but decent 2 meter FM rig for two-wheeler mobile use.

Mike / KK5F