[Elecraft] KX3 on SSB Mobile

[Charlie T, K3ICH]

My personal opinion is that you're setting yourself up for a very 
frustrating experience.  Yes, you will eventually make some contacts, but 
unless you'll be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, your contacts per 
trip will probably be rather low.

Technically, I agree with Rick that you need the outboard amp.  However, for 
what you'll pay for the amp, you can buy a radio that was designed for 
mobile.  I have two Kenwood TS-480S/AT's in mobile service and I find it is 
the best mobile rig I've ever used in over 40 years of mobiling.    With 
tunable antennas such as the Tarheel that Rick recommended, I'd go for the 
HX version with 200 watts output.  It WILL make a difference, especially 
when you're operating on 20 M and below where even the best 8 foot antenna 
is a severe compromise.

Even though I've had a radio in the car for many years, I am not a "serious" 
mobile op.  I use an old solid SS bugcatcher mast and several Hustler 
resonators.  From experience, I operate 95% of the time on several bands (20 
& 40 M) , so I never felt the need for an expensive "all-band" antenna and 
a couple resonators are adequate for me.   One trick I've found to increase 
their efficiency is to use the next higher band coil and add length to the 
top whip.  A 4 foot whip will work fine on 20 M  using a 15 M coil.  I also 
removed enough turns from a 40 M coil to also use a 4 foot whip for 
resonance.

Mobile operation can be fun, but QRP mobile, at least to me would not be. 
Now, if you're mainly interested in listening, then it's a different story.

73, Charlie k3ICH







----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Bates, WA6NHC" <happymoosephoto at gmail.com>
To: "<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>" <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 12:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 on SSB Mobile


> Like any great station, most of the budget should go into the antenna. 
> The Hustler will load and it might even radiate, but the resonators have 
> low Q and are not very efficient.  I just gave mine away last week, I now 
> use a Tarheel (screwdriver) on my truck.
>
> If your budget insists on that choice, at least make double sure that is 
> it as high as you can safely afford with everything bonded well to (and 
> ON) the vehicle for the best efficiency.  If you get a screwdriver 
> antenna, same rules but get the coil as high as you can and use a capacity 
> hat instead of a tall whip.
>
> Next you'll want to pay attention to how you power the radio.  Cigar 
> lighters are notorious for noise because they are not well grounded and 
> often have other devices (noise makers) on the same circuit.  Find a 
> better power source, preferably connection directly to the battery 
> (automotive self-resetting circuit breakers at the battery, fuses near the 
> radio; BOTH leads to the battery AND both fused).  The battery will act as 
> a HUGE capacitor, keeping a lot of noise out of the rig.
>
> Once that is taken care of, you can set up your transmitter audio as 
> you've been instructed and there are plenty of 'scopes out there to get 
> accurate reports.  I might also cut the lows in the TX EQ which helps add 
> more 'punch' but don't overdo that or it sounds like crap (pinched noise 
> while breathing helium).
>
> Don't forget that since it is a wider signal, SSB won't have near the 
> energy you're used to (you'll need more power than you do on CW).
>
> So it can be done.  The question (for you): is the time and frustration 
> worth the fewer contacts you'll make (compared to a 100 watt mobile).  For 
> me, life is too short for QRP but some folks thrive on it.  I'd seriously 
> consider adding the KXPA with tuner into the mix.  Then you can consider 
> one of the other larger amps...  ;o)
>
> 73 es GL,
> Rick, WA6NHC
>
>