[Elecraft] KX1: requesting recommended wire antenna lengths advice

[Don Wilhelm]

Pat,

The KXAT1 is optimized for the lengths shown in the manual, so I am 
surprised that you are having trouble with them.  OTOH, such 
non-resonant antennas are sensitive as to how they are deployed.
If you continue to have trouble on 40 meters, I would suggest a 33 ft. 
radiator with a 33 ft. radial.  That should be close to resonance on 40 
meters and provide a sufficiently low feedpoint impedance to the KXAT1.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/19/2015 6:08 PM, Pat Ring wrote:
> Hello.  I researched this, eh, pretty thoroughly, but I keep running into a
> little problem with the recommended lengths for direct-fed antennas.  The
> KXATU guides recommend a 24'-28' radiator and a 1/8 wave
> ground/counterpoise, but I have seen 28' and 41' recommended as well (some
> with recommended radials and some without).  The 24' wire tuned up fine on
> 20m and 30m, around 1.2:1, but I can't get an KX1ATU lower than about 8.9
> SWR on 40.  Am I missing something obvious, or should I continue to
> experiment?  I've only tried that ATU about three times on 40M because that
> SWR seems pretty high to me and has to be tough on the kit.  I am reluctant
> to continue to try anything in this range now.  I don't really want to take
> coax on the road with me, and 20m and 30m are ok, but I would like to
> participate in the 4sQRP on 40m when I am on the road this week.  I would
> appreciate your advice.  Thanks.  Pat NQ0N
>