[Elecraft] KX-1 80M Question

[Phil Wheeler]

Jay,

I agree with Phil (the other Phil below!).  My 
first KX1, built in 2003 or 2004, had 20/30/40. My 
current one has all four bands. 80 m has never 
seemed a great QRP band for me, mainly due to the 
antenna issues.

The KXAT1 *will* tune 80 m; there may be a mod you 
do to it while adding the 3080 module to make that 
feasible, not sure but the 3080 module 
instructions should tell you.

Another plus of adding 3080 is in receiving 80 m 
and other non-ham frequencies, if you use the KX1 
that way.

Personally, if you have a KX1 with the original 30 
meter module added I see no great benefit in 
adding the 3080 option in place of the 30 m module 
-- unless you have special interest in operating 
80 meters.

73, Phil W7OX

On 3/16/15 11:10 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> I have a KX1 with 80/30 and I very rarely use it.  In fact, I probably could have
> done just fine without ever having an 80 meter capability with the KX1.
>
> Primarily, I use the KX1 in portable QRP operations and in that scenario, 80
> meters is harder to do because of the need for a better antenna then I typically
> put up.  But, 30 and 20 meters are quite viable for QRP work with the KX1.
>
> I have used my 80 meter capability for only one kind of contact and that is a
> couple of times I would QNI into a CW net with QRP power.  But, that was sort
> of just to use the newer 80 meter capability installed on my KX1.   Today,
> I have done that using my KX3 so the KX1  80 meter
> capability will likely be unused from now on even though
> I have only had 80 meters on the KX1 since last year.
>
> If you have no great need for 80 meters  such as joining some kind of scheduled
> net, I strongly suggest that you forget 80 meters for the KX1 especially when
> operating portable and definitely if you are operating from a hotel balcony.
>
> As for antennas, consider getting a Buddipole or Buddistick.  I have the Buddistick
> and have used it successfully but never on 80 meters.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
>
>> On Mar 16, 2015, at 10:03 AM, J <tscm4u at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm considering replacing the 30M module in my KX-1 with a 30/80M module,
>> and had a few questions first:
>>
>>
>>
>> What chances of contacts with 4 watts on 80M. using a typical end-fed
>> antenna suspended from a tree or hotel balcony?  (Seems like higher bands
>> are easier at QRP)
>>
>>
>>
>> My KX-1 has the KXAT-1 ATU.  Will the KXAT-1 also attempt a match on 80M?
>>
>>
>>
>> Has anyone had success with ONE antenna and counterpoise length that will
>> load properly on 80/40/30/20 using the KX-1/KXAT-1?  (I'm thinking a length
>> which avoids High-Z on these bands)
>>
>>
>>
>> 73, Jay
>>
>> W6CJ