[Elecraft] Suggested antennas for the KX-2 for portable ops

[Don Wilhelm]

Jack,

A part of the answer to what constitutes a "good portable antenna" is 
going to depend on the supports available.  BTW, this information 
pertains to any portable antenna choice, not just the KX2.  It is all 
about what you are willing to 'tote' to your operating position and what 
'sky-hooks' are available.

If there are 'natural' supports available, and your KX2 has the internal 
tuner, the possibilities are large.  Bruce Prior (one of the KX2 field 
testers who does SOTA) has found that a 58 foot radiator thrown into a 
tree and a 13 foot counterpoise laid along the ground is quite effective 
- used with a BNC to binding post adapter.

End Fed Half Wave antennas can be effective, but some matching sections 
need to have some length of coax attached to act like a short counterpoise.

If you are not backpacking, you can use a telescoping fiberglass pole 
for a support for those antennas.

You will likely find a lot of specialized antenna systems that utilize 
loaded antenna elements - like the Buddipole system that can be erected 
in a variety of ways.  In general, those are not as efficient as a full 
length wire.

And lastly (for me) are the magnetic loop antennas (like the Alexloop) 
that can be easily set up, but must be tuned to the frequency of 
operation and once tuned, the bandwidth is quite small.

Consider your desired operation and then make whatever compromises are 
suitable for that situation.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 8/12/2016 4:58 PM, Jack Colson wrote:
> I am sure that there are many ideas as to good antennas for the KX-2 in portable use.  I’d like to hear some!
>