[Elecraft] Mobile Radio Dreams & the KX2

[Wayne Burdick]

Not that a new mobile-only rig wouldn't be a fun design exercise, but…  you may want to consider the KX2. I've used mine mobile often, and this was one of our goals for the rig. A KX3 can also be used mobile, though it's larger and more complex. 

Here's why the KX2 works so well for minimum-fuss mobile:

1. It is about the size of the control heads on many mobile HF radios.

2. A mobile-mount bracket is available for the KX2. The radio weighs well under 1 lb, so you can use a variety of third-party stalks, adapters, etc. to get it onto your dashboard or console. RAM Mounts work great.

3. The radio itself is fully self-contained (10 W, ATU, battery), but you can also pair it with the KXPA100 AMP. The amp will fit in a trunk or under a seat. The amp has its own 100-W ATU option.

4. If you're among The Chosen who do CW mobile, no problem -- you can attach a KXPD2 :)  The mobile-mount bracket also allows this.

5. The KX2 has a minimum of controls, and it's easy to use, even mobile. Switches all have tone feedback, including a Morse option. When the Morse option is selected, tapping DISP reports the VFO frequency so you don't have to look at the display. (There's a document available for blind hams detailing how to use the radio.)

6. The KXIO2 option has two general-purpose open-drain relay drive outputs that could be used to select taps on a home-brew multi-band mobile whip. I haven't gotten around to doing this myself, but the firmware already supports it. On a per-band basis, you can set up these two outputs, allowing automatic selection of up to 4 different bands right at the antenna. The ATU does the rest.

7. The KX2 has a singular advantage that no other rig possesses (except for the KX3): When you get to your destination, you can unclip it, take it with you, and still have a hand-held or field-portable 10-watt station with all the trimmings.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


On Dec 13, 2016, at 12:34 PM, "Dick Dickinson" <softblue at windstream.net> wrote:

> Bill - I'm glad you brought this up.
> 
> I've been using the Yaesu FT-857D mobile for a number of years.  The number
> one thing I appreciate about it is the remote head aspect.  It is suitably
> sized to sit atop the column of the steering wheel.  The controls are all
> accessible through the top open half of the steering wheel.  Eye deviation
> from the roadway is minimal.  It does not in my case block information on
> the dashboard.
> 
> One consideration that might be a further improvement is a heads up display.
> A heads up display is one that reflects off the inside of the windshield
> from a top of dashboard mounted display.  Controls might still be
> incorporated into a unit that could mount atop the steering wheel column or
> other convenient location.
> 
> HF Mobile operation is important to me.  I notice that Yaesu's new FT-891
> follows the configuration of the 857D (though without 2m and 440MHz) with a
> larger display area and an improved menu system.  While I enjoy HF mobile,
> my perception is that it is on the decline in popularity.  I don't see HF
> mobile setups unless I'm in the realm of a Hamfest. 
> 
> Best,
> Dick - KA5KKT
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> A few weeks ago I passed a car with the license WA6HHQ and it 
> got me to thinking: What if Elecraft made a radio specifically 
> designed as a mobile radio? Here are some of my ideas:
> 
> It would have a UI designed to minimize driver distraction. This 
> UI might draw inspiration from the 5 button AM radios of old, 
> which could tune pre-sets without looking at the radio.
> 
> It would:
>   Cover 80M-6M with 2M and 70cm being nice additions.
> 
>   Be available with 50-100W maximum output
> 
>   Have a small control head with a separation cable if necessary.
> 
>   Have a "hands free" operation option
> 
> 
> One intriguing idea would be to use the smartphone interfaces 
> available in some newer cars to provide the entire radio UI in a 
> form that is well integrated into the auto console. Or at least 
> use it as a panadapter display.
> 
> 73 Bill AE6JV
> 
> 
> 
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