[Elecraft] Mobile Radio Dreams & the KX2

[Edward R Cole]

Bill,

Good ideas for mobiling.  I am addressing some of that in this post:

I like the KX3 because of the versatility of the radio and because 
with addition of the 2M module I have 160m-2m all mode operation.  I 
originally bought a K3/10 since I was mainly going to run VHF and up 
using transverters so high power on HF was a luxury to add later.  As 
it turned out the KXPA-100 serves both my K3 and KX3 equally well.

In setting up my truck for extended travel, ham radio operation, I 
installed a new dual-band FM mobile radio which separates control 
panel from radio so it can be installed under the backseat (Ford 
conveniently provides as a lockable storage area).  I have the 50w FM 
mobile, a 160w 2m linear, and the KXPA-100 installed there (I can 
remove the KXPA-100 for use at home with my K3).

The KX3 sits in a RAM bracket so it fairly easy to remove for use in 
our trailer in a campground in the evening.  After some thought, I 
added two extra coax lines coming out of the cab which can either 
connect to antenna or to coax extensions to the trailer so the amps 
and antennas in the truck can be used by the KX3 sitting on dining 
table in the trailer.  I installed a metal plate for five coax 
feedthru connectors for bringing out coax lines from a hole under the 
cab floor.  Three go to antennas on the cab roof and two are spare 
for running to trailer or whatever.  The HF antenna mounts in corner 
of the bed and has its own coax run.

Trailers all come with 12v wiring and outlets these days which is 
sufficient for the KX3.  Only issue that remains is whether I want to 
add a separate battery for the radios as running down the truck 
battery at night is not cool.  Of course I could run the diesel 
engine but not very efficient way to keep charge on the 
battery.  Trailer will have a generator so maybe hooking up a battery 
charger is an option to separate battery?

Headset with boom mic or just a boom mic for a ball cap as my hearing 
aids have bluetooth.  KX3 audio will go to sync.  Some stuff to 
figure out after using it a bit.  I figure I will mostly operate from 
right seat while my wife drives which should reduce some of the 
issues.  Driving with a 30-foot trailer is 100% job so distraction is 
to be avoided.

We will run 144.39-APRS so you can track us on the web whenever we 
are in range of digipeaters and Igates.

73, Ed - KL7UW

From: Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Mobile Radio Dreams & the KX2
Message-ID:
         <r470Ps-10121i-D921C73FAB194E4B92FD5F548C37C703 at Williams-MacBook-Pro.local>

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Wayne suggests the KX2 and KX3 as mobile rigs, and Jim pointed
to a really nice installation for use by the passenger. They are
both viable solutions. However, they do have some problems.

I see mobile rigs being used in 3 ways: (1) Campground rigs for
use when the vehicle is stopped. Here you can add radials to the
antenns and a K3(s) would be wonderful. (2) Operated by a
passenger in motion, and (3) Operated by the driver in motion.
The driver distraction issues only apply to this last use case.

By way of background, I have installed two mobil rigs. I have a
Yaesu FTM-30 in my Miata. It was chosen because it could replace
the stock AM/FM broadcast band radio, freeing up space to
install it. (There's not much space in a Miata.) It transmits on
2M and 70cm, which covers local communications, but doesn't do
HF or 6M. Its UI is a fine example of what NOT to do in a mobile UI.

The other rig was an Icom 706 in a Toyota 4Runner, which has
recently gone to the great crusher in the sky. We now have a
brand new Subaru Forester which needs a radio, so I am in the market.

The KX2 is missing 6M and 2M which means I will need a second
radio for 2M (and 70cm). I could blow off operating on 6M, but I
got a lot of use out of 6M in the last VHF contest as a rover.
My KX3 has 6M and can be upgraded to have 2M, but it is a bit
big for the available space in the console. (The remote head for
the 706 fits reasonably well, but the receiver on the 706 isn't
super good. In any case, our local ARES/RACES group uses 70cm --
it's the way to hit the local repeater from the hospital EOC
since 2M doesn't work -- so 70cm is almost a requirement.

Good as these radios are, their UI is not ideal from a driver
distraction point of view. There are several button presses to
recall a frequency memory, and there is not an obvious "hands
free" solution for California drivers.

All in all, I could see myself ending up with a KX2 and a
VHF/UHF radio to be named later. But I dream of a more
integrated solution.

73 Bill AE6JV


73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
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