[Elecraft] Is it my KX3/antenna or is it lousy band condx?

[Walter Underwood]

You can get a quick look at band conditions at http://bandconditions.com <http://bandconditions.com/>

Using Buddistick on 40 m is a real challenge. I would not be surprised if that was an S-unit or more below a full-size dipole.

Try the simplest field antenna for the KX3, two wires connected directly to the rig. Get a BNC to double binding post adaptor. Get a wire 26 to 29 feet long, throw it in a tree and hook one end to the red post. Get a 16 foot wire, lay it on the ground and connect it to the black post. Let the ATU tune it and see you can hear.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Aug 11, 2017, at 9:54 AM, Tommy <tommy58 at hvc.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> The band has been really crappy lately. Keep tuning around and listening.
> 
> 73!
> 
> Tom - KB2SMS
> 
> 
> 
> On 08/11/2017 12:33 PM, Mike Parkes wrote:
>> Okay I am reaching our to the Elecraft enthusiasts here for some feedback
>> if anyone cares to chime in.
>> I am just getting back on the air after years away from the hobby, so I am
>> not that familiar with band conditions in general. It looks like the
>> sunspot cycle is heading for the cellar (if it isn't already there).
>> 
>> Recently bought a KX3 and a Buddistick vertical (like, 2 weeks ago). Love
>> the KX3 it is a great radio... however... so far my efforts to hear much of
>> anything, much less make a contact with someone, has been frustrating to
>> say the least. I live in an apartment and am surrounded by power lines for
>> one thing. The background noise level on 40 is pretty bad varies but is
>> s7-9 mostly. I  took my setup to a nearby park and the bands were
>> definitely quieter. So the local manmade noise level is an issue (and one
>> reason I chose the KX3 was the hope that its rcvr and filtering could help
>> with that.)
>> 
>> Have yet to make a single contact, so I am just wondering if I just
>> happened to choose a really lousy period of solar conditions for HF? Or is
>> the base loaded vertical a joke?
>> 
>> I would love to be able to find another ham even close by just to try and
>> get some sort of an HF QSO even if it is with someone down the block.
>> ...I can tune down to the AM broadcast band and was able to hear some local
>> AM stations. :)
>> 
>> Mike AB7RU
>> 
>> (On a side note the tuner in the KX3 is great!. That thing was able to get
>> a match for 80 meters on the Buddistick which was showing something like
>> 25:1 swr. The KX3 tuner clicked and rattled for a while and found a match
>> to <2:1. Not sure how much actual RF is going out, probably not much... but
>> I was amazed it could tune to that high an SWR.)
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> 
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