[Elecraft] New to QRP

Fri Nov 24 00:55:07 EST 2017

Marv,

Glad to see you found a solution to keeping ham radio after 
downsizing.  I'm in similar situation when traveling by RV (no 
appreciable real estate for antennas).  I am using a KX3 for my 
mobile/portable operation (HF probably more likely when parked at the 
end of the day's travel).  The KX3 works very nicely with the KXPA100 
if you decide you want more power (and its affordable for you).  I 
made that decision two years ago.  I install my KXPA100 under 
backseat of my crewcab pickup and have a coax line run for remote 
input of the KX3 from the 5th wheel.  From an apartment or small home 
adding the KXPA100 is pretty easy (does not take up space and can be 
set on a closet shelf out of site with just coax and RJ45 control 
line going to the amp).  I upgraded mine with the KXAT100 to make use 
of a vertical easier.

But the KX3 with 15w and internal atu can do fine on its own.  I plan 
to make a 76-day road trip this coming summer so will tell how that 
went.  Still on the fence on antenna choice (simple/fast setup is a 
deciding factor so it may be a mobile screwdriver vertical).

One thing I am puzzling on my setup is keeping the cable run to the 
RV simple (would like it to just be two coax lines: HF/6m and 
2m).  But keying the KXPA100 is an issue without either control line 
or PTT line.  I'm thinking to make a RF sense ckt to key the PTT on 
the KXPA100.  This more a question to Wayne.

73, KL7UW

Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:13:29 -0800
From: <marvwheeler at nwlink.com>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"

Since becoming licensed in 1967 I have always had better than average
antennas with ample power. Since I have become older (now 80) my wife and I
have downsized and I now longer have a location suitable for a large antenna
system and have had to resort to a vertical. At first I thought that was a
bad thing. Then I ran across a used KX3 and after having used it for a short
while I have again discovered the anxiety and joy of making a contact with
12 watts. I have discovered a lot of being able to work the station is
technique rather than brute power. Yes, high power will work but lacks the
true joy is found when you can log the contact using a tin cup and a wet
string.

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