[Elecraft] Questions about KX2 possible purchase

[Don Wilhelm]

Doug,

The battery and tuner are 'options' and do not come with the basic KX2. 
This is typical of Elecraft - if you don't need it, you do not have to 
buy it, they do not include it as part of the basic package.  The 
microphone and paddles are also not part of the basic package.

Is your end-fed antenna tunable with a capacitor?  If so, then no tuner 
is required - otherwise yes.

If you want to operate 20, 17 and 15 meters with an antenna that is 
short and portable, then the AX1 may be the thing for you.  If you are 
planning operation from the home station, use resonant antennas mounted 
higher for better results.  The AX1 (and AX1E for 30 and 40 meters) does 
a good job when you have to set up quickly and operate in a portable 
situation.  The KX2 tuner is required with the AX1 antenna.

On your end-fed antennas - you do need a counterpoise of about 0.05 
wavelengths (see the W8JI experiments).

A just as good portable antenna is a BNC to binding post adapter 
connected to the KX2.  A 58 foot length of wire and a 27 foot 
counterpoise will be a good performer for 80 through 10 meters (no 
feedline).  Yes, you will need the KX2 tuner with that arrangement.
The counterpoise can be laid on the ground and the radiator thrown over 
a limb or tall bush.  One of the KX2 Field Testers who operates mostly 
SOTA has determined that those lengths work well.

I can't answer about your 80 and 40 meter end feds, if they are tuneable 
with a capacitor, then you do not need the tuner, but if they have UNUNs 
which tie the bottom of the primary and secondary together, they will 
use a part of the feedline for a counterpoise.   The counterpoise for a 
tuned end fed antenna needs to be only 0.05 wavelength long (see the 
W8JI experiments).

73,
Don W3FPR



On 5/24/2020 5:05 PM, Doug Daniels wrote:
> I'm looking at the potential purchase of a KX2. It's primary use will be
> SOTA, and other hiking ops. I've narrowed my choice down to this and one
> other rig. I want to make sure of what is included and what is not, and
> what needs to be added to the base rig and price.
> 
> My questions are, does the $829.95 price include a battery and tuner. The
> web site isn't clear. If a battery is included, is a second one a wise
> purchase?
> If the tuner isn't included, how necessary is the tuner (I have an end fed
> 80 and am building an end fed 40).
> Is the AX1 worth it for just 20, 17, 15?
> What else is not included that I should be considering?
>