[Elecraft] Questions about KX2 possible purchase

[Bill Lederer]

I bought the KX2 with all options save the Key paddle. I also got the
antenna and the bag. This included two lengths of ground wire.

Haven’t done sota or much remote yet. I would take handfuls of various wire
lengths in addition to the ground wire.

I did operate it from the Titan missile museum with their 80 foot Discone.

High recommend this rig

On Sun, May 24, 2020 at 18:47 Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> 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?
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to w8lvn.9 at gmail.com
>
-- 
--w8lvn--