[Elecraft] New KX2 - what am I doing wrong?

[Philip Cochran]

I tried 80, 40, 20, 17, and 10 meter ham bands. I tried WWV on 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz.  I tried the common SWL frequencies.  I tried mornings, afternoons and evenings.  What is puzzling is that I am hearing nothing but static.  It is as if there is no antenna.  I tried a wire antenna in lieu of the whip.  Still nothing. I’ve either got some software switch set wrong or there is a fault with the rig.

FWIW - I was first licensed many years ago, built several analog radios from scratch, built Heathkits, and had contacts from all over the world.  Although my knowledge is seriously dated I have a sense of what a good receiver can pick up. My old Drake 2B could usually hear many stations at any time of day.

I did contact Elecraft.  They gave me some initial suggestions.  None worked. Waiting for a a reply from my email yesterday..

Phil Cochran
________________________________
From: Marty Skitch <skitch at skitchfamily.net>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2020 3:00:29 PM
To: philip.cochran at gmail.com <philip.cochran at gmail.com>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New KX2 - what am I doing wrong?

You did not mention what bands you're listening to and when?  I would expect no signals on 10 meters and signals on 30-17 meters during the day and 40 meters and below at night.
72
Marty NR3Z
Skitch at SkitchFamily.net
NR3Z at ARRL.net



On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 2:57 PM Philip Cochran <philip.cochran at gmail.com<mailto:philip.cochran at gmail.com>> wrote:
I recently purchased a new KX2 with all the trimmings (AX1, AXE1, CW
paddles, binding posts, etc.). Unfortunately, I’m hearing nothing but
static.  I had expected the KX2 to significantly exceed the receiving
quality of my inexpensive SWL receivers.


I am within 5 miles line of sight from some powerful AM stations. My
Midland emergency radio has no problem in picking up the local AM stations
- even the telescoping antenna fully retracted into the body of the radio.  My
KX2 cannot hear these stations.  I cannot hear WWV on the KX2 (although my
$20 clock radios can synchronize to it).  I cannot hear any FT8 signals.
Likewise, no CW.


Granted, I am only using the Elecraft AX1 whip and not an outdoor antenna.  But
the AX1 whip is considerably larger than the telescoping antenna on my
Midland even when extended.  I’ve checked the RF GAIN (it’s at -0 db), the
AF GAIN knob is turned up, and PRE is showing near the middle of the
display.


Maybe I am a complete idiot and am doing something wrong.  Or perhaps my
brand new KX2 was dead on arrival.  Can anyone suggest next steps?
______________________________________________________________
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<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 skitch at skitchfamily.net<mailto:skitch at skitchfamily.net>