My personal opinion is that you're setting yourself up for a very
frustrating experience. Yes, you will eventually make some contacts, but
unless you'll be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, your contacts per
trip will probably be rather low.
Technically, I agree with Rick that you need the outboard amp. However, for
what you'll pay for the amp, you can buy a radio that was designed for
mobile. I have two Kenwood TS-480S/AT's in mobile service and I find it is
the best mobile rig I've ever used in over 40 years of mobiling. With
tunable antennas such as the Tarheel that Rick recommended, I'd go for the
HX version with 200 watts output. It WILL make a difference, especially
when you're operating on 20 M and below where even the best 8 foot antenna
is a severe compromise.
Even though I've had a radio in the car for many years, I am not a "serious"
mobile op. I use an old solid SS bugcatcher mast and several Hustler
resonators. From experience, I operate 95% of the time on several bands (20
& 40 M) , so I never felt the need for an expensive "all-band" antenna and
a couple resonators are adequate for me. One trick I've found to increase
their efficiency is to use the next higher band coil and add length to the
top whip. A 4 foot whip will work fine on 20 M using a 15 M coil. I also
removed enough turns from a 40 M coil to also use a 4 foot whip for
resonance.
Mobile operation can be fun, but QRP mobile, at least to me would not be.
Now, if you're mainly interested in listening, then it's a different story.
73, Charlie k3ICH
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Bates, WA6NHC" <happymooseph...@gmail.com>
To: "<elecraft@mailman.qth.net>" <Elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 12:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 on SSB Mobile
Like any great station, most of the budget should go into the antenna.
The Hustler will load and it might even radiate, but the resonators have
low Q and are not very efficient. I just gave mine away last week, I now
use a Tarheel (screwdriver) on my truck.
If your budget insists on that choice, at least make double sure that is
it as high as you can safely afford with everything bonded well to (and
ON) the vehicle for the best efficiency. If you get a screwdriver
antenna, same rules but get the coil as high as you can and use a capacity
hat instead of a tall whip.
Next you'll want to pay attention to how you power the radio. Cigar
lighters are notorious for noise because they are not well grounded and
often have other devices (noise makers) on the same circuit. Find a
better power source, preferably connection directly to the battery
(automotive self-resetting circuit breakers at the battery, fuses near the
radio; BOTH leads to the battery AND both fused). The battery will act as
a HUGE capacitor, keeping a lot of noise out of the rig.
Once that is taken care of, you can set up your transmitter audio as
you've been instructed and there are plenty of 'scopes out there to get
accurate reports. I might also cut the lows in the TX EQ which helps add
more 'punch' but don't overdo that or it sounds like crap (pinched noise
while breathing helium).
Don't forget that since it is a wider signal, SSB won't have near the
energy you're used to (you'll need more power than you do on CW).
So it can be done. The question (for you): is the time and frustration
worth the fewer contacts you'll make (compared to a 100 watt mobile). For
me, life is too short for QRP but some folks thrive on it. I'd seriously
consider adding the KXPA with tuner into the mix. Then you can consider
one of the other larger amps... ;o)
73 es GL,
Rick, WA6NHC
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