Hello Ralph
I also often operate portable with my KX1, often from Phoenix. Although I
have had SOME LIMITED success operating from motels, homes, etc with various
antennas, I want to give you another idea which WILL work and be lots of fun.
I usually just borrow a lawn chair and possibly a scrap of wood for an
operating table, then hike to the nearest park with my radio and 25 ft piece of
wire and 17 ft radial. I throw the wire up in a tree and lay out one or 2
radials, then the fun begins. Rx noise is much lower than in a subdivission or
motel and I have a much better signal than I would have from a building. In
Phoenix there is usually a city park or some open space within a few blocks.
On my last trip to Phoenix I did not even bother to set up my rig at my
daughters house, but just walked to the park to operate. Many wonderful
contacts on 20, 30, and 40 meters with this very simple set up. In fact I had
so much fun operating all afternoon in 75 degree temperatures I just stayed on
the air into the evening and practically froze as the temperature dropped into
the 40's since I just had short sleeves and shorts ! This kind of simple set
up from the wide open spaces all over the US and Europe has netted me many
QSO's with my KX1 typically out to 1000 or 1500 miles, and very occasionally
even some DX.
When you do operate portable experiment with your ground. Sometimes all I
do is clip onto a metal picnic table, guard rail, metal roof, or whatever is
around. Often this is all I need and a radial does not help. In other
situations clipping onto a building ground or other object just SUCKS THE
SIGNALS AWAY...like an electronic BLACK HOLE !!! Then a radial should be
installed. I usually try both systems on receive first. (adding a radial will
probably never degrade your signal).
IF you can erect a dipole or other antenna at a good height above most
surrounding structures then it probably will outperform my "park" antenna.
Often folks see me in a park and ask about ham radio and what I am doing.
Usually I am in a cw qso, so talking to them while on the air is difficult.
Before my next trip I am going to print up some small handouts which expain ham
radio, qrp, cw etc.
Have fun in Phoenix with your KX1. You should be able to get into the
Elecraft net to both Kevin and Tom on 20 for sure and possibly also on 40 with
a "park set up".
Rick, KL7CW
KX1 # 798, Palmer, Alaska
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