I live in Alaska at approximately 62 degrees north latitude where conditions
average much worse than in the "lower 48" states . Nearly 100% of my operation
in the last 2 years has been with my KX1. The bands are not always open, but
more often than not when I go down to the shack I am successful. During the
WPX contest in May conditions were good for this part of the sunspot cycle. I
was able to work 302 QSO's in 41 countries, including many Europeans with my
KX1 and 3 el yagi at 60 ft and dipoles for 40 and 80 meters. During field day I
hiked up a local mountain, erected an inverted vee and had many QSO's, but
needed to really work for them since QRP conditions from Alaska were only fair.
I travel often with my KX1 and usually just use it with my 26 ft wire in a
tree. From the midwest I often work the whole US and Canada and if conditions
are unusually good very occasionally have even worked Europe and other DX with
my wire. From northern Norway (68 degrees N.) and England I work all over
Europe with my KX1 on internal batteries (1.5 watts). So just try the bands
every day. Even in Alaska it is unusual to find the bands all dead for days on
end. Over the last 2 years I have probably been 80 % successful in checking
into the Elecraft net on 20 and perhaps 70 % successful on 40 meters(1800
miles).
A good antenna, like a yagi at 60 feet, is BIG help, however as you have read
on the reflector, even folks with modest antennas can and do work DX with QRP.
PS...I am not trying to brag about my accomplishments, but am just trying
to encourage folks to enjoy the next few years, and things WILL GET BETTER.
Rick KL7CW Palmer, Alaska KX1 #
798
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