Welcome to a very fine hobby Ed. As far as a power supply is concerned you didn't exactly specify what type of AC adapter you are planning on using, but if it is a wall wart, I would advise against it. Most of them have no voltage regulation and if the voltage swings high enough above 12 V you could damage your radio. Lack of recognition is also likely to result in chirp on your signal. I think a much better choice would be a small regulated power supply. I have an inexpensive one from RadioShack which I have had for years and has successfully powered a number of small items.
An antenna is a simple thing to build and put up. I would suggest using something like 14 gauge copper coated wire. It's length can be determined by the formula 468/frequency, choosing a frequency somewhere in the middle of the CW band of interest. Once you have the overall length, simply cut the wire in two. You can use an insulator for the center of the antenna. Then attach the end of each dipole wire you just cut to each end of the insulator. Then solder the center conductor of your coax to one of those wires and the shield to the other wire. Solder the other end of the coax to a PL 259 plug and you should be done. After you have upon the antenna up in the air key up the rig and check the SWR if it is too high, that is above 2.0, choose a frequency near the bottom of the band and key the rig while looking at the SWR reading. Then move to the top of the CW band and key it again noting the reading. If the SWR reading is higher at the top of the band that was at the lower end, your dipole is too long. Trim off a few inches from both ends of the dipole, keeping the amount of trim the same, and take the reading again at a frequency in the middle of the CW band. If the SWR has improved you are on the right track. If it is at least below 1.5:1 you may wish to leave it at that. Achieving a 1.0:1 exact match is not all that important. However, if the SWR is still above 2.0:1 trim off a bit more from each end and see what happens. If the SWR reading at the bottom of the band is higher than the reading at the top of the band, your dipole is too short. If you wish to lower the SWR you will have to solder some wire of equal length to each end. That is not the best idea because you must be careful when attaching the lengths of wire to make a mechanically secure connection or the antenna is likely to come apart during the first windstorm. I forgot to mention that the ends of the dipole should be attached to insulators and then to a rope which you can use to secure the antenna to a convenient tree branch or other support. I suspect the foregoing was a lot more than you really wanted to hear, but I remember my first ham experiences when every bit of information I could get was helpful. You may wish to invest in an ARRL antenna book or handbook. Both have a wealth of information for the new ham as well as more experienced hands. Best of luck. I hope to hear you on the air soon. Bruce-W8FU -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Edward Doyle Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 12:58 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KX1 help Howdy, I am new to amateur radio and just upgraded to General a few months ago and have some basic questions on a power supply for the KX1 and how to make a wire antenna. I am going to add the auto tuner and the optional 80 and 30 meter board later. So as far as a power supply can I use an old AC adapter as long as it is within 8 to 14 VDC and if so how should it be connected to the connector for J1. Or would a commercial type application be a better choice. As far as the antenna is concerned what type of wire should be used and how is connected to the connector. I hope that as I start building my kit that these answers will be a little more obvious but I am trying to get as much information as I can before I start building. Thanks, Ed KE7HGA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
