That is a kool vintage QRP rig. Man, you held it together well with the QRM. I would have lost it and said a few words that you don’t say around moms. So true , you more you try your equipment the more you learn how to improvise around problems . Great video 👍🏻!
Cool video, Evan! I never actually used it with AAs, so it was fun to see how they did. If I still had any KX1s, I think I might pull the AA tray and put a LiPO battery in there instead.
Yeah, I've considered it. I actually have a 4 AA holder with four 3.2v LiFePO4 batteries in it. That thing will power my SW-3B all day long, so it'd probably do fine in the KX1. I'm just not sure I want to monkey with it because it's pretty much irreplaceable. If I break it, that's all she wrote, and that would be bad
Hello Evan! Always listening to these during work! This weekend is the cqww cw,time to speed up 😊! Cold has settled here already, hands freezing, the kx2 paddle is already failing, bamakey failing I might use the begali adventure this weekend. I’m interested in getting one of those kx2 capacitive key. Since i know your conditions during winter are similar to mine, do these paddles work well during winter? Also, any interest selling yours? 73
The keying issue was actually the center post coming loose. I had no idea. I figured it out after the fact. I took everything apart, tightened it up, put it back together, and it's good to go now.
Two suggestions. (1) That 41 ft wire is a bit short of a half wave on 30 m. No wonder the limited tuner inside the KX1 had problems with it. Try something like 50 ft, a bit more than a half wave on 30 m, well short of a half wave on 40 m, and about 3/4 wave long on 20 m. (2) As K8BMA says the keying difficulties show that you may be having RF problems since the KX1 seems to be known to be susceptible to this. If you're going to use a random wire plus counterpoise, try a common mode choke close to the rig with the output side of the choke feeding the antenna and counterpoise (get it polarized correctly!) and perhaps a minimal earth ground (stick a screwdriver into the earth) on the rig side of the choke. David VE7EZM and AF7BZ
The keying problems were the key itself. The center post was coming loose, and I didn't realize it. I took it apart and tightened everything up and now it works like a charm. As for the wire length, yeah, I knew it might be an issue, but it's what I had to work with at the time. I have a 71' wire too, but it wouldn't fit inside that case. That was the trick. Everything had to fit in that box.
Do you have a video that compares features of your portable radios? I am learning cw (only about 10 wpm so far) and I have told myself when I am comfortable at 15 I will treat myself to a portable radio. I don’t want to pay new Elecraft money, but want something nice. Any suggestions? I like the memory feature. Thanks for your videos!
There are several. Check out my gear playlist and my activators guide playlist. If you want a CW only radio with memories, I'd recommend an LNR Precision MTR4B. They only make 25 a month, and they go on sale the first day of every month. Once they're gone, they're gone for the month.
I have a G90. The G90 is twice the size and five times the weight of this entire kit.....before you add in the battery, antenna, CW key (or mic if you're so inclined) etc. It's apples and oranges
That is a kool vintage QRP rig. Man, you held it together well with the QRM. I would have lost it and said a few words that you don’t say around moms. So true , you more you try your equipment the more you learn how to improvise around problems . Great video 👍🏻!
Thanks man!
Love that KX1! You were lucky to pick one up!
Yeah, they're TOUGH to get!
Cool video, Evan! I never actually used it with AAs, so it was fun to see how they did. If I still had any KX1s, I think I might pull the AA tray and put a LiPO battery in there instead.
Yeah, I've considered it. I actually have a 4 AA holder with four 3.2v LiFePO4 batteries in it. That thing will power my SW-3B all day long, so it'd probably do fine in the KX1. I'm just not sure I want to monkey with it because it's pretty much irreplaceable. If I break it, that's all she wrote, and that would be bad
Hello Evan! Always listening to these during work! This weekend is the cqww cw,time to speed up 😊!
Cold has settled here already, hands freezing, the kx2 paddle is already failing, bamakey failing I might use the begali adventure this weekend.
I’m interested in getting one of those kx2 capacitive key. Since i know your conditions during winter are similar to mine, do these paddles work well during winter? Also, any interest selling yours?
73
You might try a cap across the key. RFI? Seen this with K4SWL's KX1
K8BMA
The keying issue was actually the center post coming loose. I had no idea. I figured it out after the fact. I took everything apart, tightened it up, put it back together, and it's good to go now.
Two suggestions.
(1) That 41 ft wire is a bit short of a half wave on 30 m. No wonder the limited tuner inside the KX1 had problems with it. Try something like 50 ft, a bit more than a half wave on 30 m, well short of a half wave on 40 m, and about 3/4 wave long on 20 m.
(2) As K8BMA says the keying difficulties show that you may be having RF problems since the KX1 seems to be known to be susceptible to this. If you're going to use a random wire plus counterpoise, try a common mode choke close to the rig with the output side of the choke feeding the antenna and counterpoise (get it polarized correctly!) and perhaps a minimal earth ground (stick a screwdriver into the earth) on the rig side of the choke.
David VE7EZM and AF7BZ
The keying problems were the key itself. The center post was coming loose, and I didn't realize it. I took it apart and tightened everything up and now it works like a charm. As for the wire length, yeah, I knew it might be an issue, but it's what I had to work with at the time. I have a 71' wire too, but it wouldn't fit inside that case. That was the trick. Everything had to fit in that box.
Do you have a video that compares features of your portable radios? I am learning cw (only about 10 wpm so far) and I have told myself when I am comfortable at 15 I will treat myself to a portable radio. I don’t want to pay new Elecraft money, but want something nice. Any suggestions? I like the memory feature. Thanks for your videos!
There are several. Check out my gear playlist and my activators guide playlist. If you want a CW only radio with memories, I'd recommend an LNR Precision MTR4B. They only make 25 a month, and they go on sale the first day of every month. Once they're gone, they're gone for the month.
So your minimum kit consists of a small Pelican case with a small amount of radio stuff and truck for everything else? 🤣
LOL yes. Precisely
Just get a G90
I have a G90. The G90 is twice the size and five times the weight of this entire kit.....before you add in the battery, antenna, CW key (or mic if you're so inclined) etc. It's apples and oranges