Hi all,
For those interested, I built a new setup using a light “random length” wire and 300g squid pole for use with a KX1.
Blog post at: Preparing the KX1 for SOTA battle « waynemerry
73 de Wayne VK3WAM
In reply to VK3WAM:
Far from a random wire I would suggest. You have carefully selected a suitable length for your application.
I used to use an identical set up myself in the earlier days of SOTA.
73 Richard G3CWI
In reply to VK3WAM:
I`m looking at the same lightweight setup.
Just got the KX1 with the KX1 with 30/80 module and tuner, from the builder 
For longer hikes, the KX1 with some meters of wire for the antenna, realy helps cutting weight in the backpack!
In reply to G3CWI:
Far from a random wire I would suggest.
Hence the quotation marks. I wonder where the random wire name came from. Nonetheless it seems a very lightweight approach to take, and will travel well. I might have to go to W and G next year for work, so perhaps I can slip out for a few days and use it on GW/NW-001
73 de Wayne VK3WAM
My regular setup is a KX1, 20M EFHW and ultralight fishing pole. The KX1 ATU easily tunes the 20M EFHW for 30M with good results. I only operate 20M and 30M on outings with this setup.
73, Barry N1EU
In reply to VK3WAM:
For those interested, I put a blog post about my experience with this wire and the KX1 at:
73 de Wayne VK3WAM
In reply to VK3WAM:
Nice to work you so many times Wayne on this activation, night shift can have benefits chasing day time activators. I enjoyed you detailed account of the battery voltage and current to power and antenna tuning ratios on your blog. My kx3 is very particular if the battery is getting low and the tuner needs to pull a hard tune on a dodgy impedance, it give a high current warning and cuts to half power. In your case the kx1 was a lot lower power to start out the kx3 cuts to 5 watts around your maximum but I must say it was the best signal I have heard from you with very little difference on 20 or 30m . The trick now is getting a wire length that will allow lower frequency tuning on 40m and not compromise the higher bands. Great job and WOT still green grass in December poor old scorched vk5 only looks like that during winter.
73 de Ian vk5cz …