KX2s have a reputation for overheating. I’ve only had mine overheat once in 200 activations. But since then, I try to keep it out of the sun. That’s difficult because I keep the rig on a clipboard strapped to my knee.
But when I feel the rig getting hot, I put my special KX2 cooler on the rig and it keeps it cool.
Note: my head seems to take the heat a lot better than the rig.
Pat-
For W7Y, that hat must be either Resistol or Stetson. Either way, the hat enjoys dealing with a warm radio much more than a warm and (really) sweaty head.
73 and be careful out there.
Greg, W7GA
Why not keep yourself and your KX2 cool with a carbon fibre trekking umbrella. In summer, you only need take a light windproof in case of bad weather as the umbrella will keep the worst off (provided it’s not too windy).
73 de OE6FEG
Matt
My XYL used to work (till she retired) for a company that makes hot stamping foil. She got me some material that failed QC inspection and I use it to make KX2 survival blankets… i.e. a highly reflective sunshade for the radio. A 50cmx50cm shade weighs around 5g and folds down to nothing in volume.
This is nearly the same material that is used in survival blankets… metallised mylar polyester film. The difference is stamping foil sheds the metallisation easier than a survival blanket. But as she got me a roll 2m * 100m I have a lifetime supply 
Have you ever used one in GM?
On a serious note, on those occasions where I’m operating in bright (hot) sunshine I like to have the sun behind me (so it’s not in my eyes). I sit in my portable chair with the KX2 on my rucksack below me and between my legs. My shadow helps me read the LCD and [when needed] stops the rig from overheating in direct sunlight.
I have a wide-brimmed hat for my head [see my icon photo] - very important.
Many times. 
Used it a week last Friday on Fiarach although that was with the 705, It comes out whenever the radio is in direct sunlight. I could have done with another piece for the transverter as well. It was also used in the past because the old 817 and its case used to get stinking hot in direct sunlight.
Here’s an annotated picture, zoomed so not high res.
EDIT: I knew there was a better picture. Here it is covering my old 817 on GM/SS-010.
Yeah, just kidding. I know, especially in mid summer with those long hours of daylight in GM. Even on mainly lightly overcast days [like today] some UV gets through. And when the sun does come out [like it’s done this afternoon] the direct sunlight and high humidity can make it uncomfortable whether walking or operating.
I was hoping for leaked product photos of an Elecraft battery powered cooler that featured KX2 integration.
In situations where direct sunlight cannot be avoided in any other way, I use one of the two seat pads that I always carry in my backpack.
This solution is also very suitable as a protective pad, e.g. to keep moisture and vermin away, hi.
Exactly. A $500 KX2 cooler that says Elecraft on it
Until then, I’ll stick with my $30 Outdoor Research hat.
I use one of these all the time. They are very effective. I sit with my back to the sun in a chair and just prop this over a shoulder. It keeps me and the radio cool. I like your rig to attach it to the chair, however. I may have to look into getting one of those.
Also, more than once I have hiked with this umbrella. Once again, it is amazing how much cooler you feel, especially if there is even a light breeze.
That looks like the stuff they made the lunar modules from = nasa approved = sell it on ebay for £10/cm.
It is hot in Arizona and we wear bigger hats.
Dale
AA7OY
In Arizona you need an umbrella not a hat.
So I have one of those PowerFilm Solar Max battery/panel combo things. The battery case is painted black and in direct sun… sometimes will overheat. Manufacturer recommends just tucking the battery under the panel, but I can’t be bothered with rational solutions. Strange for a solar panel to overheat in direct sun and unlike the kx2 shading it really didn’t make sense. SO… I went down the rabbit hole researching paints that are highly emissive in the IR sky window. That led me to making my own acrylic paint (easy) with BaSO₄ (cheap) as the pigment.
You can follow my journey over on the mastodon thread (link at the bottom.) My recipe is 60% pigment by volume the rest is matte liquitex acrylic binder. So 24ml BaSO₄ 16ml liquitex.
I used just enough 70% isopropyl alcohol to wet the pigment then mulled it on a glass sheet with a heavy block of glass and finally added the acrylic and mulled that too.
Bottom line… I ended up painting my KX2 as well and have had it that way for about a year. Qualitatively, the panel doesn’t overheat now and is just warm to the touch and the KX2 is substantially cooler in direct sun as well. Also… I keep my hat… on my head where it belongs hi hi.
