So I've got a KX2. Now what?

Equipment Radios & Power
1

Hello!

So I caved. Sat on the fence for about a year or so pondering buying an IC-705, then a KX2 and KX3, then along comes the Yaesu FTX-1F (well, coming along at least, it’s not ‘here’ yet) to melt my head decision-making.

Out of nowhere, spotted a KX2 with the ATU, internal battery and the official CW paddle. No box or manual though. From a well-known UK retailer, serviced and with a bit of warranty for a smidge over a bag of sand and a tonne (in €) delivered (top tip: use Revolut and pay in local currency for fee-free FOREX and a better rate, I saved a further €22-ish) - that’s import tax and all the rest of it accounted for, so no need to reach for the defibrilator when DHL come knocking on my door.

I always wanted to get the ATU (save lugging my MAT-30 around) and did consider the CW key too for future purchase, so the bundle stood out for these extras.

I know said ‘well-known retailer’ usually asks strong coin for stuff, but here in EI I rarely see a KX2 for sale (certainly never seen one domestically) and ones that show up on the used market seem to disappear fairly sharpish, hence pulling the trigger today.

I’m hoping a bag of sand (give or take) was a decent deal for all the aforementioned.

Anyway. So now I am due to be the owner of the seemingly universally revered KX2, what do I do now in order to kit it out for POTA and SOTA (voice and CW)?

I’ve a JPC PAC-12 which I love. Used it almost all of last year with my FT-891 (which I’m keeping as it’s 100w and just, well, a divine radio - in my opinion). I’d be keen to try something a bit more portable though than that. Like an AX1 or something. Or some sort of quick to erect (careful now) wire antenna?

I’ve also read about cases. Whats a good one? The Lowe Pro one maybe? Or a Pelikan? I’m not quite ready to build one myself yet. I’m heading away next week so wouldn’t mind taking the KX2 along with me, if it arrives before I leave. Worst case scenario I take the trusty JPC PAC-12 with me and FT65 for a bit of cheeky 2m and 70cm action!

What else would you put on the shopping list? Only caveats are a) nothing I’d need to take out a bank loan for and b) no stuff that’s a load of old pony… Oh and c) I can’t 3D print anything (at the minute).

Thanks for your help all. Glad to be a member of the KX2 owners club. :blush:

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Congratulations on the new toy.

I’m not going to wade into the dangerous territory of short miraculous whip antennas, I do like my full length wires.

I use a neoprene camera lens pouch as a first protection layer for my KX2, followed by a VR headset rigid case to keep it together with its accessories. They are both relatively inexpensive items that can be had for significantly lower sums than the semi-official Lowe case.

If you don’t have them already I would suggest an external “12V” 2-3Ah LiFePO4 battery and a backup paddle.

Have fun.

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I have a LifePO4 battery which I use for my FT891. Not 2-3Ah though. Can a KX2 be powered via a PC Power Bank? I power my QMX with one.

I have a hefty straight key and also a Putikeeg paddle (the little silver butterfly looking thing). Both are just cheap Aliexpress purchases. I’m nowhere near good enough at CW to even think about a Begali yet.

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They’re quite flexible in the voltage range they accept, if it can provide 12V under load you’re gold.
The suggestion about capacity was more related to size and weight, I’d imagine that the one you’re using for the 100W rig being quite hefty.

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Welcome to the KX-2 club Ian @EI3LH. I should have bought one years ago…

Anyway, I use mine with a small Lowepro case, the CS-40:

Using that case, I can fit in the KX-2, one of Dave’s microphones (@M0JKS) and a spare KXBT2 lithium battery.

We still use the Sotabeams linked dipole for 40/20 and/or 17/15, despite having the option of an ATU. These dipoles have taken us almost to MG, with the odd 2m activation on a handie where needed.

I tried using the KX-2 with a JPC-12 antenna a few weeks ago and it was a bit disappointing. I was at sea level, but even so, I found it very hard to activate the little island I was on. I should have just taken the dipole, as that is generally 100% reliable for contacts.

73, Simon

PS: £1k sounds about right. I got mine from the USA, and it cost a little bit more than you paid. I’m not saying how much, as my wife Nic reads this reflector…

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I would suggest get out and operate in the field, a lot. Doesn’t have to be SOTA necessarily, but experience with lightweight field operations will help you dial in your gear for SOTA.

Over the years, I have landed on a 355mm long clipboard as my “laptop” for operating – my Modern Morse key attaches to it with some 3M dual-loc, and my notepad is held down by the big clip at the end. I send left-handed, and write right-handed.

As for the KX2, great choice – mine has never let me down. Note that they overheat quickly, so on those 3 or 4 days where the UK gets some sun, you might want to cover it with your hat.

They can run off small LiPO batteries, and if you dial back the power (1-5W) they’ll last at least all day.

Good luck, have fun, hope to work you on the air!

Jim KK0U

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100% agree. I don’t have a QTH shack, at all. Everything I do it outdoors. Mostly POTA and the odd SOTA. I did all my activations last year with my FT-891 and the JPC PAC-12. Totally agree about the lightweight part, that setup was very heavy in comparison.

I don’t think Sotabeams ship to the EU unfortunately so I’m scuppered there. Also I have the IQ of a bubble in a Malteser when it comes to guying a mast (I’ve 7m and 10m heavy duty masts from Wimo) and have failed miserably every time trying to put them up, even testing the setup in the back garden. God loves a trier though so I can have another go, maybe I’ve the wrong kit for it, I dunno.

A small hard case would be great. I got inspired by this fella on YouTube who does trail running and CW on his runs. I love trail running so could see chucking the KX2 in a Salomon vest as an option perhaps, just for the craic see how it works out. That’s where I thought about the AX-1, or even the Diamond RHM-12 (I was asking about this one on this reflector a while back). Pricey whips though.

So I dunno. In a bit of a quandry about it. I’d love for something portable and super quick to get in the air/on the air that even a clumsy oaf like myself could get up and running in a couple of minutes and start tapping away on the key or mumbling CQ CQ CQ… down the blower asap.

Are there any other useful little niknaks for the KX2? A protective cover? Any aftermarket things that make life better? e.g. the AX-1 elbow thing that @K6ARK (I think it was him anyway) made?

Anything for the KX-2 that you wouldn’t suggest getting? Stuff that is straight up pony or looks good but turns out to be a load of old cobblers?

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A 3D printer to make them all yourself.

Congrats on the new radio! I enjoy a random wire straight into a banana to bnc adapter.

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I’ve taken to guying one of my walking poles with three 1m cords, each with a slip knot to drop onto the handle, and a loop the other end for a peg. I then attaching the antenna pole to that with a bungee. This is easy to handle even in high wind. If there is a handy fence post / rock / tree, of course I bungee to that…

I can’t comment on the KX2, except that I’d like one!

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Re: your mast setup, one thing you might try on that 10m mast is an EFHW for 20m run up the pole as a vertical. A bit of counterpoise wire on the 49:1 transformer helps. This is the setup I’m taking to DE/UK/GM this summer.

Works FB on 20m, for 30 and 40m I short across the transformer, choke the snot out of the radio end of the coax, and run it into a little L-tuner I built for my QMX. For the KX2, let its internal tuner do the work. Works pretty well.

73, Jim KK0U

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Good call. This was something I wanted to have a go at but I don’t have a 49:1. I do have a LDG 9:1 unun and a LDG 1:1 unun though so could do something else for EFHW perhaps?

Problem with me is I’ll get the mast up in a test run in the back garden, then head out on a POTA and end up injuring someone when it topples over from mediocre guying or an excited dog in heat out on a walk decides to give it a seeing to.

Hence my preference for a bit of the aul telescopic antenna action. :slight_smile:

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First of all, congratulations on the KX2… a good decision.

With the built-in ATU, you already have the most important things with you! The built-in battery is also good… but many (including me) only use it as a backup. For a single activation that doesn’t last for hours, it’s fine.

How you prefer to transport it depends on your individual needs. Some people like to have separate bags for everything… others prefer to have everything together in one bag. Unfortunately, the Lowepro Viewpoint CS series is no longer available new. The CS 60 model is also being sold by Elecraft. I’m a fan of the CS 80 size. If you can still find one, buy it!

The successor model, the hardside CS 80, isn’t quite as good anymore…

In the long run, a plastic hood on the side panels (preferably with a heat sink) is advantageous.

The KX2’s ATU is legendary… and a 6m mast (Decathlon or other) is light and inexpensive and sufficient for wires. I use 0.14mm² stranded wire… (with yellow insulation so I can find it in the forest). A 16m wire with 1:9 Unun is better than a 5m telescopic antenna.

But you’ll have your own experiences, and I hope you enjoy it.

73 Armin

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As others have said, congratulations on making the right decisions and choosing the KX2. Below is a shopping list of all the bits and bobs I carry with mine when out doing a SOTA activation:

  1. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/lakeside-telescopic-travel-rod-100-4-m/_/R-p-334264?mc=8648742&c=green+olive

  2. WINDCAMP X2 Shield Kits Cover Case für ELECRAFT KX2 Transceiver HAM - AliExpress 202192403

  3. AE5X: Video: A test of M0JKS's aftermarket mic for KX2/KX3 radios

  4. Band Hopper IV - Four-band (20m,30m,40m,80m) portable dipole antenna system - SOTABEAMS

  5. ViewPoint CS 40 - LP36915-PWW | Lowepro UK

  6. MDR-ZX310 / ZX310AP Headphones | MDR-ZX310 / MDR-ZX310AP | Sony United Kingdom

  7. XT60 Stecker Rundstecker auf Stecker DC DC5525 Stromkabel 5,5 x 2,5 mm Adapter für TS101 PINE64 elektronischer Lötkolben - AliExpress 1420

Dave

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Thanks for the links, greatly appreciated!

That last thing looks class. I thought it was an HDMI cable at first! I need to find a LiPo battery though too. Easier said than done as no sod seems to have any that ship to EI.

I bought the Windcamp KX2 kit yesterday from Aloexpress. Different seller though (and paid about €10 more alas).

Saw a video by @MM0EFI yesterday about compact mics. I bought a pack of those Baofeng knock offs and some TRS connectors and am going to have a go building one myself soon.

Headphones I’m all set for now. Someone posted about some similar Sony ones yesterday which I got from Amazon for about €17. Also got those Sony earbuds a while back that cost about 7p.

With masts I have the Wimo 10m HD fiberglass, Wimo 7m non-HD fiberglass and also a 7m Decathlon fishing pole thing that everyone says is a good buy.

Antenna-wise I’ve the JPC PAC-12 (which I love to bits, use it for everything since I got licensed last year - I’ll very likely use it when I first receive the KX2, hopefully next week). Also have a Chameleon LEFS 8010 but it’s a bit of a pain in the bum to put up out in the field. I tried at a park earlier this week. Got it up in a tree etc but the green wire is so stealthy you can’t see it and with dogs and little ones running around it had me thinking more of safety than getting on the air. Chucked it on the RigExpert and got an SWR of 3.something. Weather turned fairly quickly and I was wrecked after just doing a trail run so packed up and drove home.

Keys-wise I’ve a Putikeeg silver butterfly thing from Aliexpress and a normal, hefty, straight key I got from Amazon (that I done my CW license exam on!). I’m not a head of state, a billionaire, nor do I wear a crown, so I’m not allowed a Begali. :cry:

Looking in to a case though thinking a hard case would be better for protection. Particularly when on trails.

I tried again to get some Sotabeams stuff but they still will not ship to the EU so that’s dead in the water for now. I can use a UK forwarding address but then it’s double taxes, fees etc. Wimo do some stuff from Sotabeams but the range is very limited.

Probably better off trying to build my own antenna. I’d like to try but nobody ever seems to actually spell it out what the actual build process is, including bill of materials. Most videos or articles just seem to be “i made X antenna and did X for X because its resonant on X with a wossname doobery blah blah blah flee floo Chris Waddle”.

I got a copy of RSGB Successful Wire Antennas (basically Practical Wire Antennas 3 - i emailed RSGB to ask if it was a follow up to the first two books aside from the name) which is decent to flip through, but even that doesn’t have anything step by step or bills of materials.

Loads to think about though and greatly appreciate everyone’s feedback it’s really useful and encouraging. Thanks all.

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A fine choice! I love the ability to stick mine in a bag so on the rare occasions I’m able to play radio when out with the family.

Just to add another case into the mix, I grabbed a Seahorse SE56 case (from Amazon, but they seem to be available elsewhere now) and remixed SA2CLC’s printable inlay to give me a bit more space.

IMG_8781
IMG_87813024×4032 2.24 MB

I’ve since been reworking it entirely to tidy up further.

IMG_0173
IMG_01735712×4284 3.73 MB

Making use of a few of the fantastic prints here.

IMG_0170
IMG_01703024×4032 2.34 MB

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They can ship to GI though. Get a GI ham to buy it and shipped to their QTH and you go an collect it and buy them a beer for their trouble.

Buy wire, maybe ferrites, plugs, coax. Cut wire to length, wind on ferrite, cut antenna wire to length, solder on plug and to ferrites (if they are needed). Can’t solder? Buy plugs/coax and practice. Join your local club, find an “elmer”. Every club has someone who is happy to help you learn how. Especially in exchange for alcohol :slight_smile:

Youtube is full of videos on how to do it. Some good, some bad. Watch many and talk to your elmer. Some videos take 40mins to show you how to do a 1min job because the author loves the sound of their own voice! Check out videos from 2 SOTA guys, Fraser MM0EFI and Adam K6ARK to start with. No nonsense, practical videos full of fact and useful info. (There are others from the SOTA community but these two were the first to come to mind)

Don’t buy cheap solder, it’s rubbish and will ruin your soldering iron bits. Buy some decent leaded solder and it will last you a long time. https://uk.farnell.com/multicore-loctite/610021/solder-wire-crystal-511-0-71mm/dp/610021 and Farnell have EI store so no problems getting it.

Wire antennas can be made from think PVC covered hookup wire. A 50m roll of pink 26AWG wire: 16AWG~30AWG Gauge Electric Wire Tinned Copper Flexible PVC Hookup Multicolor | eBay is about €17 and it comes from China so ebay will handle the VAT etc.

If you have never made antennas before build a dipole. It’s two lengths of hookup wire and some coax. It’s pretty difficult to get wrong. When it works, adapt it to a link dipole (pull links for different bands). When you can do that and solder without burning your fingers to stumps, make the more exotic antennas that need coils winding on ferrites. You have got to learn to crawl before running.

You can buy all the antennas you need. There’s no fun it that. And when it doesn’t work how will you fix it?

The important thing is ham radio is a learning exercise. A continuous learning exercise, ask people who have been licenced 50+ years and/or work in electronics who are still learning and enjoying learning. So finding a club and elmers is important when you start out.

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Ask a question and get 100 different answers.

My version - Unless I’m going super lightweight, when the KX2 goes into my GoPro case, then I carry a small shack in a bag:
https://youtu.be/FNyOwFGPMl0?si=QECFQAMoV1N6B1qK

It’s been the best £15 I’ve spent, and I know a few other guys have one as well, since seeing my video.

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I got 2 rolls of 30m 20 awg wire and one of those banana BNC things that cost about 5p. LDG 9:1 unun and an LDG 1:1 unun. Maybe I could make a random wire vertical with those to try out? This is the wire I got (but the yellow 20 awg version):

https://amzn.eu/d/fsc7n7P

That RSGB book is handy as it has a chart in it with random length wire suggestions.

Thanks also @MM0FMF for the tips, definitely going to look in to building antennas and experimenting.

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I’m probably going to get one of those for my 705. I made bags out of bubblewrap as I am too mean to spend lots of money on official bags. But the KX2 bubblewrap bag started to fail and I treated myself to a Lowepro Viewpoint CS40 for £10 from ebay. The KX2 with Side KX panels and lid and its power cable just fits. But that’s OK because I have 2 different SOTA radios and so have one box of common accessories (fuses, morse key, pencils etc.) so the only thing that doesn’t fit is the microphone. It would be nice if it did but I have a checklist when swapping the radios in the rucksack to tell me to carry the correct mic. That will fail one day!

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Converting a sensible 20m to “old-money”… 20m = 2000cm = 787.4in = 65.6ft

41ft + 17ft = 58ft, cut off those lengths leaving you 2.13m of wire to use for something else.

Connect it up, rig it on pole, hit ATU button, wait for “brrrp, brrrp, brrrp”, job done. The performance will be affected by how you rig the antenna (vertical, sloper, inv-L / inv-7) and how high the ends of the antenna are above ground. Make notes of how you set up, then when you get home compare your log with what people were working on sites like DXHeat.com. Try a different physical arrangement next time, log and compare. Repeat. Learn how it works and how the setup can change things.

You may find it works better on 10/12m if you wind the counterpoise up so it’s about 8ft long. Try it, log results, compare and contrast with long counterpoise. :slight_smile:

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