A search of the mythical Ideal QRP Travel Rig For Vibration-Rich Environments has me, once again, pondering what's out there and coming to the same old conclusion:
That the Elecraft KX2 - manyyears (yes, one word) after its introduction - still has no peer. Eight years old now - a virtual eternity.
Like others, I watch the YouTube infomercials of the latest offerings, hoping to find my unicorn. But lately, rather than compelling me to open my wallet, they reaffirm the value of the radio released back in 2016.
Here's where I'm coming from vs. what's out there - a bit of a backstory (please bear with me):
Nine years ago, I rode most of the off-road motorcycle trail known as the TAT that stretched (at the time - it's longer now) from Tennessee to Oregon, on a single-cylinder Suzuki DR650. Single-cylinder bikes are often called "thumpers" for good reason. I made it to Utah before the obligations of still being employed called me home. That fact bugs me like you have no idea. I almost finished - but didn't.
I had two radios with me: an MTR-3 and an Elecraft KX2. Both performed admirably and survived single-cylinder vibration and the bike being dropped three times on Colorado's Ophir Pass.
The KX2's advantages over the MTR-3 were significant. More bands, built-in ATU and built-in battery. Eight years later, there is nothing that touches the KX2 for versatility and capability under a variety of conditions, because sometimes I want to use my 20m vertical on 17 meters. Yeah, I'm a fan of the built-in ATU. It lets me be lazy and inefficient when the mood strikes, which, lately, is often.
I have an ATU-10, but consolidation matters. Built-in is Best.
So I'm currently searching for a rig that - in 2024 - meets my criteria for motorcycle travel. I've got some (mostly) on-road trips planned with no pesky employer calling me home just as things start to get epic. Somebody else fixes those frickin' radars these days.
The latest offerings are these:
- The CFT-1 from KM4CFT. Five bands and a kit, optimized for POTA-type ops thanks to the simplicity of controls and CW memory capability/ease of initiation. There's a lot to like about this radio and I may get one yet. And there's a lot to be said for simplicity ("just turn on and start making contacts") and - don't take this the wrong way - I value it highly. The less there is, the less there is to go wrong, whether radio or motorcycle. I initially thought it was expensive, but then:
- The MTR-3B Currahee/Curahee. It's spelled it both ways on their website. Three bands. A re-packaged WhatWas,YearsAgo with a band substitution at 3x the price of the old MTR3. No thanks, even with that cool touch paddle. Only 3 bands in 2024? And for $350? Fool's gold is no longer made solely of iron pyrite.
- SW-6B from Venus. Dale looks to have designed a great radio and the price is certainly nice. Built-in battery, front panel controls protected by a plastic or metal lid (the plastic version has been shown as 'Not In Stock' since the radio's initial announcement). There is no ATU but there is an SWR bridge/indicator. The price, 6-band capability and excellent inherant protection would make this radio the leading contender if I didn't already have a KX2. I had an opportunity to test this rig but was leaving for month in Mexico when the offer came. An American operating with an XE prefix - ain't happening...una cuenta para otro dia.
- QMX/QMX+ from QRP Labs. I've had just about every rig QRP Labs has produced. The prices and what the rigs offer are unmatched anywhere else in this hobby. 6-160m for $125 and high performance to boot - amazing! Unfortunately, the QMX will not fit anyone's definition of a "rugged" radio. It has a very narrow range of acceptable input voltages; probably the narrowest of any radio on the market, QRP or not. This is decidedly disadvantageous for a radio likely to be powered by a variety of battery chemistries.
So there ya have it - what I'm looking for, why, and the options out there. Fortunately, I do have a KX2 and it seems to refuse to be obsoleted. Others come close, but the KX2 continues to stand alone.
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Good morning John very nice write up and I too have been surprised how many travel rigs are out there without an antenna tuner. As you said when your out and about in less than ideal conditions an ATU can be very handy to have. The Elecraft ATU's are next to none with the matching range they have. The K3 and KX3 I had were excellent rigs and could tune anything. I agree that an ATU is a must for out and about operations.
ReplyDelete73
Mike
VE9KK
Hi Mike, with the popularity of POTA I'm surprised more rigs designed for outdoor use (IC-705, the upcoming Yaesu equivalent, etc) don't have them. They do add significant expense to a radio though...
Delete73,
John
I agree, the tuner is a big deal in field use.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought; I consider a KX2/3 an economy rig as after a bunch of years I have no itch at all to replace my KX3. I bought it used almost five years ago. One more year and my annual cost is well under $170 per year.
Jim KF9VV
Jim , your comment reminds me of something I've always wondered: Do we buy rigs or do we rent them?! We buy, then sell after a few years. It's as if we rented the rig for $xx/year. Keep it long enough and, as you say, even an expensive rig is good economy.
Delete73,
John
I don't have a KX-2, but my KX-1 is still my gold standard for portability! I 3d printed some rails for my (tr)uSDX that holds a 9v battery, but I still need to find a way to bolt on a z-match tuner.
ReplyDeleteI had a KX1 way back when - it's one I regret selling. Yep, with a built-in ATU. If you ever want to sell yours, drop me a line!
Delete73,
John
Well, I think this post finally made my mind up. I have had a KX3 (bought new when they were released and stupidly sold it), a KX2 (bought used and stupidly sold it), and an IC-705 (and sold it). I currently use an IC-7300 and I recently paid way too much for a K2 but it had all the options except the 100W amp but that was the one option I didn’t want. I’ve made one repair and added the IF out… Wait… I’m getting distracted.
ReplyDeleteI have been vacillating between another KX3, a KX2, and an IC-705. I am retiring in about 18 months and plan on doing some hiking at local parks and thought it would be nice to carry a radio. While SOTA is not out of the question, it’s a 5-hour round trip to the nearest accessible summit(s) so I’ll probably stick with POTA until my wife also retires. I think you’ve made my mind up to get the KX2 and just be done with it. Thanks for the push I needed.
73/72,
Joel, W4JBB
I don't think you'll regret it, Joel. I'm on my 2nd KX2 after foolishly selling my first one, so you and I have been down the same road! There are a lot of awesome small, packable, portable rigs out there these days and I've had a lot of them. But none - zero - have 10-80m coverage, battery, ATU, small size and light weight as features. That's kind of surprising really - eight years on and a ton of Chinese copycatters and yet no KX2-equivalent.
Delete73/72,
John