Elecraft KX3 & KX2 are excellent radios for handheld portable HF operation.
Elecraft KX2 is the better option for handheld portable HF operation, mainly for its compact construction, lightness, built-in microphone and XMT push-button on the front panel (the KX3 also has an XMT button).
The combining of all these resources opens a new world of exploration for handheld portable HF operation.
However, my multi-focal glasses have come to be a significant barrier to my handheld portable HF operations.
During a QSO I struggle to accurately see the XMT button on the front panel and press it (touch to talk – touch to listen) while simultaneously aiming for the front panel MIC hole to speak. This is a very simple task for a younger Ham but not so much for a 67 year old with confusing multi-focal glasses.
On the following photos I demonstrate how easy and cheap it is to make this add-on accessory for the Elecraft KX2 and KX3 transceivers with parts that any Ham will have at home while keeping your transceiver safe with no internal circuit interventions.
Following this article is a sequence of photos of a homemade 40m base loaded portable antenna made with a Buddipole 71-inch whip with the loading coil mounted inside a common marker.
All you need to add to the project is a 1.5 X 1 inch PC board and a pushbutton.
External Mic and PTT for the Elecraft KX2 & KX3 ready to be installed.
Remove the metal feet and keep it on a safe place.
PTT wire routing
PTT wire hidden by plastic tape
The 40 meters Marker Whip Portable Antenna
Here is a sequence of photos of my homebrew 40 meters base loaded portable antenna made with a Featherweight 72 Inches Buddipole whip and the loading coil mounted inside the marker.
Counterpoise wire dimension for 40 Meters: 33 Feet.
The marker ready for a 40 meters homebrew base loaded antenna.
The coil was tuned on 40 meters using an antenna analyzer.
Home brew 40 meters base loaded portable antenna final assembling.
