Note that there is a bug in the file viewer.  To see the overview pic which is a panorama, click on it.....

Last year, I only had the KX3, and did not want to attempt field day as a QRP on SSB.  It is honestly just a bit too challenging for me.  So I used my home rig out  in the desert which was nice, but not even remotely energy efficient.  Since then, I purchase the KXPA100 kit, and have been using it on remote operations all over Utah since receiving it.  I really felt confident in this combination, and decided to run it as my only rig for Field Day.  Tied to a windows tablet running HRD, HDSDR, and N1MM logging software, it sure looked like I had a winning combination.

I really enjoy remote operations and operate this as a true 1B1 in that my setup is totally solar powered.  It is designed such that I could operate continuously for an extended period of time.  Even my coolers are solar powered, so I have cold drinks in one cooler, and food in another.  In that guise, I had three solar panels total.  One was mounted on the truck permanently, and two are chained on using power poles.  This allows me quick setup and tear down.  I headed down to the field day site right after work on Friday, and setup the main antenna and ‘shack’ upon arriving.  The main antenna is an 80m full wave delta loop on a 24 foot painters pole in a vertical orientation.  It was setup on the edge of a cliff facing east to give me the biggest terrain advantage towards the majority of the US.  It was fed with 450 ohm window line with a swappable 1:1 or 4:1 current balun.  I fired everything up, a few contacts were made, then it was time to hang out by the fire with the XYL and relax before the big event.

The next morning I awoke at sunrise, lit the fire, and made coffee.  The setup this morning was getting the extra solar panels up, putting up my backup antenna ( a G5RV on a painters pole in inverted V fashion ), and getting things ready for the big event ( like lighting a bunch of bug coils to keep the cedar gnats in check ).  As the start approached, I could see the bands begin to light up on HDSDR, and then noon hit.  Yikes, where is a dead spot?

I made many contacts on 20m immediately.  I was able to find a spot and put out CQ, and immediately got a bunch of responses.  QRM was tough, but the filtering on the KX3 came through for me, as I figured out how best to use it.  15m was dead, but as the day progressed 40m, then 80m, then 160m paid off.  Finally, at 1:30am after several kangaroo rats ran over my feet, I decided to have a beverage by the fire, stare at the amazing milky way ( it was a new moon ), then head to bed.

The next morning started out good at 7am with coffee and 40m.  20m then became active for me and I ran quite a few pile ups.  Finally, some strong station dropped right on top of me and drove me off.  I decided to give 15m another chance, as it has often been a winner for me.  Well it really opened up, and really paid off.  I ran constant pile ups for the last 2 hours of the event, keeping a rate of over 100 contacts per hour ( according to n1mm ).

By the end of it all, I had 572 contacts, all SSB.  This is over double of what I made last year.  Not bad for one guy out in the desert by himself.

I believe the Elecraft KX line really paid off.  It is one of the best decisions I made.

Jim Olsen

K7JEO