Many thanks to Tim (W8TMI), who shares the following article about his portable field radio kit, which will be featured on our Field Kit Gallery page. If you would like to share your field kit with the QRPer community, read this post.
W8TMI’s Elecraft KH1 Field Kit
by Time (W8TMI)
My Elecraft KH1 field kit is split into two parts: the bag provided with the Edgewood package and a separate bag for added functionality. The Elecraft bag is set up to venture out by itself without anything else required for an activation. The additional bag provides a longer random wire antenna and the ability to get it up into a tree, which increases its gain over the stock whip antenna.
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- Elecraft KH1 Edgewood package
- DIY 13’ 26awg counterpoise (attached to DIY 3 prong counterpoise adapter)
- Elecraft AXE extender
- DIY 20’ 26awg 30m/40m counterpoise extender connected by 2mm banana bullet adapters
- K6ARK wire winder for 20’ counterpoise
- 2.1mm x 5.5 mm barrel adapter to Anderson Powerpole connector for charging
- Tufteln 45° whip adapter
- Tufteln 90° whip adapter
- (as well as the VFO, volume knob, and power switch protector)
- 3.5mm cable for paddle
- N0SA M7 iambic key paddle
- Zebra Mini 0.5mm mechanical pencil
- BNC Binding post adapter
- 41’ random wire radiation element
- 17’ counterpoise under
- K6ARK wire winder printed 20% longer (X2)
- 50’ of 2mm Marlow throw line
- 3 heavy zink nuts attached to throw line
- S-clip to attach random wire to throw line
- Additional 13’ and 20’ counterpoise for KH1 whip
- Cigarette lighter adapter to charge KH1 via vehicle
- Rite in the Rain mechanical pencil
- Rite in the Rain notebook
- MasterForce tool bag
Additional Photos
2mm bullet adapters for counterpoise wires
Primary KH1 bag
Storage setup
Antenna bag
I have zero portable operations experience (other than UHF/VHF HTs), so I say this just as a “funny” observation…. Seems like all you folks in the POTA world really like those Rite in the Rain notebooks, but I don’t see any of you doing activations in the rain 🙂 That should make a good video, complete with lightning and a little thunder.
73 – Love the “gear” posts, just like I love the other articles here. I’ve bought a (tr)uSDX, but I have no antenna, no microphone, no key, no CW skills, etc., so I’m just a “guy who’s gonna do it someday…”
Ha! Yeah, I’m guilty of this, although I do actually operate in the rain from time to time [link to report].
In truth, I use Rite in the Rain most of the time because in the past, I’ve gotten my log books wet not while operating in the rain, but later when hiking or camping in damp conditions. I’ve also spilled stuff on my logbook before and one of my daughters even dropped a raspberry in my bag once while picnicking and it got smashed in my logbook of all places. I couldn’t read some of the callsigns on that page, but I did have a backup photo of the page.
For many of us, though, we just like Rite in the Rain pads. They’re super durable and reliable–not prone to tear or buckle if damp. They’re a bit pricey, but for some of us, they’re worth it. 🙂
Again, we know you’re just joking, but I mention this only because I love these pads for more than just writing in the rain. 🙂
Awesome bits of knowledge 🙂
I switched to Rite in the Rain after a SOTA I did in Marquette Michigan this past fall consisted of a rain/snow mix. My log book was tearing as I wrote. Thankfully I was able to get the activation, but once I came home I went to the store and picked up the waterproof notebook. I’ve activated pedestrian mobile with the KH1 in the snow and the logging tray has paper that got wet from melting snow. Now I need to figure out how to get waterproof paper in the logging tray.
I used to use regular spiral bound notebooks for logging but found that, after a while, they became less paper-like and more like tissue, even though they were never rained on. The effects of humidity are cumulative.
Rite in the Rain is humidity resistant and the paper maintains its texture.
For Tim and others, it seems Rite in the Rain paper is available as All Weather Printer Paper:
https://www.riteintherain.com/printer-paper-20-pound#8511-50
Print the KH1 log sheets on this stuff and slide it into the KH1 logging tray.
Eric, WD8RIF
Amazing. I had no idea this was a thing. Absolutely doing this.
I try not to operate outside in the rain, but will sometimes do so from a shelter or a vehicle. Even if the log book never sees the rain, damp fingers or antenna gear can create a problem after deploying or packing my gear. On the other hand, I do not shy away from operating in the snow. Falling snow, blowing snow, and snow on the ground do not cause problems with the transceiver, but can cause havoc with log books. So, I choose to use Rite-in-the-Rain log books.
Tim – Tnx for sharing your KH1 kits. I’m always trying to increase the efficiency/utility of my KH1 and learned some good tips from your post.
-Wasn’t sure from the write up so could you please clarify on these items ?
1. “Cigarette lighter adapter to charge KH1 via vehicle” – Any problems with this. My 4Runner puts out abt 13.4 v (but not constant) from the cigarette lighter jack and this might be too much charging voltage ?
2. Counterpoises – it looks like you run either three 13′ or 20′ counterpoises with the stock 4′ whip? What’s the choice between the two? Does this increase antenna efficiency significantly ?
TIA de K4RLC Bob
Good afternoon Bob,
1. Page 6 of the KH1 manual, “ The battery pack can be internally recharged at a C/10 rate (~250 mA) using a KHIBC1 internal charger. In
this case, charging voltage (nominally ~14 V, minimum 12 V) is provided by the same supply that operates
the radio. A KXBC2 external fast-charger can also be used (see cautions below.)”
Which would mean your 4Runner puts out exactly what is needed for a good charge. My Forester puts power to the cigarette lighter even when it’s off, so I can get it close to full without running the vehicle and can top it off while driving around.
2. I use the 13’ section of counterpoise for the stock 4’ whip on 15m-20m, I add the 20’ section of counterpoise when I use the AXE (AX1 extender) for 30m and 40m.
Feel free to email me with any further questions or request of pictures. My QRZ email is good.
-Tim, W8TMI
Hey Tim – oh no, you read the manual 🙂 I keep a real time voltage meter on the 4Runner cigarette lighter jack…voltage is variable and peaked at 14v yesterday. There has been lots of discussion on the Elecraft GroupsIO about cautions in charging KH1. The jack is cold when ignition is off. Imagine voltage output is stable when engine is not running in your Forrester.
-Radials for stock whip – I know it’s not politically correct but the KH1 is not my favorite. Also, have the KX1, KX2, KX3, MTR3b (and others) and KX2 remains my most reliable & dependable QRP rig. I’ve had to run ext ants with the KH1 to complete activations (SOTA & overseas), which is a hassle. It’s an empirical question so I’ll add 2 other radials to stock antenna & see if that makes a difference.
Thanks for your post….your set-up looks really clean and efficient.
Best de K4RLC Bob
Tim, thanks for the kit description, that’s great to see what works for others.
I have plans to hike the Appalachian trail this year starting in May after I officially retire, so I’ve gone the opposite direction to minimize weight. At 16.4 ounces, I have a KH1 with the Edgewood options and with 12 pages of logging paper, ear buds, the whip antenna and 13’ counterpoise, all within a neoprene cell phone case which zips closed. That will get me three bands while I’m hiking to play with, for just over one pound of weight. In the support RV, I will have the Edgewood case with charging cables, the BNC binding post adapter, an AX2 antenna with two 33’ counterpoise wires for the nights that I meet up with my wife (roughly weekly). We will see how it goes, whether I actually have the energy to play while hiking, or just leave it all in the rv to play with when I’m resting.
I hope you keep us updated about your hike, Mark, and that you do fit in some KH1 time. Consider writing some guest posts!
Cheers,
Thomas