Many thanks to Dean (KG7WGX) for sharing 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.

KX3 Field Kit

by Dean (KG7WGX)

I have used Pelican boxes in the 1150 size for years for transporting my KX3, PX3, keys, and a 10Ah battery. A few months ago, I tried to devise something that would let me take just the KX3 for “pack it in” operations, in one of the 1150 boxes.

I wanted the radio, battery, earbuds, paddles and a mini-mike to fit in the waterproof box. Whatever antenna I decided to take could be packed in a stuff bag separately. This would also apply to a kneeboard & chair (if I wasn’t going very far.)

The first picture shows the antenna bag, 20ft mast and the Pelican box:

Tbe second picture shows the components laid out:

The third picture shows how the battery, earbuds, paddles and mini-mic fit inside the Pelican box:

Gear links:

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Elecraft KX3
Shure SE112 earbuds
Pelican 1150 case
Elecraft KXPD3 paddles
M0JKS mini-mike
Bioenno BLF-1203AB battery
Balun Designs 9:1 Unun
Tufteln choke
Tufteln KX3 cover
Explorer 20 mast
25 ft RG316 coax
36 ft 18 ga wire for EF random
(2) winders
(5) aluminum tent stakes
home-made “anti kickout” support
home-made guyline ring & collar
(2) zip earbud cases
KX3 to Powerpole cable

Notes:

Balun Designs standard RF connectors are SO-239 but a BNC connector is available for small additional charge. The 9130 has a hole for a support line, so I attached approx 10 ft of paracord to lift it above ground level.
Guy line collar attached to Explorer 20 mast at section “overlap” region with epoxy. Guy line ring has 3 paracord lines and is rigged before extending mast. Guy line collar keeps guy line ring from moving down mast. A PVC end cap with a stainless machine screw serves as an “anti-kickout” support for the mast base. Each guy line has a line tightener.
Shure SE112 earbuds have a rt-angle 3.5mm connector.
M0JKS mini-mike has a TRRS connector on the mike, so the user can supply whatever length/connector style he prefers. 3.5mm audio cables are available with a straight TRRS on one end and a rt-angle TRRS on the other (to comply with Elecraft recommendations to reduce lateral force on the connectors.)
Bioenno has changed the BLF-1203AB “shape” from rectangular to rounded edge, but the dimensions remain the same.

The total weight (with the mast and EF Random antenna) is a few ounces over 7 lbs, so this isn’t a Mountain Topper.