Since I purchased the Elecraft KX2 last year, I find I do almost as much SWLing with it as I do ham radio activity. The KX2 is actually a brilliant shortwave broadcast receiver–check out these audio samples. It’s incredibly sensitive, selective and outperforms all of my portables. It’s also a joy to operate, once you learn your way around the controls.
I’ve been at the South Carolina coast all week on an active family vacation. What little time I’ve had to play radio, I’ve used the KX2/PK Loop combo.
The KX2 pairs well with the PK Loop (C-LOOP-HDSW6-18) antenna and both can easily fit in one small pack. The combo limits me to the shortwave bands, but that’s okay since I always carry an Ultralight DX receiver like the Tecsun PL-310ET, Sony SRF-39FP or CC Skywave should I decide to hit the mediumwaves.
I can set up the KX2 and PK Loop on a small table or foot stool with room to spare. I typically use a pair of headphones with the KX2 since its built-in speaker leaves much to be desired (but is better than the KX3’s internal speaker, in my opinion). With headphones, you can also take advantage of the “delay” audio effect which makes broadcasts sound much wider that the 5 kHz maximum bandwidth.
Another favorite travel receiver is the CommRadio CR-1a. Like the KX2, it’s compact, has a built-in battery and (unlike the KX2) can even be charged from a standard USB source.
I still manage to take the KX2 on travels more often than the CR-1a simply because I always have the option to put on my ham radio hat and do field/portable operation should I choose.
But CommRadio is cooking up a new radio: I’m watching the new CommRadio CTX-10 with interest since it might also serve both of these radio purposes!
The CommRadio CTX-10 QRP transceiver
I will review the CTX-10 when it’s on the market.
On a side note: since I own both the KX2 and KX3, I’m planning to purchase the KXPA100 100 watt amplifier for the shack next year. At $749 for the ATU-less kit version, it’s a hefty sum–indeed–enough to purchase another 100 watt transceiver like the Icom IC-7200. But in the end, I’m so please with both radios I think it’s worth the investment. Thankfully, the KXPA100 was not included in the Elecraft Black Friday sale. I did not need that temptation.
Post readers: Any others take a compact general coverage transceiver on travels? What model do you prefer? Please comment!
There’s something special about oceanside DX’ing, perhaps it’s due to the expanse of the Atlantic, the smell of the salt air, the distant slow-moving ships on the horizon or the fact that if you hopped in a boat and sailed due East the next stop would be Europe.
Thanks for the post Thomas.
It’s the flatness and that nice big saltwater ground boosting reception. And also reflecting multihop propagation off the surface better than land too.
Unfortunately I feel CommRadio left the community hanging on a previous model.
I would never buy anything from that company ever again.
Rotary encoder issues
No response via email.
Never return calls.
Promised future updates that never happened.
Better of with a real company with proven QRP rigs like ELAD or LNR
Nice combo, I also have a KX2 & PK Loop. But, I am doing most of my listening at home ATM with a Wellbrook ALA1530LNP. Much better than the PK and no tuning, too large for travel though.
Cheers, Gordon VK3TEN
Indeed! I wish Wellbrook made a compact wideband amplified loop antenna–something the size of the PK Loop.
You’re not the only one. I’ve discussed smaller wide-band magnetic loops previously in another post. The demand is obviously present. Now manufacturers need to work on overcoming the limitations of smaller loops as much as possible. Never say never.
If you put the radio too close or in the loop will it pick up the digital noise? Years ago I used a small loop 3″ diameter on a coax as an rf sniffer to probe around PCBs . I found the displays of digital radios produced a lot of hash if held right up against it.
I’ve never noticed a noise and I’ve had the loop very close to the receiver at times. Keep in mind, I’m always on the HF bands with this loop.