{"id":29329,"date":"2017-11-26T07:55:32","date_gmt":"2017-11-26T11:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=29329"},"modified":"2017-11-26T07:55:32","modified_gmt":"2017-11-26T11:55:32","slug":"swling-on-the-coast-with-the-elecraft-kx2-and-pk-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/swling-on-the-coast-with-the-elecraft-kx2-and-pk-loop\/","title":{"rendered":"SWLing on the coast with the Elecraft KX2 and PK Loop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Since I purchased the Elecraft KX2<\/a> last year, I find I do almost as much SWLing with it as I do ham radio activity. The KX2 is actually a brilliant<\/em> shortwave broadcast receiver–check out these audio samples<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The KX2 pairs well with the PK Loop (C-LOOP-HDSW6-18) antenna<\/a> 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<\/a>, Sony SRF-39FP<\/a> or CC Skywave<\/a>\u00a0should I decide to hit the mediumwaves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

Another favorite travel receiver is the CommRadio CR-1a<\/a>. Like the KX2, it’s compact, has a built-in battery and (unlike the KX2) can even be charged from a standard USB source.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But CommRadio is cooking up a new radio: I’m watching the new CommRadio CTX-10<\/a>\u00a0with interest since it might also serve both of these radio purposes!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The CommRadio CTX-10 QRP transceiver<\/p><\/div>\n

I will review the CTX-10 when it’s on the market.<\/p>\n

On a side note: since I own both the KX2 and KX3, I’m planning to purchase the\u00a0KXPA100 100 watt amplifier<\/a> 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.\u00a0 But in the end, I’m so please with both radios I think it’s worth the investment.\u00a0 Thankfully, the KXPA100 was not included in the Elecraft Black Friday sale.<\/a>\u00a0I did not need that temptation.<\/p>\n

Post<\/em> readers:<\/strong> Any others take a compact general coverage transceiver on travels? What model do you prefer?\u00a0 Please comment!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,3196,43],"tags":[2034,5083,5084,5657,5658,1153],"class_list":["post-29329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-portable-radio","category-shortwave-radio","tag-elecraft","tag-elecraft-kx2","tag-kx2","tag-pk-loop","tag-pk-loop-c-loop-hdsw6-18","tag-shortwave-travel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-7D3","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22446,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/a-preliminary-review-of-the-pk-loop-c-loop-hdsw6-18\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":0},"title":"A preliminary review of the PK Loop C-LOOP-HDSW6-18","author":"Thomas","date":"November 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Over the past year, a number of SWLing Post readers have asked me to review the PK Loop portable magnetic loop antenna produced by\u00a0Paul Karlstrand in Australia. I finally caved in and purchased one. I ordered the shortwave version of the loop, the\u00a0 C-LOOP-HDSW6-18 in early November and received it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"eecraft-kx3-pk-loop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Eecraft-KX3-PK-Loop-e1480359088711.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Eecraft-KX3-PK-Loop-e1480359088711.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Eecraft-KX3-PK-Loop-e1480359088711.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26636,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/catch-the-2017-bbc-antarctic-midwinter-broadcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":1},"title":"Catch the 2017 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast?","author":"Thomas","date":"June 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday afternoon, I packed up the\u00a0Sony ICF-SW100, Audiomax SRW-710S\u00a0and Elecraft KX2\u00a0portables in\u00a0search of a quite spot to listen to\u00a0the BBC World Service\u00a0Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast. I also packed my PK Loop and NASA PA 30 antennas. I\u2019m traveling in Canada again and staying in an RFI-dense condo. There was no way\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Midwinter-KX2-SW100.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":26367,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/escaping-the-noise-while-traveling\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":2},"title":"Escaping the noise while traveling","author":"Thomas","date":"August 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"If you're a regular Post reader, you're probably aware that I enjoy a relatively RFI-free environment at my rural mountain home. RFI-free living is something of a luxury, even though our rural location also equates to appallingly slow Internet service. But unfortunately, when I travel, I usually find that I've\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sony-SW100-PK-Loop-HF-Antenna-765x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sony-SW100-PK-Loop-HF-Antenna-765x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Sony-SW100-PK-Loop-HF-Antenna-765x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20819,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/video-elecraft-kx2-daytime-shortwave-am-performance\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":3},"title":"Video: Elecraft KX2 daytime shortwave AM performance","author":"Thomas","date":"August 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"After publishing the post this morning regarding the AM mode addition to the Elecraft KX2, SWLing Post contributor\u00a0Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW)\u00a0created the following video comparing the KX2's daytime shortwave reception with that of the Kenwood R-2000: https:\/\/youtu.be\/R6rC-hpTxcs Click here to view on YouTube.","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ElecraftKX2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18901,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/photos-of-the-new-elecraft-kx2\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":4},"title":"Photos of the new Elecraft KX2","author":"Thomas","date":"May 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the benefits of being an inside exhibitor at the Dayton Hamvention is the ability to visit with vendors and exhibitors on Thursday, prior to all of the traffic that happens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Elecraft's booth is always epically busy during the Hamvention--and this year will be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Elecraft-KX2-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Elecraft-KX2-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Elecraft-KX2-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Elecraft-KX2-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44815,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/elecraft-kx2-3d-model-tour-with-wayne-burdick-n6kr\/","url_meta":{"origin":29329,"position":5},"title":"Elecraft KX2 3D model tour with Wayne Burdick (N6KR)","author":"Thomas","date":"August 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Wayne Burdick (N6KR) was one of the QSO Today Expo presenters this year and he took his audience on a very deep dive into the design philosophy behind the Elecraft KX2 (click here to read our KX2 review). The presentation is absolutely fascinating!\u00a0 If you want geek-out on radio design,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Elecraft-KX2-Bumper-Midwinter-Test-BBC-e1497895177712.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Elecraft-KX2-Bumper-Midwinter-Test-BBC-e1497895177712.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Elecraft-KX2-Bumper-Midwinter-Test-BBC-e1497895177712.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29329\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}