{"id":42427,"date":"2020-03-22T08:55:28","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T12:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=42427"},"modified":"2020-03-23T07:10:41","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T11:10:41","slug":"a-tale-of-two-radios-commradio-ctx-10-vs-elecraft-kx2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/a-tale-of-two-radios-commradio-ctx-10-vs-elecraft-kx2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tale of Two Radios: CommRadio CTX-10 vs. Elecraft KX2"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The following review first appeared in the February 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor<\/a>\u00a0magazine.<\/em><\/p>\n

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A Tale of Two Radios: CommRadio CTX-10 v Elecraft KX2<\/h1>\n

As my blog readers often point out: Why focus on low-power (QRP) ham radio activities when propagation is so dismal…even for high power stations?\u00a0 <\/i>A logical argument, I\u2019ll admit, and lately it\u2019s become a common theme in QRP discussion.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve said it before, and I\u2019ll say it again: despite the current stagnation of the sunspot cycle, we\u2019ve been seeing a very curious uptick in low-power radio innovation. Manufacturers have been churning out QRP transceivers at a rapid rate during this solar lull, and I can assure you, it\u2019s a strategic move that the marketplace rewards.<\/p>\n

So, why should this be? I attribute the influx of QRP radios to several factors.<\/p>\n

First of all, leveraging innovations in SDR (software defined radio) design, it\u2019s simply become less expensive to produce portable low-power radios with extra features. In other words, manufacturers can now offer more radio bang-for-buck. Similarly, the technology is accessible enough that even smaller manufacturers can produce competitive products.<\/p>\n

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Secondly, the new-found popularity of field activities\u2013\u2013such as Parks On The Air (POTA)<\/a> and Summits On The Air (SOTA)<\/a>\u2013\u2013fuel the need for field-portable, all-in-one transceivers. Anyone who falls in love with field portable operation, and it\u2019s easy to do, will quickly discover how handy it is to have a dedicated radio for these activities.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s not always competition that pulls radio operators to the field. With so much QRM (human-generated interference) at home or in built-up areas, many operators and radio enthusiasts now take to the field to escape the noise. Likewise, many operators live in restricted communities that don\u2019t allow for permanent antennas, so it\u2019s in their best interest to make their radio shack…well, portable.<\/p>\n

And why not? Weak-signal digital modes like FT-8 have made signal-hopping across the planet with only a few watts of power easier than ever before. I\u2019ve spoken with a number of operators who have\u2013\u2013using FT-8\u2013\u2013worked DXCC for the first time with stealthy, portable antenna systems, and others who have taken the dare to work DXCC only on individual bands. Such challenges are all in the name of fun.<\/p>\n

Finally, in general, QRP transceivers are much less expensive than their 100 watt counterparts. QRP radios gain a competitive edge by omitting pricey amplification in the design, while still offering the operator DX-class features and receiver performance.<\/p>\n

Making a choice<\/h2>\n

With so many new field-portable QRP transceivers on the market, making a choice can be difficult. Still, there are some guidelines that will help you eliminate a number of models.<\/p>\n

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The Mountain Topper MTR5B<\/p><\/div>\n

For example, if you only plan to operate CW and don\u2019t need a general coverage transceiver, you can effectively eliminate all of the priciest QRP transceivers. CW-only transceivers like the popular Mountain Topper series<\/a>\u00a0are incredibly portable, durable, and half the price of full-featured multi-mode transceivers.<\/p>\n

Also, if you use resonant antennas, there may be no need for an internal or external antenna tuner\u2013\u2013this can save you upwards of $200. If you prefer using an external battery, there may be no need to purchase a model with an internal battery option.<\/p>\n

In this article, however, we\u2019ll be looking specifically at two general coverage QRP transceivers that are very much all-in-one. With an antenna, mic and\/or key, these radios will get you on the air in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n

Our competitors<\/h1>\n

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Over the past year, I\u2019ve received numerous emails and comments asking for advice choosing between two specific radios: the recently reviewed CommRadio CTX-10<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and the Elecraft KX2<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

I’m not surprised, because both of these field-portable QRP transceivers sport similar basic features and options, e.g.:<\/p>\n