Newbie Antenna Question -- Getting an Elecraft KX2 Transceiver

[MusicMaker]

Hi!!! My husband and I are brand new to amateur radio. (I've had a GMRS license for about 16 years, for what it's worth!) I'll be studying to get a Technician and General radio license.

After much research, we've decided to get an Elecraft KX2 Transceiver. We'll be using it in the house, and worst case, in the car. The intention is preparedness more than anything else.

We'd like to know what type of antenna(e) would be best suited for these uses!!!

Also, any other accessories that are needed? Not looking for "would be nice" but rather "would be necessary".

Thanks much!!

[gil]

Hello,

It depends on your location. Where do you live? Countryside, small/medium town, big city? House, farm, apartment? Let me know and I can make some recommendations...

Gil.

[MusicMaker]

Hi Gil,

We live in a house in a suburban area of Largo, FL (not rural, but no skyscrapers anywhere -- mainly single-story homes and a few two-story homes here and there). There isn't a hill in sight, never mind any mountains. The population in Largo is around 85,000. This is Pinellas County, a peninsula in the Tampa Bay area, and we are 15 mins by car from the Gulf of Mexico.

We'd like an antenna for the car (perhaps with a magnetic mount) that would work in emergency situations such as evacuating, and an antenna for the house that would just work for whatever, something we could put out on the roof (and hopefully not have problems with lightning -- this is basically the lightning capital of the U.S. [Clearwater, FL, which is right next to us -- same difference!]). We don't want to have antennae inside the house.

Thank you!

Cheers,
JoJo

[gil]

I used to live in Sarasota, for 22 years, LOL.

There are unfortunately no really good antennas for HF mobile, few that perform well while driving for sure... Look into Hamstick antennas. They are single-band but affordable and work well enough, but I would use them while stopped... Nothing beats a good base with a hole in the metal of the car, but I understand you might not want to do that... A magnetic base will work. Those antennas have a 3/8-24 thread, so make sure you get the appropriate base. For your KX2 and prepping I would suggest a 40m antenna. Your best bet for your car though is a VHF/UHF antenna for local comms and repeater use, if they work after an event... You can get a Retevis RT95 radio for less thn $100. I use one in my truck. The antennas are shorter too.

Now for your house, given the lightning issue, I would use a telescopic mast that you could just put up while using the radio. I use a Spiderbeam 12m mast, and it is very strong. You can use it with this antenna: http://vibroplex.com/contents/en-us/p3410.html It will give you three bands, including 20m for daytime and 40m for evening comms. Best of all, you can put the mast in your trunk and use it anywhere you want.

I am no expert in roof-mounted antennas... A magnetic-loop antenna could serve you well too, but commercial models are practically always too small. The ideal perimeter is 5m or about 17-18ft. I have a video on how to build one. You might want to look into various wire antennas, depending on where and how you could string one up... A wire loop around the perimeter of the house could work too, using the KX2's built-in tune; install at the top edge of the roof... Wire antennas can be installed in addics too, as most Florida houses are made of wood.

Oh, and if you really want to use your KX2 to the best of its abilities, and multiply your chances to make contact when you need it, you might want to learn Morse code :-)

Let me know how it goes. I miss Sarasota a great deal.

Gil.

[MusicMaker]

Hi Gil,

Thank you SO much!!!  I will try to digest and understand everything you said. LOL  We ordered the radio today!

So come and visit sometime!  Funny that you lived here. :D

Cheers,
JoJo