I have had just about every commercial QRP and QRP-kit since 1972 when I built the Heath HW-7, then the 8 then the 9, then Ten-Tecs, MFJs, Yaesu, Icoms etc...
A few months ago I built the KX-1 - I can't say how amazing this radio is. I haven't gone into my shack in the 4 months as I've been using the KX-1 (with 30 meters and tuner)in my dining room, and kitchen where I have hidden coax connectors, running to the basement shack. This weekend my XYL and I ran out to Amagansett near the tip of Long Island. Of course I took the KX-1. We stayed at a motel a few hundred feet from the ocean front. Luckily outside our terrace door was a large bush. I ran a 28' (reccomended by Elecraft) wire 1/3 thru the room, taped to the top of the door and then I tossed the end tied to short piece of fishing line to the top of the bush (about 7'high). I used about 20' of random wire as counterpoise under the sofa. On 30 mtrs I started to work several European Easterm Eurpean and stations, one after using only the internal AA batteries. I brought a 12v NiMh, but found it more fun to leave it in the computer case I used to carry everyting I needed. As there was a contest, I also worked dozens of US stations on 40 and 20.... until my XYL insisted we go to dinner >at the PALM!!!! :-)
In my opinion the KX-1 is the finest designed radio I have ever seen - ever. BTW, we moved to a condo 5 yrs ago and I gave up my KW, tower, beam etc. Here I can't use (legal) antennas so I use a 9' triband vertical on my deck, and a wire loop stapeled to the railing of our 40' wood deck. 73 Peter K2MMT