Impromptu QRP POTA Activation with the Elecraft KX2 Transceiver and AX1 Antenna
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ย. 2024
- The Elecraft AX1 is the most compact, portable antenna I've ever used. When stored for travel, it can easily fit in a small pouch or pocket.
In this real-time, real-life, unedited video, you'll accompany me on a truly impromptu activation of the Blue Ridge Parkway (K-3378). I decided to attempt this activation only a few minutes beforehand. My goal was to achieve a total of 10 contacts which is required for a valid POTA activation. Since I also had my tripod, I decided to make a video as well. I hope you enjoy! 73, Thomas K4SWL
If you'd like to jump to the part of the video where I start working contact, click here: • Impromptu QRP POTA Act...
Equipment:
Elecraft KX2 (with internal battery and internal ATU)
Elecraft AX1 antenna
N0SA portable paddles
You'll notice I have no ads in my videos. If you'd like to directly support these videos (thus helping me invest in better video gear), consider supporting me via our PayPal Coffee Fund or via Patreon. Note that both fall under the name of the SWLing Post which is a part of QRPer.com.
Patreon:
www.patreon.co...
Coffee Fund:
www.paypal.com...
Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL
![ทุกครั้งที่หลับตา (Lucid Dream) - AYLA's [ Official MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4i1OBAQyv58/mqdefault.jpg)
One of the great, common sense videos with practical use. I am a big promotor of portable HF radio since, in the future, who knows if we can count on/rely on repeaters, satellites, etc. Our life-line may be HF radio...this is not a joke. I am 100% serious. Further, I am not a wingnut doomsdayer but I do think we in the hobby should be prepared for any and all eventualities. These types of portable HF operations help keep us sharp!! '73 to all......from the far reaches of Upstate NY
Very nice video. Your "real-time, real-life, unedited" approach is a refreshing change from all the videos I watch that have an edit every three seconds. Also, you made some useful remarks with information I find helpful. Your between-contact commentary made me feel like you had invited me to tag along on an activation and were casually explaining things to me as time permitted. I found this production entertaining and useful. Keep up the fine work!
Glad you enjoy the videos! I know they're not for everyone, but I produce them with the idea that they could, in some small way, help encourage others to play radio in the field. Thank you so much for the kind comment!
Great real world example. :-) I have an AX1 that I rarely use, but one day while attempting a SOTA activation my "good" antenna kept blowing down. I pulled out the AX1 for kicks and made a contact from California to Colorado for a nice long-ish chat.
Oh now that's brilliant!
thank you, the mroe I listen, the more I get part of call signs as well as the states after the 5nn 5nn :) POTA QSO protocol is so good for beginners !
Keep up the great CW work, Christophe!
I used my AX1 for the 1st time the other day, just to see if I could make any contacts on SSB. I had mixed results with it. On 40m I made 3 contacts with it, which really surprised me. 2 into VA & 1 PA. On 20m I got only 1 into GA.
The way I had it set up was with the bipod, 90 deg BNC elbow, and the 33’ counterpoise wire for 40m and the 17’ on 20m connected to the ground lug (nit at the same time). I had no ill effects on 40m and it tuned just fine with the tuner. 20m was a whole different story, it tuned fine with the tuner, but when I picked up the mic to use it the SWR went up. I retuned holding the mic but it didn’t tune very well, about a 2:1 and there was a whole lot of RF getting into the audio.
My opinion of the whole experience was 50/50 obviously and not sure if I’ll ever use it again. I certainly don’t expect miracles for what it is.
The reason I found this video is I got the KX2 package and will be doing this! I have over 200 CW QSO's under my belt and I'm still new at it :) I want to do park activations now, another reason to get away from the city and people and enjoy the outdoors with the wife. de KI5JCO
Then you've found the right radio with the right spirit! Radios are meant to be outdoors. You're going to love the KX2/AX1 pair! Let us know how it goes! Consider sending a field report to be posted on QRPer.com! 73 and HNY! Thomas K4SWL
@@ThomasK4SWL hard to believe it's been 2 years, I just got the AX1 antenna two days ago and my callsign had changed since this post to AI5DD. Watching this video again. 72/73 de AI5DD (KI5JCO)
Thank you for showing actual use of the KX2 and AX1. I just ordered both and am anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Thank you! Yes, keep expectations in check in terms of performance, but frankly? It's so incredibly easy to deploy it makes up for a lack of efficiency (being such a wee antenna). And it'll offer up some surprising results! I love the AX1.
Thanks for another QSO. As a POTA hunter, I don't care how many times I've worked a particular park, if I can hear it, I hunt it. I spotted you on the POTA site after our QSO, figuring there was no cell service there. That KX2/AX1 is great little set-up for quick activations. Good luck and TNX - Mat - K4OCY
Danke für das tolle Video.73,von Wien.Österreich.😊😊😊
Bitte, Jozef!
Very nice video. It was good to see you operate in a real time mode-those of us aspiring coders need to be aware of the protocols (heritage) of sending and receiving. I don't think that I have ever seen any one using the built in memory modes! Great!
The built-in memory keying is such a huge feature for doing any sort of field activation. Makes it possible to eat lunch or drink coffee while calling CQ. :) Thank you for the kind comment.
I just picked up the ham geek mini qrp antenna. Simular in size with a small telescopic whip and tuning section. About 5 foot high. Tunes 60 to 12 good. Longer counter it will tune 80 to 10 but it's way out of the preferred band.
Pretty neat with such a short antenna and so little power. Nice job.
Thanks for sharing.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
Good video. I have the Comet HFJ 350M antenna that is in the same ballpark as the Elecraft antenna. And with my Xiegu G-90 on 20 watts I have reached south Florida (which has been difficult for me before) and as far north as northern Minnesota, from my QTH in Ellenwood Ga (just south of Atlanta) and I've gotten excellent signal reports on this antenna. When I deploy my. Counterpoise, I have blade connectors that extend my counterpoise out to the proper lengths and I can actually.get my antenna resonant without.tje use of the Xiegu's internal tuner. I suspect this antenna will do.the same. Once again, thank you for this video. It motivates me to experiment a bit more with my antenna. 73's
Thank you, Walter! That's brilliant that you're getting such good mileage from your Comet antenna. Even better that you've found those resonant points to avoid even needing an ATU! 73, Thomas
I'm looking at the same Comet antenna HFJ-350M to use on a G-90. Glad to hear it's working good for you. Do you use it indoors or outdoors? Which bands did you work contacts? How did you setup the counterpoise?
@@donh5794 I've used it both indoors and outdoors. I usually work 40 and 20 meter bands. I measured out my antenna wire and marked it with colored electrical tape for the beginning of the various bands and then all I had to do is roll or unroll my single wire to those marks. I lay it on the ground. I used the formula of 234/freq in MHz. I'm trying to get more consistency from it though so my next experiment will be to elevate my counterpoise and see how close to the ground I can get away with. I'll be putting small poles in the ground of various heights then tying the end to a tree or other elevated surface to see if there is any improvement. Hope this helps you. Thanks care, 73's
@@walteredwards544 That's a good working setup. I like the idea of rolling or unrolling the single wire. I thought multiple counterpoises were needed. Good to know the single wire works. Thanks for the information - it helps a lot.
73
@@donh5794 I'm still learning this antenna. I've always heard that the counterpoise makes it directional but I've made contacts that were 90° and 180° different from the direction of the counterpoise. I do believe that multiple counterpoises spread the radiation pattern more but I've yet to prove my theory. Good luck and keep working on it.
I use counterpoise all the time with my Screwdriver Antenna on Magnetic Mount. It makes a huge difference. I think you worked me today on my Activation Keith, K4KAL
I need to check my logs! :)
@@ThomasK4SWL We worked SSB on 3.828 on 11/21, I was at K-3723. I use a Icom 706MKIIg 100 watts / High Sierra Screwdriver Antenna on Roof / Tri-pod, with a 30ft+ Counterpoise / 12V 100ah AGM Battery. With the colder weather, I sit in the rear of my SUV with one seat down that makes a nice desk top for Transceiver and Logging. Take Care will be hunting you. You make really good Video's, keep up the good work on this. Help the Hobby.
@@Laborkei Thank you so much, OM! Great working you P2P and I'm sure we'll put each other in the logs many more times! 73, Thomas K4SWL
I loved it! Thank you for the experience. One of my goals is to do just what you did and your videos are very helpful to me. Thanks again!
Thank you, Tom! That's all the motivation I need to make videos, friend. You're going to achieve your goal and I hope you let us know when you do! :)
Just bought a KX2 and have looked at the AX1. Might have to put that on the Xmass list. Nice video. Most real time activation videos aren't all that interesting but this one was great! - 72
Love your video. Always love the sound of CW. Would love to learn it. It would probably take me years...I'm not as sharp as I used to be. Studying for the General class license, and boy, is it slow going. Again, thanks for the video!
You can do it! You'll knock out the General exam and for CW, a little practice and just let your brain sort it out. :) Go for it!
I look at the KX2 and my brain says, "Yes!" I look at the IC-705 and my brain says, "Why?"
Oh, the the KX2 is my favorite of any rig I've ever owned. The Case/Pack is a Lowe brand and I believe Elecraft actually has them made now. Check their website. I think they were initially made by Lower for early GoPro models?
Same thing here 🤪
I love operating portable, CW is my mode. Very exciting! 73 de KD8ZM
I thought, "Oh, I might buy one of those antennas". I can't find any in stock in the UK, only ones via Ali.Ex and I am not sure if they are genuine. I will keep looking. Thanks for the video, 73, M0BOB.
I'm new to CW and POTA and I really enjoyed your video. It showed a real world unedited POTA activation with a compromised antenna. I wonder.....Would a single connection "fan counterpoise" be effective/efficient? It is like half of a fan dipole as a counterpoise for the bands that the AX1 covers.
Thank you, Steve! So it would certainly be worth the experiment. That would be pretty easy to manage. And congrats on getting into POTA! You'll love it. 73, Thomas
Great video....Great equipment... Nice CW speed...equal - FUN !
73 Mike
I enjoyed your video. I am just begining to learn CW. How was the counterpoise attached? 2:10
The counterpoise attaches under one of the screws that holds the bottom plate of the KX2 in (the same screws you loosen to open the back. Elecraft designed that part of the radio to be a good contact point, so there's no paint on the surfaces inside the chassis around the screws. Good luck with your CW journey. You've got this! -Thomas
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks. I suppose it is high time I read the manual cover to cover. You have been a great help.
Smooth operator. Hihi. Now I gotta figure a way to sneak that antenna into my budget. You might be getting more than you think out of that antenna. No coax losses. Pretty much pushin most of it out there if it’s resonate imho.
Good point! :)
Great video! You had way better success with the AX1/AXE than I ever did.🤣
Thank you! Maybe the stars are just aligning every time I take it to the field. :) It is awfully fun.
Hey Thomas! I'm interested in POTA and I've really been enjoying your videos. After watching this video I have a quick question though. I've noticed your auto-notch is set to II, how did you change that for CW? The manual makes me think that's a SSB specific setting.
You know, that's a good question. I'm not even sure I've noticed. Typically, I don't think I even have auto-notch engaged during CW (at least, I hadn't noticed it). Normally, it would have a pretty serious negative impact on CW sigs. I'll have to explore this a bit.
Hi Thomas, congratulations on the great video, I love the KX2! Unfortunately I could not understand the brand and model of the mini paddle, please, can you give me some indication? Thank you so much! 73 . .
They are the KXPD2 paddles designed and manufactured by Elecraft. 73!
Good video❗️👍 I have been looking at the AX1 for a little Antenna to use with the Xigue X6100 that I just ordered, I am going to need some kind of antenna like this and I am not seeing anything much on the market. Do you think the AX1 will work about the same on the X6100❓Thanks KV5P 73
It should. If the 61000 sports an ATU as good as the X5105, there'll be no problem matching the two. You might have to give thought about how to connect the counterpoise to the X6100, or simply attach it to the BNC.
@@ThomasK4SWL That is what i was thinking 🤔, it looks like it is a we’ll built antenna and i checked out several reviews and they all seem to be good. I am looking forward to hearing what you think about the X6100 after you get a chance to use it. 73. KV5P
What is the lowepro case model number you have your radio in ?
It looks just what i need !
Mine is the CS-60 and I think it's ideal. Quite literally, the whole station fits in there less the throw line. Highly recommend.
@@ThomasK4SWL thanks Thomas i will look out for one.
Love your TH-cam content 👍
That were some fists you had to deal with there, Thomas! :) As for the "what is true QRP" considerations - at any rate, using *input* power as a metric for a very arbitrary limit is obviously pretty useless and I think you know that. :)
Honestly? I often judge if I'm QRP or not based on the radio I'm using. :) Since POTA has no regulations regarding QRP limits, you're 100% correct: totally arbitrary! :)
Really enjoyed watching your video and I hope to do some SOTA with the AX1 antenna soon 73 Carl 2E0HPI Hartlepool UK
N3MM said "in VA" not IN, fatal mistake trying to say "in" + "state". hi hi
Great video! Thanks very much for sharing.... I really enjoy your videos. 73 de VA3YG
Thank you very much!
A very cool antenna!
Newbie desires to know which source you suggest for learning CW?
Thank you!
I'm a huge fan of the Long Island CW Club: longislandcwclub.org/ They have such an active and dynamic community that will support you through the process.
Also check out CW Academy! There are numerous apps on the market, but I would encourage you to begin by using 17-20 word per minute characters with slow spacing. It's best to learn CW letters/numbers/symbols at higher speeds, with generous spacing between them in the beginning.
I suggest joining the LICWC--quite affordable.
Oh, and YOU'VE GOT THIS!
Best of luck on your CW journey!
Thomas
@@ThomasK4SWL Bushels of thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise 👍
Question, I’m just starting CW and wondered during your exchange do you send the park number you’re activating? Thanks 73 de Roger W8RLP
Great question! No. Well, rarely. So for most QSOs I never send the park number. The CW ops working you already know it, so it's simply never exchanged. The exception is when you get a Park To Park (in CW we say P2P) contact. The op will send you their park number for your logs (if you don't copy it, it's no problem) then I typically send my park and state for their logs. On occassion, I'll have an op ask "Park?" then I'll give the park number. In ever 300 exchanges, you might get one request. Seriously--it's that rare. :) Good on you for starting CW--you'll love it. 73, Thomas
@@ThomasK4SWL Thank you, learning CQ has been a process, I can send better than copy. 73 Roger
Why some of operators sending BK in the very beginning of their response? I can't get it. BK = break or back to you, or I'm confused? I mean why in the very beginning of the transmission, but not on the end?
It's simply convention in programs like POTA and SOTA. BK means both "Back to you" and confirming "Back to me."
@@ThomasK4SWL Thank you, Tom!
Can you attach the counterpoise to the bolt on the bipod?
I don't have my KX1 pack with me now, but I think the AX1 bipod screw has a plastic cover. I can't remember. You could, however, clip to the outside of the BNC or to a chassis point.
Great motivation video!
Thank you Thomas for your videos. I find them educational, realistic and very informative. Keep up the good work. 73 Phil G1GTX
Thank you so much, Phil! 73 Thomas K4SWL
I'll have to listen on 7063 from now on.
Also is it just me or does the elecraft have better audio than the 705 you used on another vid. What’s your opinion.
Regarding the audio, it's a tough call. I personally prefer the Elecraft KX2/KX3 audio for CW work. But honestly? They are very, very close. Slightly different audio characteristics, but similar performance. My KX3 has a roofing filter that, I feel, gives it an edge on CW.
@@ThomasK4SWL Right. I think I’m still gonna order the 705 with the Icom 705 loop ant and backpack. Also that elecraft ant tuner is really cool. I just found your vids and I’m digging them. Thx for posting. The Icom website shows 705 ant tuner...coming soon.
@@qrptedmac you really can't go wrong with the IC-705--it's a wonderful radio. You might explore other antenna options than the IC-705 loop only because there are so many out there. Loops are great for high noise environments and for low-profile operation. The negative is they are very narrow bandwidth. This means, if you're tuning around the bands hunting contacts, you'll be tuning the antenna constantly. If you're activating a park, then it's less tuning because you'll find an open freq then stay on that frequency. Loops are wonderful, but a bit limiting. I use loops, but they're just one of a number of antennas I have in the toolbelt. :) Then again, you might have a lot of other antenna options. :) Many you can simply build.
@@ThomasK4SWL Right. I’ve had my ham lic a week or two over a year now. I run a ic-7610 as a base rig but I’m interested in the portable operation. Thx for the info. I’ll take all the info I can get.
10 bucks says if you ever get pulled over, the cops will think your ax1 in that case is drug Paraphernalia . ;p Thanks for sharing
HA HA HA! Never thought about that until now! You've got a point!
Link for your KX2 case?
Super cool!
How many Power can i input in the Antenna please ? vy 73 de Jens DH4JK.
According to Elecraft's product page, it will handle up to 30 watts: elecraft.com/products/ax1-antenna
@@ThomasK4SWL tnx. 73 de DH4JK
Fb dear Tom wish could make it from here in Qrp hi 👋
73 /72 Kurt HS0ZBS OK03SS
I wish I could, OM! Maybe someday! :)
Very nice .All the best t oooo Y .SQ6bbx 73 from England from Polish HAM club.Lower sislesia