WT-Antenna-F?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- I recently received my Elecraft KH1, and I'm stunned by the 4' whip antenna's ability to make contacts. I was very skeptical, figuring I'd have to use a full-sized antenna... and that's still an option (thanks to the radio's built-in BNC jack)... but that little whip DOES WORK. What a great little shack-in-a-pouch!
I've daydreamed about doing POTA atop Coit Tower in San Francisco...the KH1 looks made to order for that.
Glad you are back on yt. I am simply loving my KH1, I’ve only had it for a week now but it’s a daily event at least. Easy to activate as the POTA spotting page helps a lot. I can’t believe I’m making SKCC contacts using the paddles in hand key mode, me calling CQ and getting responses.
W1ND
The kh1 is amazing to me. I've never run qrp before in 30 years. It looked so cool I had to buy it. Fun ever since. Worked 3G0YA split on 15 sitting sitting in a park with the whip. And during the WPX worked VK1A on 40 through my dx commander both 3w very capable and under estimated
It’s not just the radio. It’s just QRP. The form factor makes it much easier
I carry my KH1 in my work backpack. Several times at the end of the day on the way out to the parking lot I have stopped, set up and made a couple of POTA contacts within the space of minutes. It's really fun.
I love my Kx2 and have for years. I am getting better at CW and what you showed is why. Thank you for your video.
If I could only have one radio, it would be my KX2. It does it all, and in a small form factor. Love it. - Cliff
@@QRPSchool I agree and I need to get better on CW to consider the KH1. I do use a keyboard on my K4 for CW thats cool and I will get better.
Look how Ham Radio has changed in the last 10 years. What will we see in the next 10 years???
I have a KH1 on order. Can’t wait to get it.
I waited 4.5 months. It’s worth the wait. Elecraft always hits a home run.
Glat to see that radio performing. It is awesome.
And speaking of performing, my wife thinks your recent voice-over work is great. Will be released on Monday…
thank you so much@@QRPSchool
The form factor opens the door to so many new opportunities for ham activities.
True!
I think this radio would present a lot more opportunities to get on the air. You don't have to set up an antenna, or drag along and hook up another battery. Everything that you need is in that little pouch and very quickly deployable. I would love to have one.
Fun stuff! I can't wait to see your future videos with it!
I've had my KH1 for about a month. Because I have to wrangle my dog while hiking, I doubt I'll ever run it /PM. However, it is a very quick to deploy rig that has an amazing receiver. I've waffled a bit about keeping it because I have other Elecraft rigs that I really, really like. (Don't try to take my KX2 or KX3 from me!)
I suggest keeping a pair of ear buds in the bag as they greatly improve the sound. The little rig produces great audio through the output jack.
I also recommend adjusting the paddles as I mentioned in another reply.
The AXE works when inserted between the whip post and the whip. The internal tuner will match the AXE and whip on 30m and 40m. Use the switch just as you would on the AX1. I do use the long counterpoise when using the AXE. And, the long counterpoise works fine on 20m and up.
Have fun! 73 de AG7TX
Agree about earbuds. The little speaker sounds terrible, but it's nice that they included one. No way to make it sound good in that form factor. In this video, I had the KH1 audio being recorded externally so people wouldn't hear that raspy sidetone that comes from the tiny speaker. If someone watches a TH-cam video where the content creator was just using the camer's microphone to pick up the sound from the speaker, they may get the wrong idea. The KH1 sounds great into earbuds or external speaker.
I'll look into the AXE. Thanks - Cliff
I worked Ukraine from GA with the AX-2 on 20m CW. Those have some serious MOJO.
Whoa! Nice! - Cliff
Good morning Cliff. It is amazing. I don't have a KH1, and probably never will, but I do build my own tiny antennas that are similar. Same length whip with homebrew base loading coils on bits of PVC. I activated 3 SOTA summits yesterday (30March2024) with lots of European DX on the tiny 10 meter antenna. I know 10 is hot right now, but have had the same success on the 20 meter version. I've always believed in the having the largest antenna I could make work in the available space. (if it didn't come down last winter, it wasn't large enough!) I do believe these tiny antennas will not be as useful and may go out of favor when we are back to solar minimums again. Sure is fun now though. Thanks for the video. Always enjoy them. Ken, W4KAC
Thanks, Ken. I'd love to see your homebrew "shorties" (not sure if that word's a thing, but I like it!). Do you have any photos or videos? Did you follow any certain plans with parts listed for those of us who like to tinker? I still believe that it makes the most sense to have the best antenna you can when you're running a power-compromised radio. If I really want to maximize my signal, I'll use my vertical or dipole. But, I guess the bar was so low with me thinking this 4' antenna was going to be unproductive that I have been pleasantly surprised. Anyway, thanks for the comment and please pass along a link (if you know of any) to where I could read more about making portable whip-based antennas. - Cliff
@@QRPSchool Hello again Cliff. I sent you an email with a few pics and some details. Hope that helps. I didn't know how to put much in the way of detail here. My antennas are really simple. Individual coil for each band so far. I've made them for 10, 15, and 20.
Thanks, and 72!
Nice! Not a code guy but I love the vids and qrp power.
Saw a KH1, briefly, at a rally. I'm not sure if it was a representative example... but, do you find the key a little too vague and squishy? Or is it firm and positive.
The key is not rock-solid. It’s not bad, though. It’s very usable as-is. Squishy is an interesting word for it. To me, it’s not squishy, but it does lean towards squishy. Would be better if the key was metal and the part it “snaps into” was also metal. Bottom line for me: it’s not the best that it could be, but it’s good enough that I don’t feel the need to bring an alternate key. I’ve only used it standing up so far. If I use it at a table, an external key might make sense. Just my two cents…
I can add another two cents to Cliff's comment. I have a KH1 and have used it quite a bit. A buddy of mine (who also has one) suggested I adjust the key to reduce the contact spacing and back travel. I did both and it improved the touch quite a bit.
The key does not compare to my N3ZN or Begali keys. I am less proficient with it (not that I'm a great code operator anyway) than I am with the precision keys. But it works and is convenient as part of the package.
There is a lot to be said for a station you can pull out of a cargo pocket and deploy in five minutes, play for 15 minutes, and recover in five minutes while waiting for someone in the store parking lot. Right after I received my rig, I was waiting for my son to get off work at Lowe's. I hunted four parks while waiting for him and logged three of them.
@@nvrumi Good suggestion to adjust the contact spacing. I'm very happy with this little radio. - Cliff
Sounds like you need a K3...
I told my wife that the K4 was the last “good radio” I would ever buy. I’m 63 years old. Statistically, I SHOULD make it to at least a K5, if not K6. However, as a QRP weirdo, the K4 is already better than I need. Note that I made no promise to stop buying QRP radios!