I know I have posted this before, but to make a point about the AX1, I made a SSB contact on 20 meters with a station in France from a SOTA location in NW Georgia using a KX3 running 12 watts. The AX1 was connected directly to the rig and a counterpoise wire connected to a thumbscrew on the KX3 that was thrown over the “cliff” edge hanging straight down in free space. I got a 57 signal report and a QSL card to boot from France.
I was on a hill top, but that’s my use case for the AX1. I have activated many a summit and park with the little setup. When I have a tree a random wire sometimes works better, but I don’t always have trees on summits. My $0.02, Hank K4HYJ > On Oct 1, 2024, at 1:48 PM, Kitchens, John, NS6X (SM, SB) via Elecraft > <[email protected]> wrote: > > What brought up this discussion was a comment about needing to make the AX1 > resonant. It is a 4' antenna, and by itself, won't be resonant on 15-40. It > was not intended to be a resonant antenna. The internal "tuners" - impedance > matching devices - of the KX2, KX3 and KH1 allow max energy to be input into > the antenna - 5-12 watts. Using the system as factory delivered, I have had > great success with the AX1 and the KH1 whip. The internal "tuner" matches the > antenna, allows full radio power out and receive energy in. I connect the > antenna directly to the radios, push the tune button, get the 1.1:1 match > almost always and make contacts. The QSOs are sufficient to activate parks, > which has been my goal. I am able to accomplish my goal without putting the > AX1 or whip on a tripod, using multiple radials/counterpoises, or using coax. > I can setup the radio in less than 5 minutes, spot myself and usually > complete the activation in less than 30 minutes (usually, if the sun is > cooperatin > g), and teardown in about 2 minutes. I use an external battery. > Of course the AX1 is not going to be resonant as presented from the factory, > when measured with an analyzer. It is a 4' collapsible whip, with one 13' or > 31' counterpoise. Use the internal tuner, attach the antenna to the radio, > and have fun. It is about having fun. One of the local hams has fun using > random metal objects as antennas. He tuned his antenna, a toaster oven, > sliding the tray in and out. He loaded a floor lamp, a screen door, a metal > fence - and made QSOs with all of them. Someone mentioned Kurt N. Sterba (and > Lil Paddle). They debunked many basic philosophies held for years by hams - > tribal knowledge. Ham radio is about having fun. Just have fun. The KX-2/3, > KH-1and the AX1/2 help to make ham radio fun. > > > 72/73 > > John Kitchens, NS6X > 805.216.2569 > [email protected] > PO Box 178 > Somis, CA 93066 > ARRL Santa Barbara Section Manager > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
