Hi Jim, The AX1 (and the AX2) are both electrically short antennas that are not intended to replace larger/higher antennas such as full-length dipoles, verticals, or random wires. Instead they're best suited to quick-deployment situations or when erecting a larger antenna is not possible. I've operated from high in a tree, dangling on the edge of a cliff, in dodgy public spaces, from my livingroom couch, a hammock, and while riding a bike. As Ade Weiss used to say, "If there is a place -- and you can get to it -- you must operate from there."
Typically the AX1 is connected directly to a radio, with no coax. This eliminates any coax losses related to length or high SWR. It's ideal for everything from picnic tables to pedestrian mobile. Resonance on both 20 and 17 meters is only approximate, so an ATU is generally required to make the transmitter happy. As for performance, it'll vary with band conditions. I've worked Australia from California using the AX1 at 5 W. I never fail to make some Qs on a field outing. But, per the manual, work louder stations first, and try operating during contests. I suggest setting an initial goal within the spirit of ultraportable QRP, maybe working 10 states without the benefit of sitting down :) 73, Wayne N6KR > On Sep 26, 2024, at 3:05 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft > <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote: > > Understood about the losses, even though I’m only running 25 feet of it - > trying to keep my POTA “bag” fairly light. My main concern was how far away > from the desired operating frequencies the AX1 turns out to be. Not even > close to the “specs” +- 200 KHz. > > I still have some experimenting to do before I give up and take another > approach to the antenna situation. As I live in a high desert, many of the > POTA sites within easy driving distance are tree-less. That means either the > AX1 or a Buddistick, or having to put up some sort of anchored fiberglass > mast to run an EFHW to. More crud to have to transport. I’ll get it done one > way or the other. Till then I’ve got some prostrate surgery coming up that > most certainly will impact my mobility for a while. :-( > > Jim Bennett / K7TXA > Eagle, ID > > SKCC #10447T > B.U.G. #301 > > > > > > > >> On Sep 26, 2024, at 3:52 PM, Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote: >> >> Matched loss of RG174 is 1 dB on 40M, 1.6 dB on 15M. That's 3X the loss of >> RG58 and RG142. While N6BT has famously observed that "everything works," >> including his example of a light bulb, that's a lot of power to waste when >> you're QRP. >> >> I strongly agree that QRP is a fun challenge, and have done a LOT of it. >> Something like 170 countries confirmed in LOTW in 3-4 years from W6, DXCC on >> at least three bands. I've been part of 3-person teams that have won >> 1A-Battery in FD a half dozen times in ten years. >> >> But QRP calls for ADDING dB, not subtracting them. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> >>> Also don’t sweat using RG 316 or 174 for reasonably short runs. I use >>> 316 from the KX2 to the tripod mounting the AX1 and 174 for my linked >>> 40/20/15 dipole. The loss is negligible at short distances at HF. >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to w6...@me.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n...@elecraft.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
