Elecraft AX1 + AT1 Tiny Antenna Lake Operations ~QRP!!! 🏆

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro Music Getting to the Site
00:15 Map Zoom into Location
00:28 Walk & Talk before setup
03:36 Antenna is Setup
04:34 Start Operating the Radio
05:12 QSO Begins!
11:07 QSO Debriefing
12:28 Walk & Talk by the Lake
15:23 Calling CQ Again
18:00 Flying Visitors
19:07 Outtro Music Video Recap
QRP Success!!! Elecraft AX1 + AT1 Micro Antenna!
Using the AX1 with an ATU eliminates tedious length adjustments. Just select a band, tap the antenna tune switch, and go for it. The AX1 is resonant on 20 meters in one switch position, while the other is designed for efficient 17 and 15 meter matching using an ATU.
Whether you use the AX1 as a ‘stealth’ field antenna, for pedestrian mobile, or as a versatile backup, it’ll be ready when you are.
Resonant Frequencies
20 m (~14 MHz) and 17/15 m (~19 MHz). Resonant frequencies may vary +/- 300 kHz or more due to changes in terrain, body capacitance, and antenna height.
Supplied Radial Wire 13 feet (4.0 m) long. Wire has pre-installed lug for attachment to the transceiver’s ground screw.
Max. Power
30 Watts. If RFI symptoms are observed, reduce power or move antenna farther from the transceiver.
Construction
Corrosion-resistant whip and hardware; Lexan outer tube; high-Q inductors wound with 20 AWG, high-temp enamel wire.
Dimensions Whip: 6” (15 cm) collapsed, 45” (115 cm) extended. Base: 6” (15 cm) long x 0.75” (19 mm) diameter.
Weight Antenna: 3.2 oz. (90 g); supplied radial wire: 0.6 oz. (17 g).

Пікірлер: 106

  • @kevinleahy3634
    @kevinleahy36343 жыл бұрын

    One of your best vids yet! I enjoyed everything about this one: music, timing, CW subtitles, etc. As an aspiring CW op, I get inspiration from seeing you make contacts from far away with minimal equipment.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I get inspiration from these great comments. I really do enjoy them and try to answer ever comment. The music at the end was given to me by an online friend so I was able to use it here. I get a lot of feedback about providing CW subtitles so I figure it's a must now I have to do it. Thanks again love the comment!

  • @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    3 жыл бұрын

    Me too, Tom makes very interesting real videos, quite humorous too

  • @KevinW8BRY
    @KevinW8BRY3 жыл бұрын

    So rewarding Tom. Thanks for putting the words and callsigns up. I am learning cw right now and it’s great when I can actually hear the letters now and pick them out. 73 Kevin

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey, thanks for the comment friend. I realized a while ago the letters in the subtitles help a lot of people, make the videos more interesting, including those that don't even know CW.

  • @MaE-uz8fh
    @MaE-uz8fh3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad to see your back to radio, especially CW mode as I'm learning it I'm still slow copying but really enjoy learning how the QSO goes. Very entertaining also. Thank you

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear it! I love this comment!

  • @4428314
    @44283143 жыл бұрын

    Tom, thank goodness you are back making the Best CW videos. I want you to know how much I learn watching your videos. Thank you very much. 73 GG5OBD

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Man that is why I do the videos for comments like that. Really feels good. Now that the weather is great (Fall) I will be making videos until it gets too cold in December/January. Also, moving from STL to OKC really messed me up. More to come!

  • @Locksnut
    @Locksnut3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you got the antenna to work. Nice quiet spot to set up. The CW added to the music was cool. 73

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I like the look of it and the isolation (no hassles) I had a friend send me that music at the end.

  • @larryhead4161
    @larryhead41613 жыл бұрын

    "Thanks for watching 73 N9YO". Great ending, thanks for producing these super motivational videos.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you like them! Man I love that comment. You get it!

  • @KX4UL
    @KX4UL3 жыл бұрын

    What a surprise... Man, K0DTJ came booming in that quickly! Good contact Tom. I always enjoy watching QRP CW contacts. There is just something about low power and small antennas making contacts for hundreds and even thousands of miles that excite me. Now THAT is an accomplishment! It's great to have you back making HAM radio vids. 73!

  • @M0SZT
    @M0SZT3 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant, I much prefer these ham radio videos and your channel than endless how to's and endless numbers of outdoor gear reviews done indoors.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, originally that's what I wanted my channel to be about, but it's taken me over 8 months to move cities and start to get settled so I wanna get back to basics like this and do real operations. Plus the weather has to cooperate which I'm hoping this Fall and Winter do.

  • @buckman72
    @buckman723 жыл бұрын

    Awesome contact! love the feeling of getting out with QRP. I run 5 watts voice on my FT-897 a lot from East Texas on a 20 mtr wire dipole hanging between 2 trees, and do pretty well. Keep up the good work and the great videos.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I used to own an 897, that thing was a heavy beast. My first ham radio. I want one now! Love the setup and love the comment.

  • @Ron_C
    @Ron_C3 жыл бұрын

    Since you've had the time to do these CW vids....really motivates me to start working on my CW copying again!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I like the CW community / protocol. Seems like there's always someone to talk to and nice out there and easier then SSB.

  • @KX4UL

    @KX4UL

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Ron, yes you must become active again. I miss your HAM radio videos. 73!

  • @garyjohnson4608
    @garyjohnson4608 Жыл бұрын

    Wow, that was awesome that you were able to make contact with that guy clear out in Ca !!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @MoTown44240
    @MoTown442403 жыл бұрын

    Its a water reservoir Tom to collect what little rain the area receives. I've seen it during drought. Much lower water levels.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, It doesn't seem like a regular dam. And it certainly does seem dry low levels

  • @alternative3d87
    @alternative3d873 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoy these portable QRP videos you make. Well done

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much! I appreciate that comment a lot.

  • @billwoodroffe4291
    @billwoodroffe42913 жыл бұрын

    Great contact very satisfying. Love that location.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I like the look of it and the isolation (no hassles) I'll be back!

  • @dheller777
    @dheller7773 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed this one. Beautiful area and great contact. Sounds like a win win to me!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks man. I love that area I will be back. Hopefully it won't become repetitive.

  • @gsansoucie
    @gsansoucie3 жыл бұрын

    Conditions have been getting better this year. I’ve had a number of great contacts from my KX2 or MTR3B in the field, camping (picnic table portable), SOTA, POTA, or even LunchPeditions in the parking lot at work on the KX2. Somehow, 2020 has become my year for a CW QSO A Day. We are camping by the ocean again this weekend, I plan to test out my AX1 again and finally get a contact. Nice location to work from. De W1ND

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Greath job I like the ideo of QSO a day

  • @gsansoucie

    @gsansoucie

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ham Radio CQ so I setup the AE-1 on the tripod base and used my camera tripod in its lowest position on the picnic table at our campsite with my KX2. I made a contact in MO from ME rather fast and was optimistic, then went the next hour with nothing. However, it was my first contact with that setup so I was happy. I threw my 28’ Random Wire into a nearby tree (only about 18’ up) and worked Europe and a bunch of US stations the next two days. 17M opened up yesterday, I wish I’d thought about setting the AE1 back up to test out 17M. Thanks for this video, it’s always a lot of fun to work in the field.

  • @pakeck1
    @pakeck13 жыл бұрын

    Great content and really great editing, thanks

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated comment! I hope to do a lot more of this kind of stuff now that Fall is here and it's not crazy hot. Hopefully living in OKC area I can continue to go out into the field until December!

  • @WKMG365
    @WKMG3653 жыл бұрын

    Cool video at a great spot, the little antenna works!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes it does! However, I'm going to rely on a long wire more often!

  • @redman840
    @redman8403 жыл бұрын

    Best to use your filters to try and narrow down the passband to move the QRM out of your QSO.Try to ride it out,rather than going QRT,by activating your audio filters.That little antenna,in this instance,proved to be very effective.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I doubt any filters would have stopped that deliberate QRM.

  • @redman840

    @redman840

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ham Radio CQ ...You are probably right,but always worth a try.

  • @gsansoucie

    @gsansoucie

    3 жыл бұрын

    Don’t forget “QSY UP 1” to get your contact to QSY up out of the QRM. I’m amazed that everytime I do that, it works, you’d think most of us would miss the QSY.

  • @barrykery1175
    @barrykery11753 жыл бұрын

    That really is pretty impressive with that little antenna. 5 watts is hard enough, but then couple it to a tiny antenna...impressive to say the least ! Thanks for sharing. I have the MFJ 1899T vertical and have not gotten much time to use it. With warmer weather around the corner I'll have to put it in service with my KX2 and see how well or poorly it works. Barry, KU3X/QRP

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    That comment has inspired me to go out and try this again. It's been a cold winter so I haven't been out, but now it should be better soon.

  • @OldF1000
    @OldF10003 жыл бұрын

    The band are like a box of chocolates you never know what you will get ; ) That's what makes it so fun

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah and sometimes that chocolate tastes so bad you have to spit it out LOL. I like the soft caramel ones. : )

  • @oscarsandwall1541
    @oscarsandwall15413 жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed this video very much! Keep doing what you're doing. I am 14 yrs old and trying to become a radio amateur here in Sweden (where I come from) and your videos are so inspiring and when I'm watching I really want to become a ham. I like when you put CW subtitles when you're making a contact, I can almost CW when it's slow and if I get stuck I will just watch the subtitles. I would like to see more QRP CW content with CW subtitles. From an almost radio amateur

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wow great comment Bak! I really love it that you are becoming a ham. Try to find a club because that's what helped me. Some guys got me started and I was about 29 years old at the time. I didn't have the chance to become a ham as a kid as there was no internet or people that I knew would help me. I will always try to put subtitles in the videos to help anyone that needs it.

  • @LouiseBrooksBob
    @LouiseBrooksBob3 жыл бұрын

    One of the potential hazards of contacts between QRP stations in a low noise environment is other stations with a high noise floor not even knowing that the existing QSO is taking place.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    2 жыл бұрын

    Interesting.

  • @Aussat
    @Aussat3 жыл бұрын

    Great Tom that was really cool, I'm amazed there are idiots even on CW.... Haven't done it for years myself, this makes me want to get back into it! Well done!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Kiwi, I enjoyed making that video. Great scenery. Yeah there's a jerk out there.

  • @SevenFortyOne
    @SevenFortyOne3 жыл бұрын

    Great contact!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    I think so too!

  • @Fix_n_Fly
    @Fix_n_Fly3 жыл бұрын

    Very cool area and a nice contact to boot. And next time maybe catch lunch.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, what I like most about it is I didn't feel like someone was going to walk up on me and be suspicious.

  • @theexperimentalcqdx4208
    @theexperimentalcqdx42083 жыл бұрын

    Tom, be so nice to visit one day and do CW with u in the parks. You have such open safe spacers.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Maybe one day! What parts are you in?

  • @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hamradiocq Tom I'm in South Africa, Johannesburg grid location KG33XV, google grid mapper

  • @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    @theexperimentalcqdx4208

    3 жыл бұрын

    Tom, try organize Ron your buddy to do a camping CW stint together. Just an idea if Ron is not too far from you, would also boost his channel.

  • @softstart100
    @softstart1003 жыл бұрын

    Nice contact I must admit even I got a little excited.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    You and me both!

  • @Peacemaker29073
    @Peacemaker290733 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Great location. Looks like you are on a dam but the lake level is really low.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey, Pat, I looked on the map and it seems so.... Usually dams have something to regulate the water flow though.

  • @Johnyrocket70
    @Johnyrocket702 жыл бұрын

    Cool videos bro. No need to be obsessed with the swr being 1:01 its 1/5 1/7 will work fine. Lots of people have to live with 2 to 1

  • @douglasdreger3852
    @douglasdreger38523 жыл бұрын

    Very awesome QSO. Half Moon Bay is not far from me. A two way QRP into California is great. The steps are erosional platforms from when the lake is receding. I. The spring I wonder if the lake has more water.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Douglas, those steps seemed so perfect I thought they were man made!

  • @K4NFPRadioelectronics
    @K4NFPRadioelectronics3 жыл бұрын

    Coo video! I'd say that building is monitoring the water. Probably quality, water level, weather, etc. It's a log periodic antenna, and since it's like an X pattern it might be a half-wave antenna. 73s DE K4NFP

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, def the weather. I wonder how it connects and gathers information on the satellite?

  • @K4NFPRadioelectronics

    @K4NFPRadioelectronics

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hamradiocq Who knows! That's an interesting box though!

  • @tommycheshire5508
    @tommycheshire55083 жыл бұрын

    You still had a fun trip. Glad things went well for you. Tommy. N4KBM

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised. Makes for a dud video if there's no contact.

  • @Rhino-mt1rf
    @Rhino-mt1rf3 жыл бұрын

    Satellite Antenna appears to be a Circular Polarized Yagi for either sending Data to or gathering Data from a Satellite regarding the Dam or water conditions of the Lake. Great Video by the way, always enjoy following you. N9SOX

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey, Alan. I love that comment. I was wondering what that was. Now I know more.

  • @dangleitz2134
    @dangleitz21343 жыл бұрын

    cool intro!

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey is this the Dan I know and love?

  • @dangleitz2134

    @dangleitz2134

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hamradiocq Yep

  • @roystutts6822
    @roystutts68223 жыл бұрын

    Hello Tom,I just watch your set up on KZread ,I got something off Amazon last week,the Lom Tap 6.5 ft Light stand portable made out of aluminum & plastic ,weight is 1.165 kg ,adiustable height 68cm folded up to 200cm .I added the mirror mount MfJ -342 onto the tripod cost of Lom Tap 6.5 tripod was 20.00 ,shipping extra ,Iam going to use this on my Big Stick Vertical portable sets up differents areas in Va,Nc and up in Blue Ridge mountains places.73,Roy WD4EIB

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sound great Roy, make a video for us!

  • @charlescompton4495
    @charlescompton44953 жыл бұрын

    That was a great demonstration. The other day I commented about using a Pixie type transceiver; If you look my call up on QRZ you can see one I built for 75 meters...3.960 to be exact. Yes, I talk to some of my buddies in CW and copy them voice. I etched the board so I could fit it in the tin with the battery. Notice all the caps that I used to get the offset for side tone. I got lazy and never added them up to replace them with a single capacitor. Just for fun! Greg KA8ZAF Oh, I built a mag loop for 20-40; I may hook up my Rockmites some day before the weather changes on 20 or 40. Keep having fun and don't let the knotheads bother you; they've been around all 34 years I've been a ham.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Charles, great comment. I like that Pixie you mentioned. Like I said I still can't believe that works. I"ll have to dig out mine and fire it up. Knotheads! Yeah they are everywere.

  • @TwoFeatherChannel
    @TwoFeatherChannel3 жыл бұрын

    I think those steps are to slow the erosion. Do they make a box that reads and writes cw? I’ve seen something like that by MFJ but not sure if that is what it does. Looking for something to practice on before I transmit for real.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey there 2Feather. I hear ya. Please look into my vidoe on the "Winkeyer". kzread.info/dash/bejne/eHeEtpSjoaWydZM.html

  • @ksb2112
    @ksb21123 жыл бұрын

    Casting a line into a tree IS fishing. For QSOs.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    ok

  • @simonbeliveau6852
    @simonbeliveau68523 жыл бұрын

    Tnx fer vid! So was California accross the lake or the other way around?

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    2 жыл бұрын

    CA was across the lake, that is West of OK

  • @Nfarer
    @Nfarer3 жыл бұрын

    Do you think this antenna setup is superior to using a dipole in a tree? I'm using a j pole with a ht, low power in a valley

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely not. Wires, dipoles are far superior. I use this to demonstrate it's easy setup and there's no trees to use for dipoles.

  • @hardenpt2522
    @hardenpt25223 жыл бұрын

    Hey Man, all of the cw abbreviations/subtitles. Where can i find them? Using common sense you can make out a few but some Im lost.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Find what?

  • @hardenpt2522

    @hardenpt2522

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hamradiocq when are receiving, other than the “Q” codes I have no idea what they mean. I prob need to pay closer attention.

  • @ryanmiller6530
    @ryanmiller65303 жыл бұрын

    What portable key is that? It looks slick.

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    That is the "pico paddle" google it for more info.

  • @ryanmiller6530

    @ryanmiller6530

    3 жыл бұрын

    Aw darn. That’s what I was afraid of. Discontinued, and the cheap 3D printed copies on eBay look gross.

  • @richardg4817
    @richardg48173 жыл бұрын

    How fun! Two questions - do you usually have the preamp on? I don’t hear much on my KX3 unless it is on! Also, what keyer are you using and is it still available on the market? 73, WA6HQQ

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Richard. I do not have the preamp on. I try to limit everything. I use the "pico paddle" in this case. It's kind of expensive but I like it. I don't know, it's been a while, but do a search on google for pico paddle.

  • @brianmatthews232
    @brianmatthews2323 жыл бұрын

    terraced wall is a dam :-D

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Where is the part where they control the water flow in most dams? Also, where can I get some dam bait?

  • @brianmatthews232

    @brianmatthews232

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@hamradiocq It could be under the surface. The tower may be a sensing/control centre, hence the satellite comms?

  • @eduardogarciamontesdeoca5935
    @eduardogarciamontesdeoca59353 жыл бұрын

    Nice QSO!!! I really like it!! De W5EGM

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! That was fun to make!

  • @colincolin30
    @colincolin303 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tom, great to see your making AR media again. You were playing with a compromise antenna at home and not having much luck. I sold all those types of antennas as they are compromise antennas as you know. I thought I would show you what we are doing here in VK to work DX. Alex vk2prc has a system which gives a perfect match for 40m and 20m. check out this video kzread.info/dash/bejne/mH2tu7etnbmuorA.html He is now making the matcher for other. 73 Colin vk2jcc

  • @m0bob
    @m0bob3 жыл бұрын

    It's not unusual......lol

  • @hamradiocq

    @hamradiocq

    2 жыл бұрын

    :) Tom Jones?