Minimalist Radio setup - can it work? Elecraft KX2 + AX1 antenna in the park.
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- Опубліковано 30 жов 2024
- This video starts a new playlist on my channel, devoted to minimalist, often QRP radio set-ups. I called it "Radio Minimus". This time I took my Elecraft KX2 and its antenna AX1, the most minimalist design I've ever seen to the forest park. The Elecraft people put this antenna as a "walking-and-talking" design, and it certainly is. Actually, the whole radio with this antenna becomes a "walkie-talkie" on HF! But what can I really make with this antenna? Can I hear anything? Anybody would answer me? Well, I've tried and can confirm - yes, it is possible to make contacts with this set-up but you have to be just patient. This antenna is base-loaded with a coil with the switch to change between 20m and 17m bands. Strangely enough, the antenna is not resonant on neither of them, it takes a built-in KX2 tuner to get it tuned. It seems that was made on purpose by the designers. I'd be glad to hear comments from you other guys what was your experience with this Elecraft "toy"!
In my next videos in this playlist I'm gonna make more stories on how other simple radios and antennas work, like 3m home made vertical on a cheap fishing pole, how does the QRP radio called "Moskita" doing on 40m , why I still keep my FT-817 radio, etc. Stay tuned, subscribe if you feel like this! 73! Linas LY2H
Linas, I missed this one when it came out.
I've had limited success with the AX1. Thomas K4SWL, has had excellent success. I love your videos. Being a minimalist myself, I find your ingenuity and insights fit my operating style. Even your mobile videos have helped me in the field. You are my Elmer!
72 de W7UDT
I am a big fan of QRP/minimalist radio. Please share more of them. N7SR
Sure, more stories coming! CUL! 73 Linas LY2H
Yes! very well done and to the point... more please.
Thanks Roy! If you like the AX1 and would like to try it out with other radios without an ATU, you may find this useful :
ua-cam.com/video/SE2EtVw9lho/v-deo.html
73! Linas LY2H
@@Linas_LY2H Thanks very much for the link Linas. Will have a look after... Too busy enjoying your videos and a wealth of information you are sharing.. kudos to you.
Well done Sir. Please keep the QRP/minimalist videos coming!
Just got my KX2 ....loved your video. Just subscribed. All best 73 from Southern California, USA :-)
Thanks Al! KX2 is a great choice, still hard to beat on the QRP market. I'm sure you'll have tons of fun with yours! 73! Linas LY2H
Great video! QRP can be a hard business sometimes :-) . I like those minimalistic setups! 73, Stephan, DF6PA
Nice little tranceiver Linas. Keep going!
Well done! I love my KX2! What a fun, great little radio.
Excellent content 😊 well pleased!
Excellent video !
Love mine om. Great video. Thanks!
Outstanding, thanks!
I used the AX1 on a IC-705 and added about 12" of solid copper wire to the end of the whip. I then adjusted the length of the whip. I was able to manual tune the antenna through out the entire 20m band. Hunted a park in Texas from Maryland. Received a 4 4 signal report.
Awesome! Actually, AX1 has been designed to use in combination with an amazing KX2 antenna tuner, but you've got it running without a tuner at all! Nice! Thanks for watching! 73! Linas LY2H
fantastic job my friend 73 from kb2uew
Kool serup !
Ein Elecraft hätte ich auch gern . MFG eure Conny
Danke!
Enjoy your videos very much. How did you calculate the length of the wires for the capacitance hat you used - 1`1 cm per leg ? Tnx in advance
Thank you very much Robert! I don't use the capacity hat in this video. If you are asking about the capacity hat to the AX-1 antenna in order to use this antenna with IC-705 and other tunerless radios, it's in this video:
ua-cam.com/video/SE2EtVw9lho/v-deo.htmlsi=sqYEAaVFWf8jHUEW
My answer to a similar question is in the comments section there:
"One rule of thumb reads that the capacity hat electrically lengthens the antenna 2 or 3 times its diameter.
It's like, the hat 10cm in diameter should lengthen the electrical length of the antenna by 20-30 cm. In my case, 1 needed to electrically lengthen my whip for 40 "electrical" centimeters (from resonance at ~15.3 Mhz, calcualted electrical length of 1/4 quarter wavelength ~ 466cm, to the wanted resonance at 14.1 MhZ, calc 1/4 wI ~ 506 cm. 506-466=40.). So l chose the diameter of the cap ~20cm, which turned to be pretty much in tact. But again, the size/geometry of the hat is not critical, it gives a big room for experimenting. " Hope, this helps. 73!
Linas LY2H
@@Linas_LY2H Linas - Thank you very much. Yes, cap hat with AX1. I've watched several of your videos and learn a lot. They are very helpful. Hope to work you sometimes. 73 de K4RLC Bob
Great well done thank you for posting 73 Karl KE3KWE
I am guessing the antenna will work on other radios like the X5105 ?
I guess so. But the radio must have an ATU , installed or external. The Elecraft writes in its webpage that this antenna supposed to be used with the tuner. They also state that this antenna is resonant on 20m in the lower switch position, in my case it was not. I measured the resonance with my FG-1 antenna analyser and it red the resonance, with the stock counterpoise connected, 16,6 Mhz in the lower switch position, and 22,1Mhz in the upper switch position. So, either my AX1 is defective, or the manufacturer's statement about the resonance on 20m band is misleading :). But their statement that the built-in ATU will do a job on all bands , 20 and up, is correct. I can tune the AX1 up easily on all these bands. IMHO, it could have been done on purpose not having this antenna resonant on no particular band but, insted, to have a 300-450 ohms of impedance on all bands with the goal of easy tune up with the built-in KX2 tuner ( which is just a fantastic tuner! ). And if you don't have the tuner installed yet, and you want this AX1 antenna, it would be a great motivation to buy the tuner and the antenna, wouldn't it? :) 73! Linas LY2H
@@Linas_LY2H Excellent , after watching many videos including yours ive ordered the antenna and all the extras so should be with me soon and yes the X5105 as the built in ATU :) , I also do the Flora Fauna and I am the log manager for the UK GxFF so may work your fine station sometime from the UK mainly beach portable :) keep up the great work 73 Carl 2E0HPI 44
Well? No line loss! HiHi
Might work better on mountains.