How much difference does a REAL antenna make? QRP CW POTA at K-5221

[@JayN4GO]

Would’ve liked to hear the kx2 A/b comparison. Same band condx no pre Amps

[@EvanK2EJT]

That's the next video which will go live on 10/12 :D I ran them side by side during the same activation. It was interesting

[@JayN4GO]

@@EvanK2EJT Vry cool 😎

[@EvanK2EJT]

@@JayN4GO Yeah, I actually went out three days after I shot this video and did that exact comparison. Hot swapped the antenna mid activation..... During a pileup lol

[@k9eihamradio]

I made a 40/30/20 Linked Dipole for my SW-3B. Cool!

[@EvanK2EJT]

That's the radio I originally had in mind when I built this antenna!

[@k9eihamradio]

I think I will make another one this weekend more similar to yours. But, I always use a mix 31 common mode choke at the feed point and I cut my coax at 1/2 wavelength for the fundamental frequency. @@EvanK2EJT

[@EvanK2EJT]

@@k9eihamradio I'm FAR too lazy to do that LOL. I will occasionally run a toroid, but I usually just coil up the coax because I'm lazy and toroids are heavy.

[@k9eihamradio]

Ha, yeah I get it. I'm an antenna builder though and I just have to. @@EvanK2EJT

[@DK5ONV]

Fantastic Video. 73 de Uncle Günter 💯🙋‍♂

[@EvanK2EJT]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@goobercrow198]

Nice activation, so let me ask, if your goal is minimum 10 qso's wouldn't it be best just to always use the dipole (as it is clearly better)? As you can get in and out quicker than if you struggle with a compromise vertical. I get it that it is fun to experiment with antennas but you could do that at home. I suppose not all locations are conducive for a wire setup but I bet most are. Just a goober thinking like a goober

[@EvanK2EJT]

Sometimes it's hard to put up a huge wire antenna. Sometimes you CAN'T put up a wire antenna. The little compromise antennas like the AX2 are fun to mess with, but they aren't great for making lots of contacts (as you've seen). I generally like to run full size resonant antennas, but it's just not always possible.

[@Dave-AA0IW]

Great video, Evan. I have to agree that the audio from your TX-500 sounded great. I'm curious, have you considered a trapped EFHW? I recently built one for use with my MTR4B and absolutely love it simply because I no longer have to go through the "drop mast, connect/disconnect links, raise mast" process to change bands. I built mine for 20-30-40 meters QRP, but you can do any bands you want (obviously). I used 26AWG poly stealth wire and the whole antenna is compact and light.

[@EvanK2EJT]

That's a good idea! I'll have to build one and give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion, and thanks for watching!

[@Swamp-Fox]

Great activation! That antenna worked well for you! I really like that TX-500.

[@Matt61702]

Wow, no kidding on that audio! I see why you like it so much. It sounds like a code practice oscillator… no band noise at all!

[@EvanK2EJT]

The thing is insane. Yeah, it has its downsides, but audio definitely isn't one of them.