POTA Activation: New N0SA portable paddles & the Elecraft AX1 shows off. Again.

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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@rabbit6914]

Amazing activation! Short antennas work well with low ground resistance. Some wet concrete has high RF conductivity. Maybe you had a super ground plane coupled through the "counterpoise" wire. :)

[@k8drtqrp]

I received mine a couple of weeks ago and finally got out to activate yesterday. I can say I love these little paddles! I feel very lucky to have acquired a set. Quite a nice piece of kit. Larry does some fantastic work.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

He does indeed! They're amazing little paddles.

[@southjersey10]

I have to say that this video has encouraged me to get proficient in the CW mode. And to keep a radio pack handy. Mark K3DEX

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I must admit that CW opens up a boat load of magic and convenience. You can get away with incredibly modest power output and super simple equipment. It's not nearly as difficult to learn as one might think. Check out the Long Island CW Club--they've amazing resources. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@vancelanger7749]

Looks like a neat spot ;)

[@walteredwards544]

The other mini antennas are the MFJ 1899T, the Comet HFJ 350M and the Wonder Wand Wonder Loop. The Comet is inconsistent it that's because I haven't figured it completely out yet and the Wonder Loop is pretty good but it's limited by it's small size and if it's attached directly to the radio you have to rotate the entire radio to compensate for the null.

[@potatoslim2332]

This was a nice video to watch this morning. I like your backpack! The paddle you were thinking of was Palm Paddle paddles. I managed to get my hands on one of their portable straight keys. The overall quality control is really nice. You simply can't find any of their paddles now on the used market. Closest i've seen in design is to just 3D print one yourself.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That's right! Thank you for jogging my memory. I searched for Palm Paddles for ages--they're very difficult to find used. I've stopped looking now that I have these.

[@alan4cars]

I need to be out in a park operating QRP. Instead I am watching you making numerous contacts on a week day using that little snibler of an antenna. lol

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha!!! I say the same thing when I watch someone doing a kit build..."I should be building a kit!" Actually, I just did yesterday. It had been weeks since I fired up the soldering iron!

[@ai5dd]

I have a new found respect for verticals, I setup my CHA TDL in the MPAS Lite configuration, I used the 25' antenna element as a counterpoise and was amazed how well my KX2 tuned 80 and 40. Worked extremely well on 20. Thanks for suggesting this antenna, Chameleon is a top notch company. 73 de AI5DD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, Chameleon products are second to none in terms of quality. I've given all of my CHA antennas a workout and they hold up so amazingly well. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@jimmcdonald4034]

push that rate button to stabilize to your signal on both send and receive

[@brian-k3es680]

Another great video, Thomas. You are always a great inspiration to get out and on the air in a park! 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, Brian.

[@barrykery1175]

Neat paddles. Thanks for posting. Yet another well done video. Always look forward to watching them. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Barry!

[@qrptedmac]

Saw ya on today. I was home but between the pileup and for some reason my noise floor was 7, you were maybe 299. So I just said, I’ll catch Thomas again sometime.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Next time for sure, OM! There was a nice rolling pileup going on yesterday.

[@kristhompson8112]

Hey Thomas Finally received my KX3 in the post last week from Alabama in the US, all the way down to the ass-end of the planet in Auckland ,New Zealand . the dream begins.... P.S, USPs don't deliver to this part of the world anymore and Fedex suck as it sat in Auzzie for 2 whole weeks going nowhere, which reminds me back to "Hey.. How did the wedding go" , Always love a good wedding on a nice sunny day last time I checked in. Now "neck" high in menu diving the operators manual, you make it look soooo easy as now I truely appreciate how well you know your way around the radio, I'm aiming to catch up buddy so watch ya tail.. Always find the nice slow uncut pace of your posts somewhat cathartic and I live somehow vicariously through you. Our chat walking back to the carpark a couple of months ago strangely odd to the outsider, but I was walking along side you listening intently (Non-Resonant vs. Resonant Antennas) reminded me of being back in the USA, maybe I'll get back one day and smell that US air etc Want to go back to Yosemite Nat Park someday and do a hike. Watchin from afar Kris Regards & 73's . P.S those little paddles and their amazing build quality just make me want to learn CW , Got to HAVE some one-day .

[@sonarmb]

Excellent video mate. I have yet to try my AX1 with my KX3. Hopefully soon. 73 de VK6MMB

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Go for it, mate! Your mileage might vary in VK land, but I suspect you'll be very pleased with its performance. It's an insanely easy antenna to pack and deploy. 73, Thomas

[@m.p.6330]

I've got a SOTA paddle coming as well. I've been looking for a small portable paddle. Great video as always.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You'll love the SOTA Paddle!

[@AA0Z]

I was lucky enough to get one of Larry's new SOTA paddles. I have one of his SSP paddles, which is awesome. Just on a whelm a few weeks ago, I emailed Larry to ask him if I could purchase another SSP paddle and he said he had a new design out and sent me the info. Within 2 mins of getting that email, I had sent Larry my $$$. This new paddle is great. Like you, I heard he only made 20 or so of them. I'm glad I was lucky enough to grab one. I'll have both those paddles for the rest of my life.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You are lucky, indeed! He's not planning to make many more of these paddles. They are brilliant.

[@CdnRockiesRadio]

I'm using my paddle this week coming up, I'm lucky I got the last one and he held on to it for me till I got paid. He is a awesome gentlemen and I'm so excited to have one of his pieces of art. 73 De VE6JTW, Jesse

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You'll love these paddles! They feel amazing and are so lightweight. I'm super pleased. You're right: Larry is a true gentleman. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@jonthompson2179]

KA6TVX Just got back from a park successful park activation. Thanks for your encouragement

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Brilliant, Jon! I hope to work you P2P someday!

[@qrptedmac]

Got my n0sa paddles and they are definitely presision. Excellent. PS: I see the NC triangle propagation worm hole is at it again. Man. PPS: I got one of those maxpedition fatty’s and the next biggest. They are or were doing a BOGO. I needed somewhere to keep the Ax1 kit. PPPS: I watched a vid with Wayne and there’s a new AX1 base being released and a new keyer.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! Thanks for all of the excellent news. I'm planning to test the new AX2 antenna--excited to see how well it works. Those Maxpedition pouches are fantastic and great quality.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

And, yes, that propagation hole reared its ugly head again!

[@RedSummitRF]

FB Thomas. Those N0SA paddles look great. I've been resisting reaching out to Larry to purchase them because I already have his SSP mini. It's probably too late now anyway. I assume the other paddles you were referring to are the Palm Radio Pico paddles. Still my favorite and primary key.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes the Pico paddles! The stuff of legends, I hear! Larry makes amazing paddles. I think he might possibly do a second run of the SOTA paddles at some point.

[@TridentMissileTech]

Eastern NC in a drought. Wish we could get some rain

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I hear ya. Rain has been very selective in NC this year.

[@tommcmichael8679]

OK you AX1 Show Off!

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Another great adventure! Thomas!. neat little antenna, for sure. one thing I've come to the conclusion of over the years. there is no such thing as a bad antenna as far as working period. anything will work. as long as you can load a radio to it. you can work someone. they just have to be in the antenna's footprint. where that is? depends on its size, length, height, I've heard guys load up VW bumpers. fact I worked a guy mobile with one one time. When it comes to antennas they are as diverse as the people who use them each had its own personality. and capability. Thanks for showing the whip/counter poise setup and activation, and thanks for sharing. 73 gud dx! de Ellis WA1RKS

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Very well said, Ellis!

[@JayN4GO]

Congrats agn Thomas on the recognition from VM es the arrl. Well deserved brother. 😃 by the way. I added 2 more counterpoise wires to the 9:1 pac tenna and boy did it make that come alive. Incredible really! I’m curious if you have a wolf river coil antenna that you can try on the table with 1 counterpoise just to see how it competes with the ax1. The bucks are starting into rut here in KY so I hope to get some footage soon. Love fall and being outdoors. I plan to take the kx2 with me for boredom hehe

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know, I've never tried the WRC with only one counterpoise--I've always used three. I may give that a go sometime soon. Also wanted to see if the WRC would pair with my Chameleon picnic table clamp. Enjoy the outdoors, OM! I love this time of year--especially with humidity taking a hike for a few months! :)

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

I think your SWR is changing due tuning with your hand on the paddle and without. When you set it down you are changing the antenna system. I think (not sure) but the cage of the paddle is not insulated from "ground". Might be a bit more consistant if you were able to isolate that from your body? I have a KX2 and palm paddle, which is "encased" in plastic, so can't say for sure about that paddle, just a guess.. 73 ka0ncr

[@SkyWire88]

Hello--- Where is your activation location? Closest town? I am taking baby steps into POTA, and as soon as I Get a rig (maybe the KX3), I' m gonna take a stab at it. I have the perfect location in mind. I have been off the air for YEARS! Looks like it's a blast. Those paddles look great, but I would want mine screwed down to "something". Thanks for the neat video. // WB3EFE / Hatboro, PA.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The activation location in this video is near Weaverville, NC, at the Vance State Historic Site. A beautiful little park! POTA is a blast! Hop on in, the water's fine!

[@BikingHikingRadio]

That's an amazing little antenna! Thanks for the P2P as well! 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Scott!

[@BikingHikingRadio]

@@ThomasK4SWL I just finished watching the video tonight and realized when you were talking about your QRP rigs, that the IC 705 got no mention. It's nice to have choices with QRP CW. Looking forward to the x6100 when it arrives!

[@jburchm1]

Does the AX1 work better with the counterpoise elevated, or on the ground? Or is there no difference?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I need to deploy it sometime with the counterpoise elevated and test it. I should think it might even do better elevated.

[@WilliamParmley]

Why am I putting up a 40 ft. mast and a 49:1 transformer and stringing out 65 ft. of wire? :-)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I know, right--? Each time I use the AX1, I ask myself that very question. :)

[@WC9Beau]

Interesting Antenna log, maybe you covered it before but what type of data do you keep in there? Would be interested in seeing a comparison of CW VS SSB contacts. I’m sure CW is way more but being as I’m thinking about getting one for SSB.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So I've operated CW about 95% of the time I've used the AX1 mainly because it's become my favorite mode. I have made some excellent contacts with SSB on the AX1, though. As for logs, I just keep a separate log book with my AX1 so I can go back and look at the results. I've never actually compiled the data and analyzed it, though.

[@WC9Beau]

That’s what I figured. Being 95% SSB and trying to do marathon activations. Im trying to figure out an antenna that will let me activate all of DC in the least amount of time and smallest footprint.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@WC9Beau besides the AX1, the CHA MPAS Lite is one of the quickest-to-deploy antennas I have. It's worked brilliantly for me in a wide variety of situations.

[@CdnRockiesRadio]

The pico palm paddle??

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That's the one I was trying to think of!

[@mikemiles3068]

Good fun video❗️73. KV5P