POTA Lunch Box Radio: Pairing the Penntek TR-45L and the Elecraft AX1

[@douglassharafanowich8605]

Imagine if the TR-45L had the AX1 built into the radio. Make it spring-loaded to pop up like the old Zenith Transoceanic SWL radios. Well, we can dream... 😎

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes!

[@jamescoffey5225]

Rather than messing with potential damage to the AX1 or to the radio's BNC connector, why not just "bite the bullet" and use the tripod? Interesting radio and Elecraft antenna. Great video too. Thanks 72 de AE5ZX

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Great question! I'm not worried about the AX1 harming the BNC on the TR-45L. It's a durable and well-built radio. I use a tripod pretty regularly with the AX1, actually.

[@jamescoffey5225]

@@ThomasK4SWL Good! I always wonder or actually worry about direct connection of an antenna (other than a flimsy wire!) to a bnc. Over time the wear and tear of weight on the bnc could loosen its connection to a circuit board. Nice antenna, however! I am surprised that it works so well considering that it is so highly loaded.

[@barrykery1175]

Nice video. Great Paddles ! I have three sets of them. What a difference they made in my CW. I use two in the primary station and one set is for portable. Barry, KU3X

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Such great audio and filters! The retro look and function is just icing on the cake.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Agreed!

[@n7tb]

Love your videos and thanks for the individual emails you have sent me. Tom, I am envous of your geographic location for POTA. I would love to use my AX1 for POTA, but living in W. Oregon, I don't have the population density you do for its normal range. Unfortunately, other than CA, the west is not large in population with alot of open space. I do ok with my verticals, but not alot of contacts with the AX1 when time is short for POTA. Interestingly, with my verticals, I get a few contacts in UT, AZ and CA, but most are from OH east. 73, Thanks for your POTA videos!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, geography does play a major role when using compromised antennas. Your main propagation footprint lands in one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world (save, of course, California).

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

Wonderful vid, Tom You do some great work. Thank you. lc

[@TridentMissileTech]

Guess I will pull out my pentek 35 and pretend. Love the look of that radio

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh, the TR-35 is an AMAZING little radio!

[@binder098]

Loved the comment…. “Slap your keys around like they owe you money”, I really want that Traveller, one more activation by you using it and I may bite the bullet and buy one to slap around.

[@Quoodle1]

You can put a larger spade connector on that counterpoise so it'll connect to your preferred radio easier. Also, a counterpoise can be any wire, so you can get a more flexible wire with less memory if you want. 73

[@Quoodle1]

p.s. That's a real cool looking radio....

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, I will likely make a dedicated counterpoise for the TR-45L. The small space plug is perfect for the KX3/KX2 which I pari more often with this antenna.

[@w1rcp]

12:55 - right out of the gate! I’m almost as far as you can get in Georgia, though, and a good distance from you here in the southwest part of the state. Rob -W1RCP

[@HL1KKC]

I enjoyed watching it. thank you very much

[@JayN4GO]

Love the rig man. I think you were a spy 🕵️‍♀️ once upon a past life 😂

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! I think I've always been romanced by the idea of being a spy--especially when I was a kid. Then again, each time I read a book about real-life spies? I realize so quickly how I am not cut out for that business. :) My personality does not meet the successful spy profile. Still, with the tR-45L and AX1, I can still pretend! Ha ha!

[@JayN4GO]

@@ThomasK4SWL I grew up around detectives. As an adolescent I admired psychological thrillers. I really should have pursued that but it’s not an easy place once retired. For now the girl’s “kids” still can’t pull one over on me but I’m sure that days coming. Haha 73 bond Tom Bond

[@adam-g7crq]

Hi Thomas thanks for the video, I really like my AX1, the one thing I haven't done yet is compare the difference between the AX1 and ham sticks I reckon there can't be much in it, something for me to try out when the WX gets warmer in the UK.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

If you compare them, let us know how that goes!

[@Om-nom-nomigon]

What a fun activation! I find I am copying the CW a little better each time I watch one of your videos. I have to admit that I didn’t realise that POTA was a thing outside of the US, but it turns out that there is one just a few km cycle ride from my house so that will be fun when my kx2 arrives

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! Very well done on your CW journey! Fair warning: this CW and POTA stuff is really addictive!

[@rod0325]

I love those pull offs. I used to live down the street from the Moses Cone park. Loved the activation. KO4ZFO

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Moses Cone is a beautiful spot. I'm planning to go there in a few weeks and fit in two SOTA activations from the carriage trails!

[@billcosgrave6232]

👍

[@M0DQO-BeachMobileDx]

Every video is another encouragement for me to crack on with improving my morse speed and get out there now the UK weather is improving... I do have a question, do you get many people asking you what you are doing? I set up a station in my local forest and you would have thought I was a spy sending out special messages by the amount of passing traffic.. It was great to show radio in the correct light, but its slightly easier with SSB over morse, as most of the time they say.. What is all that beeping?? lol Another great video Thomas..... 73's de M0DQO

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for the kind comment, Chris. I have been asked at least twice if I was a spy. I've been asked at least a dozen times, "Is that Morse Code I'm hearing?" When I say yes, they reply to their partner, "I told you so!" I then explain what it is I'm doing. :) I always have my "elevator pitch" ready describing what POTA and SOTA are. Funny, but less people approach me in a park. This might be because I typically try to set up away from the main traffic areas, just to make it less probably someone will walk into my antenna. :) On summits? I'm often on or near a trail. If there's anyone else on the summit--there's a very strong likelihood they ask what I'm doing. I've had a number of people ask if I'm doing some sort of wildlife survey (I assume they think I'm tracking animals with my radio). :)

[@AlpineWarren]

Thanks for this! I have been on the list for this radio for a bit and am looking forward to getting it! 73! Does the LCD screen have a backlight?

[@brian-k3es680]

Hi Warren, I was on the waiting list, and my number came up a few weeks ago! Yes, the TR-45L has a backlight for both the screen and the meter. Even better, it has high and low settings. I noticed that Thomas had his set to low for this activation (saves battery). Best 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@AlpineWarren]

@@brian-k3es680 thank you! 73 de AB6YA

[@TridentMissileTech]

You have caused me to buy so many radios and accessories. Im now price checking the 45L. Im going have to stop watching your videos. It’s like an addiction. I just ordered the ax1 last week

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! Sorry about that!