Three Watts of Power: Pairing the Elecraft AX1, Mountain Topper MTR-3B, and N6ARA TinyPaddle!

[@kq6up]

I have had great success using AX1. I have worked from California to Alabama on 40m with my MTR and AX1, so no it is not a dummy load :D

[@lyledal]

I am always amused and amazed that whenever you have an unexpected little bit of open time, you fill it with POTA. Impressive!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Honestly? If I didn't squeeze in activation like this, I'd only be activating 30% of the amount of parks I do now. They're actually kind of fun. :)

[@mikemiles3068]

Great video Thomas❗️In bad weather I cut my output power down to 25 watts grab my AX1 put it on my little by the window and clamp on 33’ radial that out my window and use my AX1 without a problem. It’s a great little Antenna.👍

[@GaryUtz]

Another great activation Tom. Enjoyed the comments regarding the AX1 and use of the TinyPaddle! 72 de KE2YK

[@MichaelOfRohan]

I love people who get excited about being allotted an extra hour for radio time. You are a welcome voice on my phone, sir.

[@MichaelLloyd]

I guess N6ARA's site is down. I really enjoyed this and I was very happy when you picked up the slower code person. I'm away from home for work a lot but that's about to change for the better. I'm a 6m aholic but this inspired me to break out my MTR-3B, Elecraft rigs, and AX1 to start finding my way back to CW and portable ops. 73 NE5U

[@mikak1]

Nice tripod. The AX-1 is an awesome antenna. I ordered one in mid-December for a trip to Hawaii in January based on your videos. Did not receive the antenna until late February, due to issues with the supply chain. Elecraft did notify me of the delay. It was well worth the wait. My intent was to use the AX-1 when traveling, specifically while on long distance motorcycle rides. I have been a SOTA activator since 2014, but recently started a few POTA activations. This antenna has been performing excellent when testing it at parks. I always operate 5w QRP with my KX3. From Southern California, I have made DX contacts to Ukraine, Belgium, Italy, France, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Portugal, Dominican Republic. Have yet to try it with my MTR3b or MTR4b. I have also not yet tried it connected dir3ectly to the KX3. I set it up on a tripod that I keep in my motorcycle compartment. On a side note, I had only used my MTR3b about six times when the two up/down buttons on the radio stopped functioning. Still a nice radio and my work around is to use the DFE to enter a frequency. Thanks for your videos. Mike - N6MKW

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Wow, Mike! That's some impressive DX from the west coast! That is one of the things I love about SOTA. I would check in with LnR Precision--perhaps you can get some replacement buttons. I bet that can be fixed. Sounds like you've got a great setup! Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@phildurall7466]

I am so bummed now ... I just bought this as my new "dummy load" and you have shown that it is a "fail"! Sigghhh .... I guess I am just stuck with it now. 😆 Thanks for the after action report Thomas! 72, KF6IF

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha!!!! I think you're going to enjoy your new dummy load!

[@shawnp6653]

Thanks again for the ride along Thomas. I hope you make it to the grocery store on time ;)

[@jamescrofutt8767]

Great Video, your presentation is excellent and well presented, Few things to try, One is RG-174u is really not the best cable to use for longer than a 6 ft run, as SWR loss increases( like all coax cable) losses build, quickly in length with that tiny cable and why most hams using tiny verticals only use them for jumpers, Having the tuner and the AX-1 near your radio is not that much of a disadvantage as keeping losses to a minimum are really the keys using small portable verticals and qrp power level. , Messing with trying to resonate these tiny antennas is really a waste of time, let the tuner match the antenna and keep feedline out of the mix as much as possible I like you have had great luck with the AX1 as well as the MFJ 1899t, Once you toss any radial on the ground the standard quarter wave radial formula goes out the window, you can get away with a shorter one , about 13 feet on 20 and 23 feet on 40 and get about the same results, elevating the radial is always best at least 2 feet off the ground really can improve efficiency (this is the principle that Buddy Pole uses for their portable Vertical antennas and works of course you need a branch or bush to hook to or have to carry a cheap electric fence insulator post from your local hardware store if no supports available, but I use the ground a lot as I try to carry as little as I can to the field and am always looking for ways to improve the signal with the smallest pack I can take to the field, I am talking portable Verticals here which is all I use these days. I Love the Mountain Topper, just a super great little radio keepsup the great work and know were all enjoying your videos very much, I also find common mode is not much of an issue at Qrp power levels, 73 Jim N0XE

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks for the tips, Jim! A quick note is that I actually use RG-316, but it's in many ways similar to RG-174.

[@aka_rook]

Hi Thomas, thanks for the videos. I've been a SWL for many years and obtained my amateur callsign around 15 years ago. I've always wanted to learn morse and your videos are really inspiring. I'm also looking to get fit and the idea of QRP and outdoor radio really intrigues me!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

One of my favorite aspects of field radio is that it's not a sedentary activity. I'm not exactly a fitness buff (not by a long shot), but I love moving, hiking, and backpacking. This is why I love taking my radios to the field so much!

[@justgregm7843]

Two suggestions to make the antenna work better. The first is to add a second quarter wave counterpoise to antenna. Bring along one cut for 40 Meters also one gets 15. Bring a 20 meter one also. The second is to try a common mode choke (aka 1:1 current balun). It helps to make the rf power to go to the antenna. I hope this helps.

[@barrykery1175]

Simply amazing. Tiny radio and tiny antenna. Barry, KU3X

[@ve2zdx]

Thomas, to deploy my antenna I've been using an umbrella ground mount with a 10 meters fishing pole. It so easy and good, I also use the sotabeams wire. It's a good and cheap gear to gave around.

[@brian-k3es680]

Another great activation, Thomas. And the AX-1 continues to amaze! Best 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, OM!

[@michaellablanc6886]

Thomas, thanks for another great field report. I really appreciate and enjoy the format of your casual (unedited) videos. Have you ever paired the AX-1 with your FT-817? I own a FT-818 and with all your great success I am considering one of these for CW. Thanks again for sharing your adventures.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know, I haven't paired it with the FT-817ND yet, but I will for sure. If I attach it directly, I'll need to use a capacity hat on 20 meters. Since the FT-817/818 has no internal ATU, there's no way to tweak the impedance match. Of course, I could pair the two using a tripod to hold the AX1 and my T1 ATU between!

[@jerryweisskohl8313]

@@ThomasK4SWL There is a special cable Elecraft sells to interface the Ft-817 to the T1. I use it and it works great. It attaches to the left side of the T1.

[@AE6Z]

@@jerryweisskohl8313 What cable are you referring to? I can't find it on their website. TU!

[@alzeNL]

really love your videos ! that is a fantastic walk thru of your setup and then getting CW contacts on PoTA ! Amazing. I cant do CW (yet!) but cant wait to hear you on SSB ! 73 from 2E0FWE (New PoTA fan !)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Good on you for even putting CW on the table as a skill to learn! :) It's surprisingly fun to do. Yes indeed! I do hope I can work you some day on SSB (or CW). The path to the UK from here is improving on the higher bands. Welcome to POTA! 73, Thomas K4SWL / M0CYI

[@billcosgrave6232]

That is a good point regarding the number of ham operators in your area. Not sure but expect the amount of radio noise plays a big part as well. I can usually receive very well on this antenna but making contacts has been a challenge.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Noise would have a huge impact. Verticals aren't particularly good with noise rejection (of course, quite the opposite, in fact). Might be time to find a different spot to give it a go. I bet you'll have success.

[@qrptedmac]

Just got in my mtn topper Mtr4b V2.3. I ordered one of those bioenno 9v’s. But I did hook up a regular 9v battery and hit a rbn in Utah from my qth.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! Your new MTR-4B obviously has some good QRP mojo! Well done!

[@kurt53641]

I’m jealous. I’m still waiting to be able to order one before I get deployed to Poland.

[@qrptedmac]

@@kurt53641 Yeah they’re definitely backed up. And thx for your service. Good luck

[@rod0325]

Nice setup! Still learning park activations, so thanks for sharing your experiences. 73, Rodney KO4ZFO

[@aj2isotadxing]

I have an ax2 with my kx2 and it’s never let me down on a sota activation. Because when doing sota and pota, chasers and hunters will do what they can to work you. Calling cq randomly or working a random station would be a much greater challenge.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Exactly!

[@drbachler]

Enjoy your videos even though I don't know CW. Would certainly be fun to see some SSB on here as well. Keep up the good work.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

There's some coming up soon! :) I just recorded one today, but it might be a few weeks before it's posted.

[@potaactivator]

Another Terrible Antenna! Thomas, I had a ham call my whip antenna a "terrible antenna". He went on to lecture me how on inefficient and terrible it was. I use that antenna on 3/4's of my activations. Let's give it up for all the terrible antennas! Once again, great video. I've been holding out on buying the AX-1 for my KX-2 but my resolve is weakening. 73, my friend.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha ha!!! The "terrible antenna!" people are always the ones that don't actually use or try them. Here's to terrible antennas! Honestly? The AX1 has truly changed how I would pack for a multi-week trip to Europe. I could pack it and the KX2 in my carry on and do some insane SOTA stuff in the Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Austria.... Thank you for the comment, OM! It's been a while since we P2P'd. We need to fix that ASAP! :) Thomas (K4SWL)

[@Medic-ui9ms]

Thanks for the video! I tried my new AX1 out on a park activation with the KX2 last weekend and was impressed! I had 25 qso’s in less than an hour, including five to Europe. 73, NJ0Q

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! The AX1 is a brilliant POTA tool.

[@ai5dd]

Just started watching and you're talking about the Bioenno 9v 3ah? I ordered one and Bioenno emailed me after 2 and a half months and offered me a 9v 6ah with charger for no extra charge (maybe because I was waiting for so long without complaining?), man what great guys. Anyway, that battery gives me 4watts out on my MTR-4B, I saw that when I had my keyer in straight key mode tuning it, it showed 4.1 watts or something and 10.4 volts coming in from the battery (also the mtr-4b shows the SWR, in straight key mode, which I use for tuning and checking SWR). Just thought I would share that. 73 de AI5DD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for the SWR tip with the MTR-4B. Bioenno is a top-shelf company. I know of two others they upgraded for free due to the lead time on the battery they'd ordered. A 6 Ah battery on the MTR-4B might last until the next ice age! Ha ha!

[@ai5dd]

@@ThomasK4SWL No problem, have you tried that with your MTR-3B? Yeah, 6AH is a lot for the Mountain Topper xD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@ai5dd sadly, the MTR-3B has no SWR meter. I wish it did, though!

[@kurt53641]

What is in your emergency go kit for your mountain topper? I’m very curious about your packantenna especially with the mountain topper with antenna tuner setup.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Check out this post that describes the MTR-3B kit in detail: qrper.com/2022/01/my-new-mtr-3b-ultra-compact-field-kit-built-in-a-tom-bihn-hlt2/ All of my true emergency field kit items (first aid, water, fire startes, food, etc.) are in my SOTA pack. I need to make a detailed post/video about that soon.

[@AA0Z]

Totally off topic. Are those bear claw marks on the picnic bench?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hmmm...I don't think so. Those tables are made of some sort of ultra durable resin. It's more likely that they've been melted by something. Then again, there are bears all in that area. I'll need to take a closer look next time.

[@MichaelOfRohan]

He missed his 1 hour pickup... by 3 minutes xD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha!

[@w4mkh]

I really want an AX1 but I can't afford it t the moment. Is there a used market for the AX1? Great video and Field Report.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know? I don't think I've ever seen a used one, but I should think you would have great success with a "WTB" (Want To Buy) add on QTH.com, for example. It's the sort of antenna people buy, try once in their back yard for 5 minutes, then put it up and forget about it. I'm willing to bet you could find someone will to sell theirs. If you do, specify if you need the 40M extension, the bipod, or tripod adapter.

[@LouiseBrooksBob]

With such a short antenna, how much of the work is being done by the counterpoise? Having said that I have been mostly using various kinds of whip antenna recently, including hamsticks, 17 foot telescopics, and managed a few SSB phone contacts on 40m using a short base loaded telescopic single band antenna on the front antenna socket of an ft818nd, and that antenna is about 1.3m long.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

No doubt the counterpoise is an integral part of the AX1 antenna system. Without using a counterpoise, it's very difficult to get an impedance match and even if you do, the antenna is much, much less effective. So, yes, the counterpoise is incredibly important.

[@JayN4GO]

Pretty amazing. I think after the losses and everything, you may have been getting 1watt out. 👍🏼 I noticed when you put the 40m coil on the rx jumped up for a moment. Maybe ground wire? Do you mind telling me a comfortable set of headphones for Cw in the field ? I must be going deaf in my left ear. I have to bend down to the radio nearly. 72 73 om tommy. Hehe

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know, you've a good point. When I put my hand near the speaker, the volume would also increase. It might have been a grounding issue. Headphones? The only "real" ham radio headphones I have are the Heil Proset K2 which were designed for Elecraft rigs. It's a stellar addition to the kit especially for SSB. Otherwise I use some inexpensive in-ear headphones from Sony, but only with radios that have AGC. (Else, the deafness will only get worse!) :) Ha ha!

[@amham48]

Very nice job! I wonder how SSB with your capacity hat works on the AX1?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It'll work for sure, but keep in mind that 5 watts SSB isn't as effective s 5 watts CW. With that said, I have certainly worked numerous SSB stations with 5 watts and the AX1. Not using the capacity hat, but just the normal setup.

[@halledwardb]

So when you are sending dits some times you send them separately not Iambicly. Is that like a - - . . . for a 7 so that it's easier to copy over the air, so you just listen for the number of separate dits or in the case of low numbers the number of Dah's? Still learning a lot. Thanks for the videos.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, Edward, I don't think I'm intentionally separating dits unless I'm trying to correct a keying mistake. :) I try to keep timing consistent by allowing the keyer to do its work. It's true, though, the for emphasis of, say, the final "dit dit" to the other op, I intentionally key them separately to make them more conspicuous and out of sync.

[@JonathanAdami]

I'm wondering about something: I looked at the design and it looks like you can use it squeezing both sides at the same time like a normal paddle right? It's so cheap I might get one for the just in case.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, absolutely. It will work Iambic modes.

[@atthefiveforks8077]

Another Great video .... Can you tell me what backpack you're using.... Looks very roomy for all the gear you carry. Thanks Barry KM4T

[@atthefiveforks8077]

Never Mind ... Found it on QRPER .... Thanks

[@thuff3207]

No, I would think a mag loop would be worse at 20m.

[@TridentMissileTech]

QCX mini may be stingier.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The MTR-3B can go as low as 15ma in receive. The QCX-mini as low as 58ma. Both are super efficient!