Sounds like you didn’t read either of my posts which discuss using the Elecraft supplied 13’ counterpoise. That’s why the antenna is shipped with it. If you’re not using a counterpoise for this or any random end fed it’ll be a lot less effective. Again-read the literature from Jerry Serverns (ARRL antenna book) and LB Cebik on effectiveness of short verticals and proper use of counterpoise. Been using the AX1 since 2016 ?and now the KH1 with the same antenna.?

Dan Presley 503-701-3871

danpresley@me. com?

N7CQR@...

On Mar 23, 2025, at 16:42, Dave AB7E via groups.io <AB7Echo@...> wrote:

?
I didn't say that the KX1 doesn't work, but it DOES require a counterpoise to work very effectively.? Not too long ago an AX1 user tested his antenna on the WSPR network with and without the recommended 13 foot counterpoise wire.? The results were 30 dB different.? If you aren't using a counterpoise and still get decent results, it's most likely that your coax is acting as the counterpoise and doing most of the radiating.

Without a counterpoise and with a very short length of coax (such as the KH1 with its little loaded whip), you basically have a 4 foot long tank circuit.? Yes it will radiate, yes you can make contacts, and yes it is very portable ... but there are very simple alternatives that work better, cost less, and don't take up enough more space to make a difference.? Like I said, an end fed wire strung to a nearby bush (or even laying on the ground) is likely to do better because it is going to have less loss than a tightly wound coil.? If you have a tree nearby and can throw a vertical wire over it (fed against a counterpoise wire) you will do even better.

Anything else is your imagination.

Dave?? AB7E

On 3/23/2025 4:24 PM, Dan N7CQR via groups.io wrote:

For those cynics of the AX1 two comments. Most of my QRP S2S contacts(400 plus ) are with this antenna-to other QRP SOTA ops and watch any number of the activations by Thomas K4SWL using the AX1. ?Sure it’s a compromise but all antennas are and you pick and choose when and where it’s appropriate. It’s actually pretty effective in the field or on a summit when deployed properly. Same with the KH1 which uses the same antenna.?

Dan Presley 503-701-3871

danpresley@me. com?

N7CQR@...

On Mar 23, 2025, at 14:24, Dave AB7E via groups.io <AB7Echo@...> wrote:

?
With either radio you're going to want to have an antenna tuner for POTA/SOTA, and if you have an antenna tuner you're WAY better off using an end fed wire with a counterpoise than you are using the AX1 (which also needs the antenna tuner).? Even if the end fed wire is laying on the ground it will probably work better than the AX1, and it's the counterpoise wire with the AX1 that does most of the radiating anyway!? It take VERY little extra time to deploy the end fed wire antenna and my opinion, the only place the AX1 comes out on top is if you're doing pedestrian or bicycle mobile, or maybe if you're in a motel room (but you still need the counterpoise wire to make it work at all).

I have a KX2 with the internal tuner, and it is an amazing tuner ... but it is very expensive.? A much cheaper, yet perfectly viable, alternative is something like this ATU-10:



It's small, is an autotuner, has it's own internal rechargeable battery, costs about $80, and it works well.? I have the 100 watt version in my shack, and my friend uses that exact model for his QRP work.?

Here is what ChatGPT says about the KX2 versus the IC-705:



The IC-705 gives you pretty much everything for $1,350.

The KX2 is $1,180 without the battery (additional $80 for 2.6 AH) and tuner (additional $300) ... $1,560 if you add the battery and tuner. ?? The KX2 with the ATU-10 ($80) and this 6 AH external battery (less than $30) would run you a bit less than $1,300.



All of that neglects taxes and shipping.

Dave?? AB7E

On 3/23/2025 10:23 AM, Brady KY4CQ via groups.io wrote:

I’m looking to purchase my next QRP radio. I’m primarily a CW op, with some SSB from time to time. It’s going to be a POTA/SOTA radio, but I also wanna be able to operate from the beach, hotel balcony, etc when traveling. I’ve looked at both. Budget allows for both. If I get the KX2, I’m getting the AX1 antenna with it as well. Which would you all recommend??