|
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??
|
Hi Brady,
We have both and only grab the KX2 for POTA, it is smaller, lighter and can have an internal ATU.? This is the deal breaker for the 705, it is a rare outing where an ATU was not needed for POTA.
The 705 has all the bells and whistles and makes a nice shack rig with an amp.
?
Cheers & 73,
Howie / WA4PSC
|
Hi Brady & Group, I've operated from hotels, office buildings, campsites, balconies, stealth (etc) and most important is the tuner... a wide matching range tuner that will handle random wires or whips. When you're going to operate from an unknown QTH, it's best to be prepared for all bands and whatever antenna setup will fit the unknown QTH... With the KX2 you will need to order the built-in tuner.? With the IC705, you will need to purchase the external tuner.? 73 Jay W6CJ
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??
|
I have a kx3 and a 705. ?For pota cw I prefer the kx3, and it has a morse decoder which is pretty good. ?The 705 has a built in waterfall which is ok, but for the kx3 you need the px3 to get the same feature. ?For pota it is not necessary. ?Also the 705 has vhf and uhf built in, for the kx3 vhf is an option. ?Lastly the 705 has a nice battery which again is extra on the elecraft. ?Have fun, either will do the job.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 23, 2025, at 1:41?PM, Jay W6CJ via groups.io <lastradioman@...> wrote:
Hi Brady & Group, I've operated from hotels, office buildings, campsites, balconies, stealth (etc) and most important is the tuner... a wide matching range tuner that will handle random wires or whips. When you're going to operate from an unknown QTH, it's best to be prepared for all bands and whatever antenna setup will fit the unknown QTH... With the KX2 you will need to order the built-in tuner.? With the IC705, you will need to purchase the external tuner.? 73 Jay W6CJ
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??
|
Just a note, I have used the AX1 antenna with a tripod in a National Park site where antenna restrictions occur (i.e. no wires in trees and no ground stakes). Try as I might I can not get it to be resonant on 20 meters;although it is supposed to be possible. The T1 ATU seems to have trouble establishing a match. The KX2 may have more capability to match the antenna. I use a QRP 5w CW inly radio with the whip.?
That said both of my attempts for a POTA activation have been successful. Most distant contact was around 850 miles.?
If anyone has suggestions on reaching resonance with the AX1 on 20M please contact me.?
Good Luck!
|
I have both the KX-3 and IC-705.? I highly recommend the KX-3.? Love both radios but 99% of the time I am using the KX-3
Dennis W0HL
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 12:23:11 PM CDT, Brady KY4CQ via groups.io <ky4cq.ham@...> 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??
|
Why? I read a lot of people say the same thing, but few say why. Is it higher power, batteries included, better receiver, ATU available...what?
Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 02:28:58 PM EDT, Dennis W0HL <dlk1953@...> wrote:
I have both the KX-3 and IC-705.? I highly recommend the KX-3.? Love both radios but 99% of the time I am using the KX-3
Dennis W0HL
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 12:23:11 PM CDT, Brady KY4CQ via groups.io <ky4cq.ham@...> 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??
|
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:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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??
|
?A couple of comments here. First I believe his two choices are KX2 (not KX3) and 705. If you’re primarily using it for CW the KX2 is a much better radio in functionality and performance. Better filtering particularly the APF and CW spot features and QSK for starters. Plus the fact that you can have the internal battery and ATU is a big factor in size,weight and having everything integrated in a small package. Some overlooked features include the ability to have the radio record (on screen-not audio) your CW activity for logging is very useful. It time stamps each contact. Plus should you ever try RTTY or PSK31 you can operate these modes just using your CW key. Also you can mount some keys directly to the front of the radio for even more convenience and use ability. I can do a SOTA/POTA activation and just balance the rig on my knee if needed and fire away. The AX1 works great with the KX2 for a low profile setup. In regards to using the AX1 here’s more information. Someone asked about using a small tripod to mount the AX1 ,and here’s some information. But I’ve also used it directly mounted to the KX2 with good results. Just make sure you have the counterpoise deployed correctly. I’ve never failed to have the KX2 (or KX1,3 or K2) resonate the AX1 very quickly.?
I use a tripod to improve the efficiency of the AX1. Serves two purposes-gets it up higher in the air,and I use 3 13’ radials angled at 45 degrees. There’s been extensive research on using this technique for real improvements in antenna performance especially for short verticals. Jerry Severns and LB Cebik,two of the best antenna researchers and writers discuss this at length in their work. Jerry wrote for the ARRL Antenna book and you can google LB Cebik.3-4 elevated radials are equivalent to maybe 20 ground mounted ones. I consistently have an improvement of as much as 2 S units over the mounting next to the radio. However sometimes it’s just not practical to set up the tripod,so try to angle your radial(s) for better results. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com? N7CQR@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 23, 2025, at 11:37, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
?
Why? I read a lot of people say the same thing, but few say why. Is it higher power, batteries included, better receiver, ATU available...what?
Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 02:28:58 PM EDT, Dennis W0HL <dlk1953@...> wrote:
I have both the KX-3 and IC-705.? I highly recommend the KX-3.? Love both radios but 99% of the time I am using the KX-3
Dennis W0HL
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 12:23:11 PM CDT, Brady KY4CQ via groups.io <ky4cq.ham@...> 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??
|
Thanks all. I figured the Elecraft was a better choice. I’m gonna get the KX2 shack in a box package so I have the antenna tuner and battery. I primarily use resonant antennas when I play POTA, usually an EFHW, but the AX1 seems fun to be able to operate from a hotel balcony. This radio will probably live in my EDC backpack with a Packtenna Random wire?
|
Good choice. KX2 and Packtenna wire - awesome setup for CW ops.? Technology generally, and radios in particular (IMHO) should be elegantly effective, and this is the quintessence.? Jim N4TMM
Thanks all. I figured the Elecraft was a better choice. I’m gonna get the KX2 shack in a box package so I have the antenna tuner and battery. I primarily use resonant antennas when I play POTA, usually an EFHW, but the AX1 seems fun to be able to operate from a hotel balcony. This radio will probably live in my EDC backpack with a Packtenna Random wire?
|
Hi Dan,
?
I have had the AX1 blow over when using a small table tripod,? Another option when using an AX1 is to use the .? It allows for secure mounting to both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
?
Cheers & 73,
Howie /? WA4PSC
Pro Audio Engineering
|
Brady :
?
I have both the KX2 and the IC-705. They are both very good performers, but 99% of the time it is the KX2 that I grab for CW portable operating.?
?
I often operate from a backpacking chair using a 3d-printed kneeboard with the KX2 attached. The convenience of having the internal ATU, an internal rechargeable battery and a rig-mounted paddle on a trail-friendly rig (controls on top) makes the KX2 my goto rig.? I have found that I can easily manage three approximately one-hour long CW POTA activations on a single battery charge as the radio is quite miserly.?
?
The IC705 is really quite a nice QRP radio but it is a bit of brick IMHO (both in size and weight). I personally wouldn't take it to a beach as touchscreens and sand are not a great combination. It is awesome for picnic-table portable. I have the MAT-705 tuner which works well but I have to remember to charge the internal batteries in that too and to bring along two additional cables to connect it to the IC-705.?
?
If you lean towards SOTA-style operating (i.e sitting on a rock, stump or the ground or a portable chair) then having everything in one small package that is in a trail-friendly format like the KX2, just can't be beat.? Of course if 160m, 6m, 2m, 70cm and DSTAR are must haves then the IC-705 is the right choice for you.?
?
Cheers?
?
Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB
?
P.S. I bought my IC-705 first, but was still yearning for a trail-friendly radio with controls on top so I bought a Xiegu X6100. The Xiegu is really a cheap KX2/KX3 wannabe and succeeds at least partially but it is lacking in so many ways that after a year I sold it and bought the real-thing, the KX2.??
?
P.P.S. Thomas, K4SWL has a good comparison video of KX2 vs IC-705 on his blog at QRPer.com at:
You might want to check that out.?
?
?
|
I've run both radios for quite a while now and I really think Michael really nailed it.? It needs to be a use case decision made after you've familiarized yourself with the capabilities of both radios - I've never been conscious of a performance difference, except for the absence of a tuner in one, and the missing bands in the other.
But a couple comments.??
First, I routinely run my KX2 handheld with a 7 foot whip on a little 3/8-24 bracket. The simply?magical KX2 tuner usually tunes this below 2:1 up thru 17 meters, and most of the time less than 2:1 on 20 meters, both with a resonant radial and a trailing wire. If you do the math a 7 foot whip is pretty cheap and going to be quite a bit more efficient than a 4 footer, so it's worth a thought.?
Second, I'm not sure of the knock on blowing dust and the touch screen on the 705.? I routinely run the 705 from the beach at ZF and in the Rockies.? I've not had a problem other than times when the touch screen apparently is unhappy (read finicky) from static charge (I think) from the little rocky bits, but that cleans?off well enough. I may be tempting fate operating that way but at some point you have to decide what risks you're willing to take to have fun :)
And third, while I can't dispute the KX2 tuner as the undeniable king of tuners, it is surprising how fast you can adapt to running a radio without a tuner. EFHWs work well, and a slider coil vertical?like?the MFJ 1898 make the lack of a tuner less of a problem most days than you might think. YMMV. You can't go wrong either way.?
72 Scott ka9p
?A couple of comments here. First I believe his two choices are KX2 (not KX3) and 705. If you’re primarily using it for CW the KX2 is a much better radio in functionality and performance. Better filtering particularly the APF and CW spot features and QSK for starters. Plus the fact that you can have the internal battery and ATU is a big factor in size,weight and having everything integrated in a small package. Some overlooked features include the ability to have the radio record (on screen-not audio) your CW activity for logging is very useful. It time stamps each contact. Plus should you ever try RTTY or PSK31 you can operate these modes just using your CW key. Also you can mount some keys directly to the front of the radio for even more convenience and use ability. I can do a SOTA/POTA activation and just balance the rig on my knee if needed and fire away. The AX1 works great with the KX2 for a low profile setup. In regards to using the AX1 here’s more information. Someone asked about using a small tripod to mount the AX1 ,and here’s some information. But I’ve also used it directly mounted to the KX2 with good results. Just make sure you have the counterpoise deployed correctly. I’ve never failed to have the KX2 (or KX1,3 or K2) resonate the AX1 very quickly.?
I use a tripod to improve the efficiency of the AX1. Serves two purposes-gets it up higher in the air,and I use 3 13’ radials angled at 45 degrees. There’s been extensive research on using this technique for real improvements in antenna performance especially for short verticals. Jerry Severns and LB Cebik,two of the best antenna researchers and writers discuss this at length in their work. Jerry wrote for the ARRL Antenna book and you can google LB Cebik.3-4 elevated radials are equivalent to maybe 20 ground mounted ones. I consistently have an improvement of as much as 2 S units over the mounting next to the radio. However sometimes it’s just not practical to set up the tripod,so try to angle your radial(s) for better results. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com?
?
Why? I read a lot of people say the same thing, but few say why. Is it higher power, batteries included, better receiver, ATU available...what?
Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 02:28:58 PM EDT, Dennis W0HL < dlk1953@...> wrote:
I have both the KX-3 and IC-705.? I highly recommend the KX-3.? Love both radios but 99% of the time I am using the KX-3
Dennis W0HL
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 12:23:11 PM CDT, Brady KY4CQ via <ky4cq.ham= [email protected]> 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??
|
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@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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??
|
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:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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?
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??
|
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@...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
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?
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??
|
What do you mean?? Re-read my post below.? I never
said you weren't using a counterpoise ... only that it's the
counterpoise that's doing the radiating on the AX1.? What exactly
in my post do you think is incorrect ... and why?
Dave ? AB7E
?
On 3/23/2025 4:57 PM, Dan N7CQR via
groups.io wrote:
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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?
On Mar 23, 2025, at 16:42, Dave AB7E via
groups.io <AB7Echo@...> wrote:
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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?
On Mar 23, 2025, at 14:24, Dave
AB7E via groups.io <AB7Echo@...>
wrote:
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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??
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Dan, we are going to have to have a talk about the AH1.? It is way overpriced for what it is.? You can build a far better antenna similar to the AH1 for $10.
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Doug
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Absolutely true.
Dave?? AB7E
On 3/23/2025 9:52 PM, Doug Hendricks
via groups.io wrote:
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Dan, we are going to have to have a talk about the AH1.? It
is way overpriced for what it is.? You can build a far better
antenna similar to the AH1 for $10.
?
Doug
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Jay W6CJ
jjpurdum
Jim N4TMM