Pairing the Icom IC-705 with the Elecraft AX1 antenna at a POTA activation. Can this work? 

Thanks, Wolf--yes I agree. It's funny, though. I'm so used to connecting the counterpoise to the chassis of my KX3 and KX2, it's a little strange to connect it to the base of the antenna on the tripod mount--but it makes complete sense, of course. Thanks & 73, Thomas K4SWL

Well done, Steve! You're right--sometimes it blows my mind how effective modest antennas can perform. Thank you!

You've chosen the best portable radio on the market for digital modes. VEry well done! The IC-705 will serve you well!

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank-You, Sir! All the Best to You and Yours!

:)

You all probably dont care but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I love any assistance you can give me

@Duncan Xander instablaster :)

You can do it! Just a warning that field radio is incredibly addictive. :)

I'm so glad you sorted out your T1, my friend. You'll find that it's an amazing companion on all of your radio adventures. I value it over my other ATUs because it's so versatile, so capable and so compact. It has never let me down. Although you won't need one for a few months, always keep a new 9V battery in your pack just in case. Also, try to protect the front panel buttons while packed to save the battery. If you have a 3D printer, consider making one of these: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4627279 Thanks for the kind comments, Bill. Cheers, Thomas

So true! :)

I've found the same. Even on the ground, it seems to want that longer counterpoise.

TU OM! :)

Brilliant, Bill! And you'll love the T1--it's a gem of an ATU. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

Right on. That's a great practice. :) And 5 W vs 1500 W? Yep, there's a difference there for sure! :)

My pleasure!

Happy to put you in the logs, too! 73! Thomas K4SWL

I know! Always a good feeling. :)

Raised verticals are certainly a better option but it can take a wee bit longer to find the right length for a good match. I have done this many times before, though. Good point!

AX1 antenna with the 40m extender you need to set it to 20m position.

Yes, you're correct. I just had a momentarily lapse there as I'm *so* used to connecting the antenna directly to the KX2 or KX3. :)

@@ThomasK4SWL According the the Elecraft AX2 manual... • ATTACH AT LEAST ONE COUNTERPOISE WIRE (or radial) to your transceiver’s ground screw. Otherwise, your transmit signal will be as much as 20 dB weaker (4 to 5 S-units). ...... so Im confused why the ground screw on the 705 would not work.

I was just replying to another comment that I always intend to slow down for slower ops--often, I just tryin increasing the spacing between characters rather than adjusting the keying speed. Problem is, when I'm in CW mode in my head, sometime I quite literally don't notice the speed. Keep in mind, too, that POTA and SOTA exchanges are very formulaic. Even if an op can't send quickly, they likely get 100% copy because they already know what to expect: their call and a signal report then 73 and "dit dit". Still, I mean to slow down. :) It's not terribly difficult to adjust the speed on the IC-705. I do have some transceivers that make the process more cumbersome (the FT-817 & IC-706 come to mind. Also, it's true. I don't really do Iambic keying often. It's funny actually: I used to do it more often when I had less radios. Now, I routinely change out radios each time I hit the field. I find that when I use Iambic keying, I make more mistakes. I think this has to do with subtle keying differences in the radios. Not sure. :)

I'll put this in my ideas list. Perhaps I could tinker with random wires without a balun. 73, Thomas

Yes it will! In fact, check out AE5X's blog series about this. He used one of the Elecraft Amps with his IC-705 in a recent CW contest: ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/02/arrl-dx-contest-cw-with-ic-705-kpa-500.html I've yet to pair the IC-705 with my KXPA100, but I know there shouldn't be a problem.

The mAT-705 Plus is a good ATU for the IC-705, although I'll admit I'm a bigger fan of the Elecraft T1.

@@ThomasK4SWL thanks for the reply! you talked about non existent magnetic latching relays in the mAT 705 under another comment. thats not true, the mAT 705 is using Magnetic latching relays as you can read in its manual.

Yes, I did update the firmware to the latest version. I also would like to disable tuning from CW/SSB--thanks for the tip. So it sounds like you assigned tuning to the front panel key. That's a great idea! I just need to set this up before I head to the field next time! :) Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

Brilliant suggestions, Mike! Do you have a link to the screen protector you use? 73, Thomas K4SWL

@@ThomasK4SWL hi,,,, any office supply store will have them... look for the discontinued models... you should get them for a couple bucks...then cut to size !

@@ThomasK4SWL I even use the screen protector on the Elecraft gear ! prevents any out in the field damage ,,,73 Mike

Definitely! I might try that next time.

This is the one I use for my AX1: amzn.to/3jfTL9G It's a Maxpedition and is an overall great pouch. I've two of them. Can you explain the "line through line"? Happy to help. Cheers, Thomas

Glad you enjoyed it!

Actually, I did this: qrper.com/2021/12/field-report-beautiful-weather-and-three-parks-on-the-outer-banks-of-north-carolina/ You're right. Works brilliantly!

Very good question. So one of the radios I've recently purchased myself is the Xiegu X5105. It's an excellent little field radio--not as refined as the Elecraft KX2 or KX3, but a very good radio. I've already published a couple of videos using it. (In fact, the next video will include it!). They're $550. I also like the Yaesu FT-818. You might check both of those out!

The key is a CW Morse Pocket Paddle. I highly recommend it!

The C-ruck has attachment points between the side pockets and front pocket, but they're oriented for horizontal rather than vertical attachment. I'm been thinking through a way to attach the whip to these points. I know it can be done. I'll dig into this further.

Hi, Bob, This is the Maxpedition model I use for my AX1: amzn.to/3jfTL9G Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank you. Bob W4ZY

Thank you, Enno!

So far, there have been three instances where the T1 outperformed the mAT tuner and my internal Xiegu ATUs in terms of finding a match. This is from field use, not on a lab bench, though. Results may vary.

Very true. I have been known to ask "QRL?" even getting a high SWR back. At low output power, I reckon I don't worry too much (even though no one is likely hearing me!).

Hi, Radu, You might check out this recent post I made--I tried to speak to the benefits of both units: qrper.com/2021/01/choosing-the-best-icom-ic-705-portable-external-antenna-atu/ Cheers, Thomas

It's resonant on 20M I believe. I keep forgetting that in the field and need to take the ATU out of the chain. On 40, it needs an ATU.

There's an upcoming video where I use SSB with the AX1. The time on my IC-705 is not accurate. I never run the GPS to milk the battery for more time. Why did I use CW? Honestly, it's because I'm enamored with the mode. I only started using it last summer and I just get a thrill out of it. I still use (and admire) SSB, but I have fallen down the CW rabbit hole for sure.

AGES! You know, I've carried a spare 9V in my pack now for almost two years. Still haven't used it and, in fact, I'm wondering if it'll technically expire before the T1 needs it replaced! Ha ha!

Hi, Douglas, That was "QRL?" which is the equivalent of asking if the frequency is in use on phone.

@@ThomasK4SWL thank you!!!

Good point. So it would be difficult to adjust speed with every contact during a field action. Most activators settle for a reasonable speed that they're comfortable both sending and receiving. For me, it tends to be somewhere around 17-20 WPM. Most of my radios are set to 18 or 19 WPM. I've heard some operators push 25-30WPM or higher, but most don't because it might eliminate people who would otherwise work you. Keep in mind that SOTA and POTA contacts are quite different from, say, a good ragchew. The exchanges are *very* formulaic. A chaser only needs to understand their own callsign, and when to send their signal report and/or other details. If I can tell that a CW chaser is new and going very slowly, I'll QRS (slow down) to a much lower WPM. I'll also do this if they request me to QRS--always. With some radios, it can be cumbersome to slow down the actual WPM (I'm thinking of the X5105 for one), so I'll slow down the spacing between characters to help. But in SOTA/WWFF/POTA exchanges, the speed difference is usually not a factor. Most of us activators and chasers are essentially on "auto pilot." :)

YES! I love that company! Just bought a few more ABR-316 assemblies from them.

I was 25 minutes late for my curbside appointment, too. It was worth it. :)

Thanks 👍