POTA activation with the Elecraft KX3 and AX1 Antenna: How far can I shoot my 10 watt signal? 

Oh, hey, don't worry about editing. It's refreshing to have what you produce. It seems more real and not sanitized.

I subscribed to your channel after searching for ANY KX3 videos. I bought mine and had lots of questions. Today I want out to my 'shack' and pushed my 150 watt radio out of the way and hooked up the KX3. I got contacts with everyone I tried with a couple of having to repeat myself a couple of times. I was running 10 watts for voice and 5 watts for CW. Love the radio!!! I have the 2m transverter and was hitting the repeater 25 miles away, using 3 watts, with the antenna off my Kenwood TH-74A. "You sound like you are right in the room with us!" was the reply.

I'm using your videos to get up the guts to go on the air with CW. I've been using the LICW club materials, and trying to listen to as much as I can. I'm getting to the point where I can actually copy what you are hearing. This is all good stuff. Keep it up.

I don’t know why this is so fun to watch. Thanks for doing these.

I like the real time nature of your videos. It helps to put into perspective what it requires to perform a POTA activation. Plus it's nice to have longer videos to watch when now a days the meta is luring in with clickbait and rolling ads on a 10 minute 1 second video. Hope to work you on the air, I've been more vigilant on pota spots these few weekends.

Again, Thank you! I just got a KX3 with the very purpose you showed today. Can't wait to be out in the field!

Hi Thomas. To echo what others have said, I enjoy the format of these videos. Conversational and refreshing. The run for paddle didn’t bother me in the slightest. Keep it up 👍 73

Awsome video! These unscripted videos of field deployment are my favorite!

Been watching your channel. Currently learning CW. Came across this video from a year ago. Gotta say, I feel like watching the KX3 is helping me learn CW better lol.

A great video to watch and learn from. It was like I was there in the field with you and you answered all the questions I would have. Very helpful observations about the issues that came up. I think the KX3 is the ideal rig for this activity, noting your comments about the KX2 as well. They are in short supply in the UK at the moment. Mni tnx es 73 😊

I always enjoy your videos, very well done. Thank you for posting these for us to see.

Your videos are very informative. Thank you!

Thomas, I enjoy your CW with POTA and I seem to pick the station start your QSO. Great to see a bloke enjoying his hobby and the great out doors. With your help I look like going back to CW been a few years mate. 73 best to your family. de Dennis vk4oc.

I’m awaiting a KX-2 and trying to decide between this AX-1 and the Buddistick. The AX-1 is smaller and lighter, but I’d be willing to give up on some portability if the performance is better. I haven’t found any comparisons of these yet. Thanks for doing these videos. Very inspirational. 73

Pretty impressive for such a small antenna. I'll have to try same this summer. Too cold here to set up portable. Right now it's 25 degrees here. Once we hit 60 degrees I'm ready to go Barry, KU3X/QRP

Great video Thomas. Nice to work you on 20M........599 in FL with your AX1. 73, George K2WO

Such a great radio!

Thomas you make it look effortless I enjoy your vids and commentary ty and Happy New Year 2021

Thanks again for a very informative session. It looks like that antenna is a good option.

The vidieos are wonderful. I really enjoy following along on the followups and callups. I can generally copy the responses and in my head. I enjoy CW. I find this helps a great deal keeping fresh in the code. Years ago while in the Navy I had a school and classes in learning morse code. I got my Novice license when I was in A school. Keep up the good work. Your commentary is very educational and welcome. TNX 73, Chuck WB9ZDS dit dit

I've watched a few of your videos and have a 705 that I'm anxious to get out in the field to try my hand at POTA with it.

A very nice little GREAT antenna.... With my kx3 ssb 15 w and AX1 antenna I made a qso from Geneva Switzerland to Brasil........ Very nice result. 73 qro HB9GUR

I have that same green Tom Bihn bag. He makes the best bags IMO.

First time watching and really enjoyed this! I'm learning CW at the moment and watching you working stations is more helpful than you'd think. I like your calm considered delivery also! Subscribed! Could I ask, what are the several "E's" you send on a row?

Hi Thomas, you gained 1 min. extra RU-vid watch time ⏳️ Thanks for sharing 👍 Best, Matthias DL1NDG

"No self-respecting RU-vidr would leave a minute of dead video..." and yet here I sit, biting my nails, anticipating the first QSO, while you BOOP your car 🤣

You might try a putting a felt washer under the dial to keep it from vibrating you off of frequency.

Hi Thomas. Another thoroughly enjoyable video. Forgive me but I must nit-pick a little bit on your terminology. You use the phrase "full break-in QSK". The code QSK means, by itself, "full break-in operation", so you're being redundant, essentially saying "full break-in full break-in operation". A small nit to pick, but it grates every time I hear it. Keep up the good work, I enjoy your field op vids. I'm putting together all the pieces I need to start doing my own POTA activations. As soon as I get the antenna (Buddistick pro) I'll begin setting it up to take out. 73, Marc N1QGM

If the side tone is odd, you might be getting RF from the antenna mismatch. A 1:1 current balun might get rid of it.

Would setting the frequency step finer make for a smaller frequency change. You did coped well with the problem

Thomas. I think you need a replacement encoder on your main tuning dial. (There was a problem with a batch of encoders. Maybe yours needs replacement?) Another good activation. 73 Bruce G4ABX

Have you looked at the Lab599 TX500?, I heard it is very rugged, they now have a battery pack that attaches to the back and an amplifier with an ATU built in…both in the same form factor and attachable to the back.

Very impressive, Thomas! I always enjoy your videos, too. I'm curious, though, how you enter the times when you transfer the log to the computer if you're not entering the info real time. It only makes a difference for park-to-park contacts, but I don't remember how much leeway they give to match them.

Thanks! Great videos - appreciate you letting us know all the details. Just wondering: why were you not getting 15W output with a KX3?

Hi Tom, Thanks for the video. Nice activation. I have a KX3 --makes me want to get it on the air operating portable. Any suggestions for an antenna other than the Elecraft unit? 73's Pete N6QW

Hmm Texas. That’s a nice hop for that antenna. At least it seems to be. That bi pod on the antenna. Does that come with the kx3 shack in a pack or is that something aftermarket? And I dig these vids. Time doesn’t matter to me.

Hi Thomas, as others say. I quite like the unedited version. I listen to your video's as podcasts driving to and from work. Apologies if I have missed it but what type are tour paddles. I would like a nice lighter weight set for portable work. 73 de Colin

Best one yet. The devils in the details so to speak.

What's the great little field case you have for ax1 and notebook?

Nice video. What is the name of 😊the case that you have your AX1 in? 73 George KB3 WAQ

Thomas, great video. Have you ever used an extension to move the antenna to an elevated position? Thanks, Carl N7CJR

Hello Thomas, what is the paddle you are using and where do I order one? You started to elude to it but never revealed it when you came back from the car with it.

I really hate the buzzing audio cause of case resonating together with speaker... I have the same issue on my KX3 and I never found the way how to solve it. Shame on Elecraft that they released it with that serious issue.

Can you do a video of the KX3 in VHF?

I noticed W6LEN mentioned WWFF and sent 44's (around the 23 min mark). I know there is tension between WWFF and POTA, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on WWFF. Do you ever dual-submit your logs?

Thomas I’ve tried multiple times to sign up for a POTA acct and after hitting the sign up button the page kinda flashes and just sits there. I’ve tried with safari and chrome and get the same thing. Are you aware of problems? PS: I got registered. Wasn’t working on this iPad. Worked at work on a PC.

Really enjoyed this video and excellent setup, Feel free to join the Elecraft AX1 antenna user group on Facebook 🙂

Nice video......IMO if a cw op won't QRS then I won't work them, they can kiss my grits...HI HI

Have you ever done a POTA from Pilot Mt State Park?

Does the KX-3 have a controls lock to keep that VFO from wandering? I sometimes need to use that during couch operations when the dogs want to get involved :)

Can you suggest a good system to learn cw? There is so many out there , and I just feel kind of overwhelmed .

I am curious how you are getting Internet on your Surface Go. Park provided wifi? Very much enjoyed your video. Thank you. Bob W4ZY

How does this antenna work with voice or phone? 73 de N1AD

was overheating causing the frequency drifting?

Hi Thomas! Hey what power distributor would you recommend if we can't find the one you use with your set up? thanks in advanced. 73

Send You a little vice!... More cw , less speak!

I am a little late to the party on your youtube channel, I see you are in North Carolina, if you get to the High Point area give me a shout! WA4GMD

C00L

Excellent video! Thanks for another one, good luck. Mat - K4OCY

where did you get the plastic case for your ham radio bench power split device, Thomas?