The Elecraft AX1: Can you really activate a park with this tiny antenna? Let's find out! 

These videos are great, Thomas…I’ve been a cw op for over 50 years..Field Day is my most favorite operating mode and POTA reminds me of FD…..Keep up the good work…de WB4BBF, Randall

I am glad you did some SSB on that antenna

That is INSANE!!! Happy for you. What a nice way to spend some wait time and in such an unexpected surprise. I'm going have my AX1 watch this to learn how it is supposed to work!

Just found one these for a great deal on eBay from a seller I’ve bought from before. Includes the, AX1, bipod, tripod adapter, 2 pairs of counterpoise wires (33’ & 13’), & all related materials. $260 to buy new, but paid $170. I hope it works as good on SSB as it did for you.

Thank you great video! Just signed up on Patreon to support. I have had no luck so far with my AX1 and KX2 combo. I am going to give it another shot. 🙏👍

Magic 😁, I've looked at the AX1 in the past and thought surely that's way to small and inefficient thanks for showing it working ok, with the progression of cycle 25 that'll be another option for my portable radio play in my local pubs beer 🍻🍺 garden, cheers Tom

Great video Tom. I was reluctant to using the AX1 for an activation, but used it exclusively when I activated K-1834 in the Florida Keys last April and was amazed at how well it worked. I stuck to 20M CW. I'll have to try it on 40 M. Thanks again and keep up the great work. 73, George K2WO

Just got back from a POTA activation and haven't watched this yet, but you're going to talk me into buying one of these, aren't you? ...... OK, watched it. THIS IS NUTS! Very impressive!

I recently ordered this identical setup, so I really enjoyed seeing the setup and how it works.

My very first HF rig was a KX2 and AX1 antenna. I think I will play with that combo this weekend.

Hi Thomas, I just recently got an IC-705 to play with. Your videos have inspired me to want to get out and try my hand at activating parks in my area. I too am a Thomas here in Maryland 73, K3TH

KX2 AND AX1 My favorite setup for field ops. Thanks

Like KE0OG, QST's new technical editor sez: a vertical is a vertical is a vertical....nothing magic about them. The ground wire(s) is as important as the vertical radiator 73/K6SDW

These are great for local ops. I used a MagicWhip on the back of my mobile CB 10 years ago to talk around town with friends.

I am currently getting set up with a Lab599 TX-500, an End Fed 10/20/40 Trail Friendly antenna, and a PSK Modem to try SOTA. It will give me a reason to hike some mountains this fall. Deciding between that and the KX2 was not an easy choice!

Hi Thomas, I have ordered the AX1 a couple of days ago, because it's looks beautifully made and would be nice to collect for my kx2. I really didn't have high expectations for it. I'm really surprised by all your contacts on 40m with the coil! Nice video. 73 from Wales MW0SAW

Very impressive antenna! Can't wait to see the video you hopefully made on 10/5 when we did the P2P with you using this antenna. I have resisted and did not order this antenna...yet!

Very very interesting!!!

Ordered, Waiting... Thanks Thomas!

That was a very impressive result, I really wasn't expecting the AX1 to be so effective on SSB at QRP levels. I'm incredibly jealous of your activation times, it's often taken me more then 2hrs to activate a park on this side of the pond, and that's after falling back to FT8! Guess I should get a move on and learn CW :)

THAT'S AMAZING I WASN'T QUITE SURE OF WHAT I WAS WATCHING I'M GLAD PEOPLE STILL HAS THOSE SKILLS MORSE CODE A GREAT THING TO KNOW ESPECIALLY IN THESES TIMES T

Wery Good Thomas

My first successful SOTA activation was kx2+ax1 SSB on 20M. Last SOTA attempt was a fail with 0 QSOs, but it was a good 10k hike.

Great Activation Thomas! I can’t help wonder how such an antenna would go on an Aussie Activation, with our smaller population and vast distances. I can’t wait to see how you go with the QCX-mini, I have one for 40 metres and it’s amazing! Andy, VK5LA

You weren’t kidding man! I wish more people used 40m in the day instead of 20. I hope you take this antenna along more often to see how it does in mediocre sfi. Just love the kx2 man. I see you do things I’ve not learned yet. Hehe. Tnx Tom

I have an AX-1 and it's easy to dismiss out of hand. It does work when the bands cooperate. Of course, the counterpoise config is important. I last used my KX2 and AX1 on the beach on Sullivan Island near Charleston. Because of beach traffic, I had to curl the counterpoise around my sitting area. (a compromise of a compromise) By the time I got a contact, a rogue wave forced me to move farther from the waterline. I assume you were not under a metal roof in this video. I recently saw a video with an Elecraft rep talking about the new AX-2. Search "new products from Elecraft" to find the video. Based on the results you had seen in this video, I need to try it more often rather than throwing up an EFHW out of habit.

Thomas, don't apologize. I like your videos precisely because they get to the point and don't mimic Madison avenue. Keep up the good work and producing good content. POTA on!

Thomas. The AX1 will work on 30M with the extension but the switch needs to be put in the 15/17M position. 73, Kelly K3UQ

Good stuff as always :) Thanks Thomas! I'm always worried about people attaching their antennas directly to their radios. For my world it puts way too much stress on the BNC connector in the radio. But I may be too worried about my stuff :) Stay save & 73

That was pretty impressive for an antenna with very low efficiency compared to a simple resonant dipole. Barry, KU3X

Wow that little AX1 worked amazingly. You were getting some really good signal reports. Well impressed Thomas. thanks for the video. 73 Mark G0NMY

Thomas what case are you using for the AX1 I didn’t see it listed in the full details and equipment. Thanks KV5P

Thomas you should know by now that anything Elecraft makes is tested tried and true. That's why we pay soo much for it. I can get both the KX2 and the AX1 in the Lowepro CS-60. Enjoyable Activation...

I noticed that most of your contacts were to the North of your location, perhaps if you moved the counterpoise it would radiate in the direction it was lying on the ground? Just an idea, still very impressed with that AX1 even on SSB you get good reports.

Great to view at 0230. Which app did you indicate using please.

Hi Thomas, great video but the link to the article with more details is missing to click on.

good video Thomas! Wonder if the AX1 can be tuned by the KX1 radio. I know its not mention in the Elecraft website but maybe is because the KX1 is not in production anymore. 73'

Thanks for your video this morning, Thomas, although they can sometimes be a drain on my pocketbook. I have the KX1, KX2, and KX3. So this video finally convinced me to call Michelle at Elecraft this morning and order the AX1 plus the 40 meter coil and the connector to the radio. Question for you: where can I get the neat little case you use for the antenna, etc. Looked like I addition to holding your counter poise wires you may have another KX2 battery in there. I’m also watching your videos to improve my CW skills. Please keep them. Bill K6HB 73

Do you need to change the counterpoise when changing bands?

Hi Thomas… I noticed that you didn’t change your counterpoise when you shifted to 20M. Does that matter much? -N0RNM

Amazing you can create a pileup from 5 watts and such a small antenna! Are you doing the Oceania DX contest (CW) this weekend? Ben VK2JA

What speed are you sending at?

Thomas, I really enjoy your videos. I was wondering what the AX1 antenna could do in the field and now I know 😃 Dave KE6EX

Thomas, I wish you would use a "BLACK PEN" instead of a pencil to see what you write. It does not come out clear, in the video. Thanks for all your videos enjoy CW. 73 ..

I'm in love with your "real time" videos Thomas...like many others, they help me to go back to cw.. About the AX1 did you see this incredible video to make it work without a tuner ...but with a tiny capacity hat ? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SE2EtVw9lho.html

Do you pay for all these toys yourself Thomas? Are you married, could you please do a video on techniques to use in order to sneak these incoming deliveries past your significant other ;-)

Great video as usual! I hope to work you "live" on video some time to hear what I actually sound like! DE KQ9L

Amazing what you can do with that antenna. Great video. Mat - K4OCY