qrper.com/2023/10/coffee-qrp-question-is-any-field-kit-more-portable-and-versatile-that-elecrafts-kx2-ax1-combo/?swcfpc=1 Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.
Is this some kind of challenge? If so, I won't argue with your choice of the KX2. I would however suggest another antenna. The AX1 is expedient, but I have yet to get much out of mine here in Idaho. I'd opt for a PackTenna Random Wire with the KX2. But, I know you've logged a good deal of contacts with the AX1... so there ya go! As far as the coffee, a thermos Medagalia D'Oro, instant espresso, and some heavy cream... Thomas, you make it look easy... Great video...
I'm a fan of the AeroPress. I use mine daily. I'm a fan of of a quick 20 meter vertical antenna, but I like mine full sized. Thanks for the videos and the website.
Tom, thanks for another great and groovy video. I picked up a KX-2 and AX-1 antenna used, a few months ago. I am active in POTA more than anything else. I had not used the AX-1 antenna more than maybe one time (made a contact sitting on the back patio this summer). After watching this I grabbed my Lowe pack and headed to the hills of a state park about an hour from here. The leaves are almost peak so my wife even jumped in the buggy and came with me. I went to the highest overlook in the park and setup the KX2 and the AX1 at a picnic table, got spotted on the POTA page, and started calling CQ. I had 11 in the log book in about 35 minutes on 20m. I even worked Alaska, England, and Arizona...from south central Indiana...running 8w. The breeze had picked up and it was getting chilly so I had to QRT and pack it in. I am so glad I saw this video, it put a bug in my ear to try out the AX-1. I normally setup a Eagle One vertical on my SUV trailer hitch. This was WAY easier. 72 de KB9BVN - I hope this solar cycle lasts 4 or 5 more years. It's been great fun!
I love this! Yes indeed! That AX1 is a viable antenna and I, too, have worked some AMAZING DX with it. Once, under a metal roof shelter in a valley, I worked a P2P with a station in the UK with 5 watts.
I watch plenty of highly-produced videos, providers trying to get to some magical sub-30 or sub-20 minute video length and I have to say, I prefer your "warts and all" format. After turning in my NTS CW roles when son #2 took over my shack some 30 years ago, the POTA bug has bitten and I'm busy putting together a QRP CW field kit (QMX, TP-III, EFHW, ...) determined to get back on the air! Appreciate the pour-over content. Everything is better with coffee. Hope to catch you on the air soon. Mike, KN7U
Very interesting that such a short antenna works OK, but man you get easily distracted by that coffee boiler. At least I could skip the coffee section using your bookmarks (I am a Tea drinker 😀)
The credibility of your recommendations is unmatched. I have the same radio, antenna, and mechanical pencil; all based on your reviews. Would love hear your opinion of QRP-adjacent orienteering gear (compass, spikes, map clutch, etc..). Would gladly follow an affiliate link.
Thank you so much--very kind of you to say. I will try to list all of my gear links in the field reports. I, too, like seeing this on websites and channels I follow. Again, thanks for the kind words.
Ha, when you set up the 13 ft radial, and didn't put the 40m extension on, then tried to tune on 7.061 I actually was talking to the screen!! I knew you'd catch it though, and that also confirmed my question about which counterpoise to use with which bands! Thanks, 73 K8JLW
Wow, you and I have similar tastes! I've been a big Snow Peak fan for years and am now a happy owner of a KX2 and AX1, thanks to your videos. I even noticed we've got the same pencil! 😂 I have a feeling a Begali may be in my future, but I'm holding myself back until I can competently make CW QSOs. I normally use a hand grinder and my AeroPress for situations like this, though. Thinking I should give the pourover method a shot. Hope to catch you on the air!. 73 KF0LRV
I love my Aeropress, too! I have two of them. :) Haven't splurged for the ultra portable one yet. Say, tell me about your hand grinder! I'm in the market and could use some recommendations.
@@ThomasK4SWL I think my original reply may have been deleted. Maybe Amazon links weren’t the best idea. Anyway to recap: I’ve had the Porlex mini grinder for about a decade and it’s holding up well. Looks like there are fancier options out there these days, but it works well for a compact, portable grinder, and I like it better than the plastic Hario I had before it. I also use a cheap AWS Scale from Amazon to weigh the beans before grinding, and the Porlex just about perfectly fits the 18g I use. It all fits nicely in a Red Oxx Nomad shave kit bag.
@@oliverstewart5899 Thank you so much for the recommendation! I will check it out. Yes, I believe you're right--CZcams must have auto-removed the post with a link. I didn't know they did that, but then again I can't remember the last Amazin link I found in a CZcams comment! :) Thanks again!
Something tells me that the mew KH1 is gonna take the first place metal for your smallest field kit. I am trying to think up a way for being able to operate the KH1 on a tabletop using that whip antenna. Maybe some sort of tripod mount?
Freudian slip at 10:56? Mentioning your favourite equipment, you say "My Elecraft KX1, ..." Well, I guess with transceivers (unlike with women) it's OK to be polyamorous. David VE7EZM and AF7BZ
For me, it works surprisingly good. I often use the same equipment during my excursions in the Baltic Sea region and I am always fascinated by its capabilities. No problems all over Europe and also overseas contacts😊
@ThomasK4SWL High Temps this week will be from the 20s to sub zero. So, I made an adapter to go from the AX1 tripod mount to the mag mount on the pickup so I can work out of the cab. Initial test I logged POTA in FL, OH, and OR with the KX3. The large ground plain is working great.
qrper.com/2023/10/coffee-qrp-question-is-any-field-kit-more-portable-and-versatile-that-elecrafts-kx2-ax1-combo/?swcfpc=1
Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.
since the cat is out of the bag, kh1 seems like the best with coffee.
Is this some kind of challenge? If so, I won't argue with your choice of the KX2. I would however suggest another antenna.
The AX1 is expedient, but I have yet to get much out of mine here in Idaho. I'd opt for a PackTenna Random Wire with the KX2. But, I know you've logged a good deal of contacts with the AX1... so there ya go!
As far as the coffee, a thermos Medagalia D'Oro, instant espresso, and some heavy cream...
Thomas, you make it look easy... Great video...
You know, I recently paired the KX2 and PackTenna EFRW. It's a brilliant combo I've used a LOAD in the past. :) Great suggestion.
I heard you loud and clear. Looking forward to a review of the new Elecraft KH1. I bet they’ll send you one.
I've been in the test group and, hopefully, my production KH1 will arrive or ship this week.
I'm a fan of the AeroPress. I use mine daily. I'm a fan of of a quick 20 meter vertical antenna, but I like mine full sized. Thanks for the videos and the website.
I LOVE the AeroPress!
Tom, thanks for another great and groovy video. I picked up a KX-2 and AX-1 antenna used, a few months ago. I am active in POTA more than anything else. I had not used the AX-1 antenna more than maybe one time (made a contact sitting on the back patio this summer). After watching this I grabbed my Lowe pack and headed to the hills of a state park about an hour from here. The leaves are almost peak so my wife even jumped in the buggy and came with me. I went to the highest overlook in the park and setup the KX2 and the AX1 at a picnic table, got spotted on the POTA page, and started calling CQ. I had 11 in the log book in about 35 minutes on 20m. I even worked Alaska, England, and Arizona...from south central Indiana...running 8w. The breeze had picked up and it was getting chilly so I had to QRT and pack it in. I am so glad I saw this video, it put a bug in my ear to try out the AX-1. I normally setup a Eagle One vertical on my SUV trailer hitch. This was WAY easier. 72 de KB9BVN - I hope this solar cycle lasts 4 or 5 more years. It's been great fun!
I love this! Yes indeed! That AX1 is a viable antenna and I, too, have worked some AMAZING DX with it. Once, under a metal roof shelter in a valley, I worked a P2P with a station in the UK with 5 watts.
Nice to see coffee activation back in the mix. ☕️
Those little radios sure are expensive… my 891 sure is a bargain but the KH1 is very tempting
I watch plenty of highly-produced videos, providers trying to get to some magical sub-30 or sub-20 minute video length and I have to say, I prefer your "warts and all" format. After turning in my NTS CW roles when son #2 took over my shack some 30 years ago, the POTA bug has bitten and I'm busy putting together a QRP CW field kit (QMX, TP-III, EFHW, ...) determined to get back on the air! Appreciate the pour-over content. Everything is better with coffee. Hope to catch you on the air soon. Mike, KN7U
Thank you for the kind words, Mike! I hope to catch you on the air as well. Hopefully, soon!
No skipping coffee time 😊 coffee and radio go hand in hand 😎 love the Begali keys!👌🏼great video again Thomas
Very interesting that such a short antenna works OK, but man you get easily distracted by that coffee boiler. At least I could skip the coffee section using your bookmarks (I am a Tea drinker 😀)
The credibility of your recommendations is unmatched. I have the same radio, antenna, and mechanical pencil; all based on your reviews.
Would love hear your opinion of QRP-adjacent orienteering gear (compass, spikes, map clutch, etc..). Would gladly follow an affiliate link.
Thank you so much--very kind of you to say.
I will try to list all of my gear links in the field reports. I, too, like seeing this on websites and channels I follow.
Again, thanks for the kind words.
Fascinating.
Ha, when you set up the 13 ft radial, and didn't put the 40m extension on, then tried to tune on 7.061 I actually was talking to the screen!! I knew you'd catch it though, and that also confirmed my question about which counterpoise to use with which bands! Thanks, 73 K8JLW
Ha ha ha!
This was another one I cud not hear you on But never fear we still hunt faithfully. 73 de Ellis WA1RKS
Wow, you and I have similar tastes! I've been a big Snow Peak fan for years and am now a happy owner of a KX2 and AX1, thanks to your videos. I even noticed we've got the same pencil! 😂 I have a feeling a Begali may be in my future, but I'm holding myself back until I can competently make CW QSOs. I normally use a hand grinder and my AeroPress for situations like this, though. Thinking I should give the pourover method a shot. Hope to catch you on the air!. 73 KF0LRV
I love my Aeropress, too! I have two of them. :) Haven't splurged for the ultra portable one yet.
Say, tell me about your hand grinder! I'm in the market and could use some recommendations.
@@ThomasK4SWL I think my original reply may have been deleted. Maybe Amazon links weren’t the best idea. Anyway to recap: I’ve had the Porlex mini grinder for about a decade and it’s holding up well. Looks like there are fancier options out there these days, but it works well for a compact, portable grinder, and I like it better than the plastic Hario I had before it. I also use a cheap AWS Scale from Amazon to weigh the beans before grinding, and the Porlex just about perfectly fits the 18g I use. It all fits nicely in a Red Oxx Nomad shave kit bag.
@@oliverstewart5899 Thank you so much for the recommendation! I will check it out. Yes, I believe you're right--CZcams must have auto-removed the post with a link. I didn't know they did that, but then again I can't remember the last Amazin link I found in a CZcams comment! :) Thanks again!
Something tells me that the mew KH1 is gonna take the first place metal for your smallest field kit.
I am trying to think up a way for being able to operate the KH1 on a tabletop using that whip antenna. Maybe some sort of tripod mount?
Perhaps some sort of right angle adapter? Do we know what the connection is on the whip?
I think Wayne is working on this, in fact.
That would be very cool! I'm sure you'll design something!
If you could only buy one key for the KX2. Would it be the Begali Traveler Light or the adventure? And why?
The Adventure pairs and mounts so beutifully on the KX2, it's what I would choose.
BEAR spray?
[rolls up windows, locks doors] 😳
Ha ha ha!
that antenna is really pricey for what you get
1st like. Make a note of it…😂
Noted! Frank approves! Ha ha!
Freudian slip at 10:56? Mentioning your favourite equipment, you say "My Elecraft KX1, ..." Well, I guess with transceivers (unlike with women) it's OK to be polyamorous.
David VE7EZM and AF7BZ
Ha ha! Definitely a slip!
Too bad the AX1 is such a compromised antenna. It barely works. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
For me, it works surprisingly good. I often use the same equipment during my excursions in the Baltic Sea region and I am always fascinated by its capabilities. No problems all over Europe and also overseas contacts😊
HA HA HA!!!!
Challenge accepted. I will do a POTA with the AX1 here in MT when it warms up a bit.🫣
It would be brilliant to do a P2P or S2S AX1/AX1, Dick!
@ThomasK4SWL High Temps this week will be from the 20s to sub zero. So, I made an adapter to go from the AX1 tripod mount to the mag mount on the pickup so I can work out of the cab. Initial test I logged POTA in FL, OH, and OR with the KX3. The large ground plain is working great.