What has N9YO been doing? Elecraft KX2 & AX1 + CW Morse

Рет қаралды 2,271

Күн бұрын

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Chapters:
00:00 What Have I been up to
21:00 Ham Radio
Are you ready to get your feet wet in ham radio QRP? Then check out this incredible video all about the Elecraft KX2 & AX1. Learn all about how to use CW Morse code for making ham radio connections with minimal power and distance, and find out why this exciting hobby can open up a whole new world of communication possibilities! Take your radio skills to the next level with this beginner-friendly tutorial on ham radio QRP.
QRP Success!!! Elecraft AX1 + AT1 Micro Antenna!
Using the AX1 with an ATU eliminates tedious length adjustments. Just select a band, tap the antenna tune switch, and go for it. The AX1 is resonant on 20 meters in one switch position, while the other is designed for efficient 17 and 15 meter matching using an ATU.
Whether you use the AX1 as a ‘stealth’ field antenna, for pedestrian mobile, or as a versatile backup, it’ll be ready when you are.
Resonant Frequencies
20 m (~14 MHz) and 17/15 m (~19 MHz). Resonant frequencies may vary +/- 300 kHz or more due to changes in terrain, body capacitance, and antenna height.
Supplied Radial Wire 13 feet (4.0 m) long. Wire has pre-installed lug for attachment to the transceiver’s ground screw.
Max. Power
30 Watts. If RFI symptoms are observed, reduce power or move antenna farther from the transceiver.
Construction
Corrosion-resistant whip and hardware; Lexan outer tube; high-Q inductors wound with 20 AWG, high-temp enamel wire.
Dimensions Whip: 6” (15 cm) collapsed, 45” (115 cm) extended. Base: 6” (15 cm) long x 0.75” (19 mm) diameter.
Weight Antenna: 3.2 oz. (90 g); supplied radial wire: 0.6 oz. (17 g).

Пікірлер: 73

@MoonMan1333 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you shared with us! Don't ever feel pressured to make videos. Family and health (physical and mental) are more important than a bunch Of us knuckleheads on the internet.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Great great comment my friend. agreed.

@markhamann8030 3 жыл бұрын

Yep. Before I learned Morse Code I was like "'e' is going to be the easiest letter--it's just a dot".

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I thought so too until at 30wpm it was mixed into a word like high

@johncrabtree3650 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Tom. It was great to get caught up with you. I have missed your videos. I once had a yard like yours and it kept me too busy. You gave me flashbacks. Like you, it's been a while since I've had my KX2 out. The pandemic and working from home have really taken its toll on me. I looked for you today because I'm ready to get active again and hoped that seeing you would motivate me. Please keep making your videos; although, I know you have a lot of overwhelming activities around the house. I have learned so much from you in the past. John KK6ZAJ

@martykm6pra114 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome back! You were missed!

@davidsradioroom9678 3 жыл бұрын

You certainly were missed, but I can see why you haven't been able to make videos. Glad to have you back!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Marty. I'm glad to be back.

@davequick3373 2 жыл бұрын

One of your best videos Tom. Thanks for sharing!

@Ron_C 3 жыл бұрын

Palm Radio (Pico Paddle makers) went out of business on 2018 for health and other reasons....those things sell for good $$ and fast these days. Good seeing you out and about! The home is coming along and I understand how much work it takes, believe me! I have been doing a lot this summer (fun, not work), but don't record it all the time. 73 and be safe.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Ron nice to hear from ya. Yeah I was getting emails wondering if I was ok. I wanted to do some splainin. : )

@larrytaylor7753 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful sky. Welcome back.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly

@RandyUpchurch 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome back. Missed your videos. Thanks for all you do.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

So nice of you

@tommycheshire5508 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry things are all fouled up, but I have really missed. I learned more from you than anyone. Take care of yourself, we can wait for more of your wisdom. N4KBM

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, Tommy thanks for the great comment appreciated

@KX4UL 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see a video from you Tom! Don't be too hard on yourself. With a job, family and a house to take care of I am surprised you had time to make this video. You have a nice lot, but I am totally exhausted just looking at what needs to be done much less doing it...lol! We just located from Florida to Tennessee in a brand new home and have had the same bad luck with contractors to stain our fence, put up outside window shutters etc.. As far as CW is concerned, whenever anyone asks for advice I reply with one word... "consistency!" 15 minutes a day everyday as apposed to 1 hour a week is best. Anyone practicing 15 minutes a day for 21 days will be amazed. Stop for 3 weeks and you loose 50% of what you gained. 73!

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

Great comment, sorry for late reply. Yeah, you have to use it or lose it with CW. Hopefully will be making 1 video a week as my goal. 73

@thuff3207 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for putting this up. Nice place to play radio and I like the KX2 for CW and it wonderful tuner. Nice portable radio.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@larrytaylor7753 3 жыл бұрын

The AWACS aircraft air based at Tinker AFB on the east side of OKC. You will see them a LOT!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

I've never seen them more often in any part of the country than OKC. I wonder why.

@robertklinger2000 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome back Tom! Nice area you live at!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It has its ups and downs.

@mattsartori2624 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are amazing man Congratulations!!!!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!

@KevinW8BRY 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update Tom. Lots of stuff going on for you! Family is the most important. KZfaq is low on the priority list. I’m working on learning CW right now. Have a good one. Kevin

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

That's the plan!

@Peacemaker29073 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you're back.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Pat! 73

@victorbell1378 3 жыл бұрын

Ah...the joys of home ownership! The lake looks like a good place to decompress. My cw experience over the years has taught me that a very large part of head copy of code depends on who you are listening to.. too many operators leave too little spacing between words so your brain does not have a chance to hear it as a word... There are those that would disagree with me but that is the way I see it... Good to see you back and I always enjoy the videos.. stay stress free..72s kb9ghn..

@Kel_Joy 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see yo back Tom. I have been learning CW with the Long Island CW club. They have classes so you can learn to head copy. Keep up the good work. Kel - KB9J

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Good stuff my friend

@theexperimentalcqdx4208 3 жыл бұрын

So glad ur back Tom, de ZS6MSW cw op

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks bud, 73.

@rv6amark 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see you back, Tom. I agree that with CW you are either increasing or decreasing your skill. Same with your weight! I have struggled with both, but have found that intermittent fasting is easiest and most effective. See Dr. Jason Fung videos here on YT. Diets haven't worked for me. 24 hour fasts have become easy, although black coffee helps a lot on that. Occasionally I extend the fast. NOT eating is easier than cutting back on eating.

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

Man you and I have a lot in common, sorry for the late reply. Yes, I am having such a hard time losing weight that even 24 hour fasts don't work anymore. I'm not joking.

@TridentMissileTech 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve had two newly built homes. Each time moving in and getting everything right takes about two seasons. Keeps you young. Good to see you make a video

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

So true!

@rossbassette7518 3 жыл бұрын

Pops 66 Soda Ranchj in Arcadia, OK is an absolute MUST STOP!!!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

agreed

@RW-ce8kp 3 жыл бұрын

I like that your dog’s name is Twister. Good name for an Oklahoma dog. :). 73. Nice videos. AE4X

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

Ha, you get my humor. Twister

@edbeckerich3737 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to see you back at it! I am another one working on my code speed, and love your channel

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you! Love that comment.

@MCCRITTERS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you have your hands full with projects. Sucks about your company , glad to hear you are recovering from the ransomware. I hear you with unreliable contractors. I have been trying to get a retaining wall, fire pit area and paver walkways built this summer. They come out act as if they are excited to do the project then nothing! LOL I don't understand that behavior. I had a guy with a skid steer with Fecon attachment clear out the forest brush and saplings behind my home in February. Best $1800 I spent all year. I have reclaimed about 2 acres of yard that I have been working on to create a backyard sanctuary. this year. I moved my bird feeders and put a camera up to enjoy the sounds and watch the wildlife. With the brush cleared I have enough room to set up an 80-10 EFHW about 55' in the air between some huge Oak and Sycamore trees.. Been so happy with this antenna after making first time contacts in Asia, and throughout Europe. Take Care! Cheers, Mike - K9MFJ

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, Muddy, great comment. I wish someone would clear that for $1800. I need to expand the fence gate first before it can be done. Love ur antenna. 73 tnx fer comment

@m.p.6330 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see another video. I am learning to speed up my copying, but it does take a while.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

It''s all about persistence and repitition. Tnx fer comment friend.

@n8telyons 3 жыл бұрын

Took me about a year to achieve head copy. Listened to 300 most common words each day in 100 word chunks. Used a text to cw conversion program and uploaded the mp3s to dropbox. After a while you hear the words. Up to about 20 wpm the letter/word patterns are similar. After that i find small changes in wpm makes a bigger difference in compression. I tried the ticker tape in the head but couldn’t keep up. Long words can still hang me up but context helps a lot. When you can get the gist of the message and feel comfy, you’re there: head copy.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Wow thats a really great tip and inspiration. I think I'll do that. I'll get the most common words and listen that way instead of random ones. 73

@miker1473 3 жыл бұрын

Gud 2 c u back, Tom. I get the busy schedule. I thought you would settled in using that MFJ coil, a whip, and a counterpoise for potable ops. See my qrz page for pix of my successful portable antenna. As far as copying Cw, I always would close my eyes, and picture the CW being written out on a black board. That's what worked for me, to learn copy in my head. Then, to boost that, I went mobile with CW. Had a job that put me behind the wheel from 4-5 hours a night. CW kept me alert, and awake. Also, the faster the code you copy, you start to just copy whole words, instead of the letters. Those code copiers, like the one on your rig, only really work well copying perfect code. If the station your receiving has a bad fist, the reader makes no sense. I'm still waiting to catch you on the air. I'd love to have a qso some day. I'm usually hanging out between 7.04-7.06. 73, OM. Gud luck on the projects. N4ZN

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, Mike. Yeah for this video I just wanted fast and easy to get back into it. No tuning. I'll break out the coil soon enough. That blackboard idea is great. It gives something to stick to. yeah I'm not on the air much nowadays to catch me. Once my backyard gets fixed up I'll put up a proper antenna. 73

@stewpot3971 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to see you back! Been working on my morse; your morse playlist has been a great help. Just upgraded my license to intermediate! 2E0HIA! Got my Callsign today on my 47th birthday ha ha!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey buddy congrats on the call sign. I'm also 47. It's a fine age.

@joeblow8593 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome back. I've been thinking about getting a KX2. I've been listening to the nightly 18 wpm W1AW bulletins and trying to pick out the words and number runs. What's good about the W1AW bulletins is that they run non stop all the way to the end anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. So it's pretty intensive trying to pick stuff out for a 1/2 hour or more.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

That's awesome Joe. Yeah it's a matter of time. If you put in the time you'll get good at it, or whatever you want to get good at. Tnx fer comment friend.

@Rockeyes 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you are back, been missing the videos and your honest approach. I especial like it when the odd bit of humor slips in. As I have just started learning morse code myself, those tips you share and how you approached learning yourself has been very helpful. What was the Morse key you was using? All the best from this side of the pond.

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback Rockeyes. That was the Pico Paddle. I think they went out of business.... I bought about 7 years ago I think. 73 friend.

@DonDegidio 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tommy, Glad all is well. Was wondering what had happened, but it looks like life just got in the way. Once my financial situation settles down since my father's passing, intend to spend some time getting acquainted with CW again. Also going to get out for some POTA activities. My ankle prevents long hikes, so will be just parking area activations. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds good Don. We have to keep the hobby alive, for others and for ourselves.

@adamjones8218 3 жыл бұрын

Green spikey vine = Green Briar. hate it, but it's everywhere, if it seeds birds drop the seeds just below all of your trees and replant. Same with poison ivy.

@hamradiocq 2 жыл бұрын

yup, tnx. I didn't know what that crap was called.

@alexeizhiltsov6797 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tom, thanks for the video. Great you are back. I keep on repeatedly watching your previous videos on cw with subtitles, those are very helpful. Nice garden you have! I think there is a lot of space for antennas. As for the drainage, I noticed that the distance from the trouble area is less towards the front of the house than towards the forest area of your land parcel to where the pipe is currently led. I know it is done already, but was not it possible to direct the water towards the street infront? And it seemed to me that there is a ground inclination towards the front. As for cw, the same with me. Hear the letters, but cannot bring them together. Of course, this may come with practice, but work does not allow time to practice. And it is hard to substitute - an hour of fun becomes too expensive in terms of income lost. Finally, about antenna - have you tried a Yaesu Atas-25 antenna? That seems to be a good substitute for Ah-1 as it is mutiband - covers 7, 14, 21, 28, plus 50, 144, 433 mhz. I have one, although clearly not for trans-Atlantic qsos (although some managed even this), it is a good portable solution. But of course there are plenty similar antennas by other manufacturers. 73 de R2ARM!

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, I didn't show it, but that drainage goes under the fence out out the front. Some guys did it for me for the 1 year warrany on the house for free, so I can't complain. I will take a look at the atas 25. What I want is super fast/easy deployment. In and out. Thanks for the nice comment!

@alexeizhiltsov6797 3 жыл бұрын

@@hamradiocq Good that you have drainage towards the front also. In my location that is the most popular solution. But of course this may be not sufficient, so I also have two lines of drainage out the house. As for antennas, currently I am totally lost. On the one hand, I want something portable, so look towards Atas-25, Opek HV-600, but hoping to place the latter not on a car, but on a tripod with wire radials. Here it is a matter of experiment. But on the other I do not know what to do for the base antenna. I bought end fed wire antennas and dipole, all 40 metet long. But it is hard to raise them high in the trees and I am doubtful they would perform as efficient as verticals. So I also bought Hustler 5btv and Cushcraft r8. Of these Hustler seems to be better as not requiring the mast, and can be placed on the ground. But with the vertical comes the issue of neighbours, who could start complaining that their headaches are because of my antennas. So, I have to hide them somehow... and that is difficult. But I like verticals - in the past had easy contacts from Moscow suburbs to Florida, Cuba, Argentina on 100 watts ssb, I guess because of the low radiation directiin not to be found in those long wire antennas. So, I hope I would solve the dilemma this summer as otherwise in winter I will have no chance. 73 de R2ARM!

@ae1tpa92gwtom2 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Tom, great to see u bk,..😇, after all ham radio is a hobby, n taking care of yr property n family is the priority, nice u let us see what your up to, all the best... 73 n gd dx

@hamradiocq 3 жыл бұрын

You got that right!