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Reviews For: Elecraft AX1 Multiband, Ultraportable whip

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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Review Summary For : Elecraft AX1 Multiband, Ultraportable whip
Reviews: 22MSRP: 99 w/o accessories
Description:
The AX1 is a two-piece telescoping whip antenna covering
20, 17, and 15 meters. It is targeted at pedestrian
mobile, "stealth," emergency, and ultralight backpacking
applications. An ATU (automatic antenna tuner) is
required for 17 and 15 meter matching. (The company's KX2
and KX3 transceivers both feature internal ATU options
that meet the AX1's requirements.) Features:

* Two high-Q base-loading inductors, with total
inductance switch-selected

* In one switch position, the antenna is resonant in the
20 meter band

* In the other position, the antenna is resonant between
17 and 15 meters, allowing it to be efficiently matched
to both bands using an ATU (typically internal to the
transceiver)

* Two-piece construction, with a 6" (15 cm) base unit
(BNC connector), and a whip of that same length when
collapsed; this size is compatible with transporting the
antenna in a jacket pocket or a small bag (such as the
Elecraft CS40)

* Supplied with durable 13-foot (4 m) counterpose wire
suitable for use on all three bands

* Options include a unique "whip bipod" (AXB1) for use on
a table top; tripod adapter (AXT1); and replaceent whip
(AXW1)

* The bipod has adjustable legs that adapt to rough or
inclined surfaces; it allows the AX1 to be used with a
right-angle BNC adapter without tipping in light to
moderat
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.elecraft.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15224
W3JJM Rating: 2019-10-01
Love mine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a niche antenna that does all that Wayne and Eric claim. Brilliant and well made piece of kit.

Just ordered the 40 meter section today.


W3NSA Rating: 2019-09-27
Cheap and fragile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Let me start by saying I have several Elecraft products and generally they make good if not ergonomically boring products. I purchased this antenna with expectations of a well built product. I was unpleasantly surprised. This product is poorly made and resembles a high school science fair project rather than a real product supposedly designed for field use. A clear plastic tube that readily moves and rotates accepting and retaining moisture, dust and anything else around. Performance is okay but I like my Super Antenna and PAR End Fed better. A lot better. Save your money - this one is a miss.
KI7EMX Rating: 2019-08-18
Wow! Very surprised. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just took my new AX1 with the KX2 on a three peak SOTA activation. This was the third SOTA deployment since receiving the AX1 (1st attempt - forgot to switch the antenna to 20m; 2nd attempt - forgot to charge my battery and had to default to 5w ssb).

After a frustrating time with band conditions, I experienced a pile-up on the third peak. Reached Mississippi, Arizona, Utah and California from northern Oregon (all 10w ssb on 20m). Good signal reports. The antenna deploys and breaks down very quickly.

Have previously used 20/40 meter MFJ whips, a 20/40 meter wire dipole (w/an 18' Wonderpole mast), and the Elecraft suggested wire antenna with a BNC-to-binding post adapter. The latter is also an easy setup, but requires getting some elevation. I will use this antenna as a back-up to the AX1.

My only complaint is the bi-pod. It doesn't do a great job on unstable surfaces and in windy conditions. Just ordered a backpacking tripod and the AXT1 tripod adapter.
VE3IPS Rating: 2019-04-03
Excellent Antenna Kit for Portable Ops Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The nice thing about this antenna is its not just for the KX series of radios but any radio like the Icom 703 or Yaesu FT-817/818

Compact and lightweight this antenna offers 20m performance right out of the box and with a switch you can use the antenna with your ATU for 17m or 15m

The build quality is what you would expect from a high end manufacturer

They offer a tripod and bracket assembly to make the KX interface to be seamless and avoid stress on the bnc jack.

I have made many contacts with this antenna on 20m and am happy with its performance. Its not a full quarter wave antenna offering maximum efficiency but coupled with its 4 foot length and counterpoise length of 13 feet it works extremely well.

Get out in the field and operate at lunch from a picnic table or from the shopping mall parking lot and if bands are open you will be happy making contacts with great results

I would also suggest that this antenna be used stationary as its not designed for mobile use while driving.

I was able to get a low SWR on my Yaesu without the need for an ATU and I can couple it with my Elecraft T1 tuner with one button tuning. Of course, the KX series allows rapid deployment and plug and play operation if you have the built in ATU
AE7YD Rating: 2018-12-26
Surprised 2x Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I did order the AX1 on December 20 expecting to have to wait until
late January but surprise nr 1, it arrived Sunday the 23rd.
I didn't order any accessories having everything I needed to create
my own.
Of course I had to try it right away and surprise nr 2, it works.
It isn't a Buddipole or Super Antenna but from inside my office at
the second flour I had spots on RBN in Canada, Kansas and Texas.
I didn't make any contact at that time but neither did I with outside
antennas.
Propagation was terrible when I tried, can't blame the antenna for that.
It is a superb finish and the price for the antenna is fair.
The accessories on the other end seems to be on the high side.
Would I buy it again? Yes, it packs very nicely in the larger LowePro
bag.
W0EB Rating: 2018-11-20
Compromise antenna but it WORKS. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a KX2 and was looking for a really easy to set up antenna, mainly for emergency use on trips as at my age I don't usually operate from anywhere I can't drive right up to.

Had to wait a while after ordering as Elecraft was totally swamped with orders when they finally got the "ordering" portal on their website working and I was a few hundred into the queue (my normal lot in life).

Once it arrived, I set it up (indoors) as the Kansas weather was raining/snowing & blowing but I was able to hear stations on 20 (only band that was even open at all).

Later, during the VP6D DXpedition, I was sitting on my back porch with the KX2, AX1 and my laptop computer set up to try using it on FT8. I saw VP6D spotted so being extremely optimistic, I set up WSJT-X in FT8 DXpedition mode and tuned to 14.093 or so. WOW, I actually decoded VP6D so I clicked on the call and let FT8 go to work. About 20 calls later I actually got an ack & report from them. It don't get much better than that, so I packed up the stuff and headed back in where it was warmer and uploaded the log to LOTW. The QSO was in the bunch that were QSL'd at the end of the DXpedition, so I'd say the AX1 works as well or maybe even a bit better than advertised.

Granted, conditions on 20 meters were really outstanding at the time I worked VP6D, but the AX1 did it's job. Oh, and I was using just the supplied counterpoise wire to which I had added the mini-banana plug and it was plugged into the special jack on the left rear of the KX2.

I've since worked quite a few stations with it on CW from inside the house, using several radials to add a bit more efficiency.

Right now Wayne is working on engineering something he calls the AXE1 (AX Extender 1) which will add 40 and 30 meters to it as well. Will need a much longer (about 33-35 feet) counterpoise wire but the longer wire could also double as a "Toss it into a tree" antenna as well.

W0EB
W3DX Rating: 2018-11-18
Perfect SOTA Antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the AX1 antenna for portable and SOTA operation. It’s the perfect companion for the Elecraft KX2, KX3, KX1 and other portable radios. I bought the AX1 with the optional tripod adapter.

The AX1 was designed to fit in the small Lowepro cases that fit the KX2. In particular, the whip unscrews and the base and whip are about the length of the KX2. That means the antenna will fit in just about any case that you use for the KX2. This was an important design objective for Elecraft, and the result is a really neat little antenna.

I bought the AX1 with the optional AXT1 tripod adapter so that I can choose between a direct mount to my KX2, or set up the antenna for a SOTA operation. In my case, I use a trekking pole with a camera mount screw on top, and secure the trekking pole with light weight guy strings and camping stakes. The trekking pole weighs 4.5 ounces (it’s a Rutalocura “Yana” trekking pole), and I always have one while I’m hiking. The guy rope system weighs another 1.5 ounces. The AX1 weighs about 4.5 ounces.

So the entire AX1 antenna system weighs in at only 10.5 ounces. Since I already have the trekking pole, the additional weight for the antenna, tripod adaptor and guy rope is only 6 ounces. Whew!

The antenna literally sets up in about 2 minutes. That’s important to me because when I’m hiking and I get to my destination it can be either very hot or very cold, and I want to get on the air as quickly as possible.

I also bought the AXB1 “bipod”, a nifty device for securing the antenna whenever I’m “picnic table portable”. I have a few SOTA mountain tops in pretty cushy locations with picnic tables, but for the most part I’m roughing it. The bipod is a really clever device for the antenna.
K9YEQ Rating: 2018-11-11
Nice replace for old Maldol AH- C14 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This review is subjective, and with little field test because of band cdx. The larger coil and the switch to provide wider range are superior to the expensive portable verticals, or no longer manufactured, antennas I already own. I have tried several collapsible verticals, but can attest the AX1 is well made and will perform better based on design, but not equal to the wires antennas I have available when I go portable; just a lot quicker to use and for grab and go. My only criticism is the switch centering. It is dependent on the lower bezel tightening and that takes a little bit of work to get it where I want. Elecraft needs to add a detent or some other method to lock this in. Otherwise, after a little diddling got it straight. I am able to do this without overly abundant instruction, or being overly critical, which I am sure some might be. I leave the review at 5. This is one heck of a fine portable antenna for quick grab and go. I do use an 11' counterpoise and operate 17M most of the time. I also have the recommended 13'. The KX2 is a great companion. I like to manually assure the antenna height before relying on the auto tuner in the rig. I had lots of experience with the FT-817 and the Maldol while ped mobile; this is superior in my opinion. The KX3 is yet to be tried on 6m with the antenna collapsed for freqs above design. Awaiting a band opening on 6m. I am not hesitant to try any band above 20m for ped mobile and will do as openings occur.
AI6XN Rating: 2018-10-25
An perfectly portable imperfect antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was on the early notification list and bought it on the first day. Wayne is a genius of design! Generally I keep a wire handy to use as an antenna if I am taking my mobile rig (KX3) with me on a hike, but if I forget the wire antenna or have no place to hang it from, AX1 might be just the solution. However from my backyard in early testing only 20m worked and that too ONLY when I attached the counterpoise wire. The best SWR I got was ~1.3 with counter poise and 4.5 without.
N6TZV Rating: 2018-10-23
AX1: Clever, and Ultraportable! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was on the early notification list as I participated in the email roundtables as Wayne, N6KR was developing the AX1. Ordered and received mine quite early on. I spent a few hours out on the deck over multiple days trying it out in various set ups: attached to the KX2 or KX3, on a tripod using the tripod adaptor,, and other improvised mounts with my portable antenna hardware. It is a clever package, good looking, robust, and a great performer given its short length and coil loading. It breaks down to a small package and is easy to pack. What fun! This makes it possible just to listen to the bands in a pinch, or work from truly portable circumstances away from home. Another great Elecraft product.... N6TZV