Looks like Elecraft have announced a successor to the AX3, the new AX4 antenna and a BL3 balun.
Time to get those equity release, remortgage applications, credit limit increases, loan applications (delete as applicable) in!
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Don’t fret, there will be a copy on Temu within a week for $19.99 
Declan
EI6FR
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The AX4 will be minus the decimal point. Time to get that Credit Union application filled in! 
I wonder how the AX4 and BL3 stack up against Le Slug Rouge?
In other Hamvention launches, via Josh’s video posted overnight from FDIM, I saw that Palm Radio has a limited edition orange Palm Pico! I already have the Limited Edition green one (my most used key), but the orange looks whopper. Must resist!
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This antenna joins the ranks of small telescopic antennas, of which there are now many.
Many of them require optimized radials and — and, as I’ve read, this one as well — often a tuner to even achieve resonance.
Often, the packed size and weight are decisive factors for purchase.
However, the performance of the antennas still depends on the radiator length.
And in that respect, any cheap Decathlon mast with 5.80m wire can easily keep up… and beat them in some aspects (certainly in price).
Here’s my suggestion for an alternative:
Decatlon 6m mast (not carbon), 5.80m wire, 1:9 unun, 2m RG 174 (the shielding acts as a counterweight - radials don’t offer a significant advantage) with a choke.
This antenna also works well with a tuner from 20m to 10m. Its flat radiation pattern is advantageous on these bands compared to an end-fed antenna.
When D4 was first activated D4/IB-023, I switched from the end-fed to this antenna at EI/IW-035, and only then did I achieve my first QSO and S2S with D4. Before that, I hadn’t been able to make D4DX. - And on May 2nd, I had an S2S with VA2EO on VE2/QC-078… and the conditions weren’t really great.
If you want to increase the power output, you simply build a more robust unun. 
You can save a lot of money!
73 Armin
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A home-made AX4 with the AX4-type 2.5m radiator that includes a tuner (!) can easily be put together for a few bucks…. no need to mortgage your house if you can do with a slightly less classy design… QMX antenna - #9 by HB9EBE . Quite impressive performance by the way. And no balun needed.
73, Peter
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Now, I know more about your secret weapon to chase me S2S 
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Ali Express whip ÂŁ17
Elecraft AX4 ÂŁ300 (?)
Worth every penny for the
convection cooled base unit™️
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I find the integrated (connect-in) table clamp quite a good idea. I already have several both reduced size (like this one) and full-sized (red slug and other) antenna solutions, so I wont be buying an AX-4 but I will say, as usual, it looks like a well designed, attractive solution from Elecraft. As regards adding a table mount for my reduced size/loaded vertical (Diamond RHM-8B for example) - I came onto this article for a BNC clamp mount that will clamp onto several things including a BBQ area table, or railing or tree-branch!
73 Ed.
Update - here it is at FDIM vendor night: https://youtu.be/NABvmithgqg?t=611
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Make it £400/€500, it’s 100W after all.
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Ah the old Elecraft-is-expensive lament.
The sale price of an item is based on
- the component costs
- the assembly costs
- packing/delivery costs
- recovery of development costs
- profit to fund future development
- profit for the owners ('coz why work if you don’t make money)
- brand name premium
I can tell you the development costs are essentially zero for the TEMU ones. Likewise costs for future development are zero. Costs are low when you steal Elecraft’s design work! Of course Elecraft have massive brand loyalty with their customers which protects against some of the clone losses.
I do like the design for the table clamp mount etc. It looks like it will work well. But I’m with Armin that a small fibreglass pole and some wire will work better for much less convenient and quick setup. And Old Sol is starting to slow down and begin his slumbers and I’ll hazard more wire in the sky is going to work noticeably better than short(ish) high-Q based loaded whips.
Would I like an AX4? Yes. Will I be buying one? Probably not.
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GM4LLD, that’s really a great summary how a price for a product is built up - thank you very much!
When I’m reading posts in forums - also here in the reflector - sometimes I feel like I’m in the wrong movie First reaction of a lot of people here, when any manufacturer launches a new product, is “that’s by far to expensive - I can have it much cheaper!”. What’s the motivation in posting such nonsense, that really haven’t to do anything with the original post? I ask me: Is the motivation of radioamateurs, who are posting here, to save money in their hobby or to have fun on-air? What would be for example, if ELECRAFT could no more cover their costs to stay innovative? We wouldn’t have a KX2, we wouldn’t have a KH1 ans so far… According to me it isn’t forbidden to think before posting comments….
Thank you very much once again and have further fun on the bands!
vy 73 de René, HB9NBG
BTW: You can work DX also with a short telescopic - my-self I do it again and again…
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Very true! I use the Diamond RHM-12 often and have great success with it. The KH1 whip too.
I might get an AX4, not decided yet. I like the AX1 and AXE1 and have a 3D printed clamp for one if I get one.
Le Slug Rouge does a fantastic job for the money, though you do want to modify it a bit to get higher performance out of it. The RHM-12 is very expensive, but I have had excellent performance out of it with minimal fuss almost every time I’ve used it.
@GM4LLD is on the money though, with El Sol on a slowpoke it’s time to pop a wire in your pack as well as your whip. I’ve been testing an EFRW for 80 through 10 recently. Works great, but I do like a cheeky little telescopic!
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It’s just like going out to eat…
My wife always says, “It’s so expensive! That tiny bit of food on the plate!”
…and I say: “You’re paying for the building and the furnishings, the electricity, the heating, the chef, the waitstaff, the loan for the kitchen, the owner’s profit… the food on the plate accounts for only 10%.”
Fortunately, I enjoy cooking! 
73 Armin
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That sounds good! There’s another “very expensive” () antenna on the market: “HB9NBGs Clever-Whip Kit” . Carine and I are doing nearly all of our SOTA-activations with that antenna, and it performs like nothing other 
we’re working all continents with it again and again - with 10W and in CW as well as in SSB 
As it’s a resonant fullsize-vertical for 20 to 6m, it isn’t beatable for DX-ing, and the point, that’s unique is the tripod and the very easy handling of the setup - I’m thrilled!
Have further fun on the bands!
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René, while I admire your enthusiasm, you’re only on here to sell stuff.
My personal view is allowed, and if you want it in full, it is that the elecraft KX-2 is an excellent radio and worth the money. Elecraft AX series compromise whips are not worth the money.
That is mildly offensive, however I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt because of the language differences/translation.
Enjoy the mountains this summer. 
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Interesting feedback! But what should I say…. You haven’t seen me here since a little while, and I sold a lot of stuff nevertheless I think what I said earlier applies pretty well here: it’s not against the rules to think before you start typing 
But to be honest, I’m to old and with 32 years as a self-employed professional to long in the business for discussions like this…….
Enjoy your activities as well 
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I would add a third option when deciding on a purchase (any purchase) -
Do I already have one - or something very similar - sitting packed away somewhere, never used?
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