I agree, there are times when an activator has to do a quick activation or no activation at all.
When short-whip HF antennas are discussed you sometimes see a critical post saying, why not use a ‘proper’ antenna so many more chasers could QSO with you? This is nonsensical. Activators exclude whole classes of chasers by their choice of band, mode and time of day. Better to have the activation than not.
In my limited experience of using my 30m short-whip antenna and 7m counterpoise wire [not statistically significant], the geographical range and the reports sent and received didn’t seem much different than with my usual 30m EFHW.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Peter!
I wouldn’t have been surprised if the short whip had performed a little worse than an EFHW on the ground. But now I’m quite surprised that in your experiment it outperforms the EFHW on 30m!
So, the short whip is definitely an option for quick activations (especially on summits with restricted space). And as you wrote: the QCX is forgiving, even though the SWR might not be perfect in some situations.
BTW: Thanks for sharing your neat design!
Comparing these two antennas with fundamentally different radiation characteristics (flat radiation vs. NVIS) seems to me to be a somewhat simplistic conclusion and therefore not suitable for a generally valid statement. Or is one comparing a Ferrari with a four-wheel drive SUV, right?
If such a comparison is made for one’s own purposes, the evaluation would have to take space weather into account, because the solar wind doesn’t blow into the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of >>500 km/s every day … so caution is advised when generalizing from just a few individual measurements.
Recently, for example, Daniel, HB9IIO, while on holiday in Menorca, noticed that during his activation (photo below) the propagation conditions and thus the signal reports on 30m were significantly better than on 20m.
Nothing spectacular, just as can always happen, hi.
On several occasions I did a A vs B [rx-only] comparison between my EFHW (invert-L but with only 5m vertical) and my Cha MPAS Lite vertical. I switched mid QSO using a manual antenna switch. I noticed for some QSOs one antenna was better, for other QSOs it was the other one, and for some QSOs there was no difference.
I concluded the differences were due to propagation mode and direction of each signal suiting the EFHW (e.g. NVIS with directional lobes) or the vertical (e.g. low-angle, omni-directional).
But, averaged over a large number of incoming signals (or QSOs in an activation) I’ve found there wasn’t much difference between them at least for the bands the antennas were intended for.
My instincts tells me my EFHW on a 6m pole has to be a better radiator / collector than my 1.4-long MFJ18xx monoband whips (and 7m counterpoise wire) sitting at rig height. Which is why I was so surprised with the results when I first tried them.
I don’t have enough experience to judge – especially now the solar cycle may be starting to wane – if the short whips still work well. So, I’m going to go ‘minimalist’ in an hour or so on 30m and 15m to find out.
I hope so, now in my mid 70s, in wintry weather I would prefer to spend two minutes setting up the short whip rather than 15-20 minutes with my ‘proper’ antennas.
You are right of course. It’s just a one afternoon comparison between my trusty Fiat 500 with a flat tire, and a tired 2CV running on one cylinder. Nothing to genereralise about. Only to report, as I promised, that the 2CV surprised me. Given the increased comfort of its great suspension, I am encouraged to use it more often ;-).
Everything’s clear, Peter, perhaps not all busy readers actually noticed that in your comparison, the EFHW “Antenna” was laid out on the ground …
BTW, for me specifically, the 2CV is a very apt choice, hi.
As a child, my brother and I spent many hours watching a garage owner work on engines. The garage owner himself participated in lawn races with a (very loud) bright red MV Agusta 125 „Bialbero“.
Cars were also being maintained in the garage, mostly those belonging to enthusiasts … but what impressed us most back then were the newly released and still rare Citroën 2CVs, especially because of their air-cooled two-cylinder, four-stroke boxer engine.
Pure nostalgia, hi.
Not sure if you’re referring to the photos uploaded to groups io elecraft? Elecraft AX1/2 for 60-10m by HB9BCB
Friends in France had a 2CV, and I loved driving it. With it’s low weight and small tires it actually does very well in snow and non-muddy off-road; you can let the sun in; and the sound is music to my ears. Quite different to the MV Augusta of course.
Just to report that Daniel, HB9IIO, still enjoying the beautiful holiday weather on Menorca, also benefited from the particularly good Spaceweather today.
Daniel, an AX1 enthusiast, especially on vacation, deliberately reactivated SOTA EA6/ME-001 at a slightly later time of day. His hope of logging a handful of DX QSOs was fully realized, with 8 of 37 QSOs across the pond.
Well done, Daniel.
Nice antenna setup! I used the same one in Italy, on Monte Salomone (I/LZ-136), with a QRProject tripod. However, I had some trouble at airport security since the tripod is made of aluminum, they checked it several times, both in Málaga and in Rome. I haven’t used the BuddiStick tripod yet, but I plan to try it on my next SOTA activation once I recover from my cold.
Typically, we use the AX1/2 with guyed radials and an Insta360 selfie stick as a height-adjustable mast, as shown here Elecraft AX1/2 for 60-10m by HB9BCB
Daniel used this kind of antenna setup during his first activation of SOTA EA6/ME-001
Ah! I thought you were using the BuddiStick mini tripod, I have one and it looks exactly the same. I’ve set it up for the AX1, but I haven’t tested it yet. When I try it out, I’ll make a video so it can be seen properly.
Have to say I’ve got a sneaky love of all these types of vertical antennas.
I had an AX1 for a while and did make QSOs on it, but never took it to a summit.
I notice that now, here in the UK, there doesn’t appear to be a stockist of anything Elecraft - the AX1 is listed as discontinued on all the major sites. Am I right in thinking that the only option now is to buy direct from the USA?
Hi Mark! Last September I bought an Elecraft AX1 and AXE from Lutz Electronics (HB9FZC). They are an official Elecraft dealer in Europe, as is Carlo Bianconi, but Carlo didn’t have the AX1 in stock. I paid around €340 including customs taxes, and I’m very happy with its performance. I’ve made some DX with it.
73, Manu!
Chasing (not activating) in a mountain valley in the Wallis with 1.4m whip and a QCX 20 used also on 30m. Not only superstations but also our activators have fine ears . Thank you!
. Thank you!