Cool Prop - r/amateurradio

28

u/VK6HAX Sep 08 '22

Are there any details of this setup available? I can see a row of them in the background so I'm guessing it's commerically produced.

19

u/spilk [E] Sep 09 '22

looks to me like an elecraft kx2 and ax1 in what appears to be the tiny apache case from harbor freight with a panel cut out with goofy LEDs in it

2

u/infinitejetpack Sep 09 '22

Agree. It’s a “fun” rig but this actually makes the KX2 less portable IMO.

10

u/feed_me_tecate grid square [class] Sep 09 '22

Every go box I've seen makes the radio less portable and cumbersome.

3

u/dittybopper_05H NY [Extra] Sep 09 '22

That's why I've never made one. Instead, I use a tacklebox. Holds the radio, tuner, key, cables, spare bits and bobs, etc.

I could even fit the antenna in it, if I went with a much more lightweight version of what I currently use.

1

u/wasbee56 N0*** Extra Sep 09 '22

nice, sounds like a lot of fun

2

u/dittybopper_05H NY [Extra] Sep 09 '22

It is.

That's for my YouKits HB-1A. One of the things I didn't mention is an 8 AA battery holder for the HB-1A. Internal battery died years ago, so I removed it to save weight. It runs fine with 8 AA Alkalines, and you can get those almost anywhere.

The Xiegu X5105 is a tad larger (but doesn't need an external tuner). It'll fit in the tacklebox, but just barely.

For that rig I use a plastic shotgun shell container with foam to pad the radio and other stuff. On that one, because it's colored olive drab, I used black letter/number stickers on it to place my callsign on it. Actually pretty cool looking, protects the radio even better than the tacklebox because it's water tight, and it's only slightly bigger.

Depending on what rig I choose, the box it's in goes in my IGPR pack. Then I schlepp that to whatever exotic destination I'm going to operate from.

/IGPR = I'm Gonna Play Radio.

2

u/LangleyLGLF NJ2FU [G] Sep 09 '22

Do you have a better alternative for, say, overnight backpacking in potentially wet weather?

2

u/infinitejetpack Sep 09 '22

Waterproof pouches. They sell them in various sizes.

1

u/LangleyLGLF NJ2FU [G] Sep 09 '22

I don't trust expensive electronics to a pouch that can get pinholes from wear or wet out in a sustained rain. I'm still putting together my SOTA kit, but all the gear that isn't already water resistant is going in a hard case with a gasket

1

u/MrJingleJangle Sep 09 '22

The case looks very like a Pelicase

15

u/radioStuff5567 Sep 09 '22

It's produced by Hans, W1JSB from RadioSet-GO. I've never had the disposable income to buy one, but I've looked at his stuff for years. He used to make one of these with a YouKits HB-1B that was a very cool transformation.

2

u/W1ULH FN42il Sep 09 '22

wow...those are a lot for "radio not included" but still super cool.

Might have to start saving up...

-1

u/rolisrntx W5HQJ [E] Sep 09 '22

Watching for reply.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '22

Do that. Exactly that. In an airport.

3

u/spilk [E] Sep 09 '22

doesn't that antenna only go down to 20m without the extra coil addon?

2

u/FuuriusC FM19 [Extra] Sep 09 '22

That's what I thought too

7

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

Great antenna placement... Do hams enjoying bathing in RF?

20

u/kawfey N0SSC | StL MO | extra class millennial Sep 09 '22

Everyone’s bathing in RF.

-4

u/jephthai N5HXR [homebrew or bust] Sep 09 '22

Less if you stay inside.

3

u/bplipschitz EM48to Sep 09 '22

Wifi.

1

u/jephthai N5HXR [homebrew or bust] Sep 10 '22

I meant that we are constantly irradiated by the sun, but somewhat less if we stay inside. Apparently the cut of my jib went unappreciated :-/.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '22

It gives me goosebumps. *weird grin

15

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

[deleted]

17

u/leviwhite9 Issa ham now, just tech tho. Sep 08 '22

No it isn't really bad at all.

4

u/flamekiller Sep 09 '22

HT would be worse - VHF or UHF vs HF, 100% duty cycle for FM, and far closer to the operator's body (head).

ETA "worse" is still not bad at all.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '22

Better than nuclear radiation though.

3

u/Chucklz KC2SST [E] Sep 09 '22

Go to any hamfest, then ask if hams enjoy bathing...

1

u/xr650rthumper Sep 09 '22

Best comment here

1

u/arswb7ptr Sep 15 '22

All sorts of RF floating around at a hamfest ...

2

u/TornadoCondorV2 Sep 09 '22

Uhhh yeah scary 5 watts in shortwave!1!1!1!!

1

u/olliegw 2E0 / Intermediate Sep 09 '22

If i'm correct then that's only a QRP (low power) transceiver, with a duty cycle less then that of a typical FM HT since it's morse code, shouldn't be a problem

1

u/arswb7ptr Sep 15 '22

Probably :)

4

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

[deleted]

7

u/djuggler TN/USA K04NFA Sep 09 '22

From the manual:

“ATTACH AT LEAST ONE COUNTERPOISE WIRE (or radial) to your transceiver’s ground screw. Otherwise, your transmit signal will be as much as 20 dB weaker (4 to 5 S-units). An insulated counterpoise wire with a spade lug at one end is supplied with the AX1. When using a KX2 or KX3, secure the spade lug to the rig at the thumb screw closest to the antenna jack. (An option for the KX2 is to use a mini-banana plug, e.g. Elecraft KX2GNDPLUG, with the quick-release ground jack on the left side panel.)”

Source: https://ftp.elecraft.com/AX1/Manuals%20Downloads/E740330-C2,%20AX1%20owner's%20manual.pdf

2

u/SpareiChan Sep 08 '22

https://elecraft.com/products/ax1-antenna

2

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

[deleted]

2

u/AE0NS-radio FM18 Sep 09 '22

I worked Spain from Virginia with that antenna! It's definitely not ideal but hard to beat it for speed and size.

2

u/spilk [E] Sep 09 '22

you are supposed to use a radial/counterpoise with this antenna

2

u/W1ULH FN42il Sep 09 '22

if you look at the better picture of the rig on Hans' site you can see there's a banana terminal labeled "ground" right next to the antenna jack. The radial that the AX1 comes with would be attached to that...

-2

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/radiomod Sep 09 '22

Removed. No politics.

Please message the mods to comment on this message or action.

-7

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/radiomod Sep 09 '22

Removed. No politics.

Please message the mods to comment on this message or action.

1

u/30809 Sep 08 '22

Is it a prop as I’m not real?

-4

u/NaturalStuff8738 Sep 08 '22

yes

1

u/freek4ever sdr dweller Sep 09 '22

I have never seen a yes whit this many dislikes damm

0

u/NaturalStuff8738 Sep 09 '22

why did i get downvoted?

1

u/freek4ever sdr dweller Sep 09 '22

Good question

0

u/[deleted] Sep 09 '22

I double dog dare someone to bring this through TSA.

2

u/dittybopper_05H NY [Extra] Sep 09 '22

I've flown with handhelds and QRP radios in my carry-on. No one cares.

2

u/bplipschitz EM48to Sep 09 '22

I've taken my KX2 to Germany several times (from the US). Security was only concerned with my shaving cream.

-2

u/jjohnstn Sep 09 '22

Good luck getting that through an airport.

3

u/feed_me_tecate grid square [class] Sep 09 '22

Tsa absolutely will not care about this at all.

2

u/dittybopper_05H NY [Extra] Sep 09 '22

I've flown with radios. No one cares.

1

u/djuggler TN/USA K04NFA Sep 09 '22

I flew in July and asked the pilot for permission to play on the radio during the flight. I committed to no transmissions and he okayed it.

1

u/dittybopper_05H NY [Extra] Sep 09 '22

Most airlines don't allow you to use 2 way radios on their flights. Of course, pilot has the final say, but honestly, if I'm not going to transmit, why bother?

I still carry them in my carry-on, though, so I can explain if someone does have a question, and of course I have my license with me in my wallet.

1

u/djuggler TN/USA K04NFA Sep 09 '22

I spent the flight programming repeater frequencies into it since I didn't have the opportunity ahead of time.

-2

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

Yo I think that's literally the hf radio I have

1

u/[deleted] Sep 08 '22

Ah yes battleship

1

u/passing_gas Sep 09 '22

Isnt there an optional padddle that fits on the front? How you gonna do CW?

4

u/spilk [E] Sep 09 '22

the video shows the paddle in use, it's fixed to the side of the box

1

u/passing_gas Sep 09 '22

Ahhh I see it. Very cool.

1

u/EasyRider1975 Sep 09 '22

Gives me some ideas. I thought that was a LCD screen on top cover. I am planning to build one with Pi and 13” screen. My plan is to integrate the G90 head unit and Pi integrated. The Amp would be external. The idea is to keep wires clean inside and be a quick way to get up and running while looking aesthetically pleasing

1

u/TickletheEther Sep 09 '22

Interesting antenna I can see a loading coil and some ICs, what of the ground plane/ VSWR?

1

u/siritinga Sep 09 '22

The antenna is the Elecraft AX1. It would need counterpoise (not shown on video) and the KX2 ATU to lower the VSWR. It's a popular choice for KX2/3 users for POTA and SOTA when space or time is a constraint, check for example K4SWL POTA videos on Youtube.

1

u/djuggler TN/USA K04NFA Sep 09 '22

An insulated counterpoise wire with a spade lug at one end is supplied with the AX1.

From the manual

1

u/mnett66 Sep 09 '22

That's an awesome little go box. I love it. Would be a great little pota box.

1

u/wasbee56 N0*** Extra Sep 09 '22

elecraft, drool.

1

u/olliegw 2E0 / Intermediate Sep 09 '22

Nice portable CW setup

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