by Thomas (K4SWL)

If you’ve been a QRPer.com reader or subscriber to my YouTube channel for long, you’ll know I’m quite the fan of super-compact, low-profile antennas like the Elecraft AX1 and AX2.

In fact, I just checked, and my Elecraft AX1 activation video playlist alone includes 36 videos as of this post.

Although AX antennas are certainly a compromise in terms of performance, I find them surprisingly effective for on-the-air programs like SOTA, POTA, and WWFF. While they’re not high-gain, they’re also far from the “dummy load” some make them out to be. In fact, the best DX I’ve ever worked in the field was with my Elecraft AX2 and just 5 watts of power—check out the field report.

The New AX3

A couple of weeks ago, Wayne Burdick of Elecraft announced the new Elecraft AX3 portable antenna, the latest addition to the AX line.

Unlike the AX1 and AX2—which attach directly to the radio—the AX3 is fully self-supporting, thanks to its detachable tripod legs and 1/4-20 base mount. This adds next-level mounting versatility, making it ideal for tabletop or ground deployment. (Check out how Conrad so easily mounted it to two different tripod options in his recent field report.)

It covers 30 through 10 meters and uses a 4-position band selector plug, which I personally find more rugged than the AX1’s band switch. Like its siblings, the AX3 is designed to pair with an ATU, but unlike the AX1/AX2, it doesn’t need to physically mount to the transceiver—so it’s compatible with virtually any rig and tuner combo. The AX3 also supports up to 30 watts.

Despite the added versatility, the AX3 still packs incredibly small: the whip, base, and tripod legs collapse to just 6 inches, yet the whip extends to 45 inches in the field. The side-mounted BNC connector avoids awkward cable bends or adapters.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m in the testing group for the Elecraft KH1 and, as such, I was aware the new AX3 was on the horizon, but I had not yet tested it in the field until I ordered one and it was delivered on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

From Unboxing to Activation

Since Hurricane Helene wiped out our local post office, my buddy Vlado (N3CZ) has kindly allowed me to have parcels delivered to his house. When he told me that “a small box” had arrived from Elecraft, I knew exactly what it was.

I had an errand in town that afternoon, so I swung by Vlado’s, picked up the package, and then stopped at the Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Art Center to perform the AX3’s debut activation.

Of course, I packed my Elecraft KX2, thinking it would only be right to pair the AX3 with an Elecraft radio for its first outing!

In my activation video (below), you’ll see that assembling the AX3 was incredibly simple right out of the box. I ordered the full AX3 package, which includes the antenna, mini banana plug, counterpoise wire, tripod legs, BNC-to-BNC cable assembly, and a small nylon storage bag.

I attached the tripod legs, screwed on the whip antenna, clipped the counterpoise to the ground lug, and connected the BNC cable. In less than a minute, the antenna was fully deployed and ready to go!

Gear

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Radio

• Elecraft KX2 transceiver
• Tufteln KX2 Protective CoverElecraft KX2 with Windcamp X2 Side Rails
• Elecraft KXBT2 Li-Ion Battery Pack

Key

• BaMaKeY TP-III Ultra-Compact Twin Paddle
• Key cable: Cable Matters 2-Pack Gold-Plated Retractable Aux Cable – 2.5 Feet

Antenna

• Elecraft AX3 package

Battery

• Bioenno 3 Ah LiFePo Battery (Model BLF-1203AB)

Pack/Case

• Red Oxx Micro Manager
• LowePro CS60 Hard Side Case

Log and Pen

• KOH-I-NOOR 5219 2mm Lead Holder Pencil
• Rite In The Rain Top Spiral Notebook

Camera/Audio Gear

• DJI OSMO 4 action camera with Joby Telepod Sport Tripod
• DJI Wireless Microphones

On The Air

The first thing I did was make sure the band plug was set to 14 MHz, then pressed the ATU button to find a match on 20 meters.

At first, the SWR was a bit high, so I redeployed the counterpoise—which I realized hadn’t been positioned properly. A second press of the ATU button yielded a better match. To force a more aggressive tuning cycle, I pressed the ATU button again, achieving a 1:1 SWR.

I started calling CQ POTA, quickly realizing that band conditions weren’t exactly stellar. Most contacts were plagued with deep QSB (fading). Even so, I logged my first 10 contacts within 13 minutes. When propagation is rough, it’s reassuring to know that compromised antennas can still get the job done.

After 20-meter activity tapered off, I moved down to 30 meters and was pleasantly surprised to get an easy 1:1 match. I had completely forgotten that the AX3 natively covers 30 meters—no extension coil required. (The optional AXE coil is only needed for 40 meters.)

On 30 meters, I worked an additional three stations, logging 13 contacts total before I ran out of time.

QSO Map

Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map. Click on the map image to enlarge.

Activation Video

Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation.  As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have YouTube monetization turned off, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.

Note that Patreon supporters can watch and even download this video 100% ad-free through Vimeo on my Patreon page:

Click here to view on YouTube.

I like it!

I can already see the AX3 becoming a go-to antenna for any field radio and ATU combo. If you’re using a 100-watt radio, just remember to dial it down to 30 watts or less.

This antenna is so compact, you can carry it in your pocket. And herein lies the brilliance of the AX design: a reasonably-sized, workable vertical that disassembles into an ultra-compact package.

Now I just need to start building up my AX3 playlist on the YouTube channel—that’s a challenge I’m happy to accept!

Thank you

Thanks for joining me during this activation! I hope you enjoyed the field report and video as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.

As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo makes it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!

Have an amazing weekend!

Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

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