Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:

Lack of Personal Interaction

1. Minimal Communication: FT8 involves short, automated exchanges of information with little to no conversational content, which some hams find impersonal.
2. Reduced Social Aspect: Traditional modes like SSB, CW, and phone allow for more personal interaction and socializing, which many operators value.

Skill and Challenge

3. Lower Skill Requirement: FT8 is relatively easy to use and doesn’t require the same level of operating skill or knowledge of radio theory as modes like CW or SSB.
4. Less Technical Challenge: Some hams enjoy the challenge of optimizing their stations and skills, and FT8’s automated nature can feel less rewarding.

Impact on Bands

5. Band Congestion: FT8’s popularity can lead to crowded frequencies, making it harder for operators using other modes to find clear spots on the bands.
6. Dominance of Bands: The widespread use of FT8 can sometimes overshadow other modes, leading to a perceived imbalance in band usage.

Perceived Value

7. Questionable Accomplishment: Making contacts with FT8 can feel less like an achievement since it relies heavily on automated software and less on operator skill.
8. Awards and Certificates: Some operators feel that awards earned through FT8 contacts are less meaningful compared to those earned through more traditional modes.

NOTE I RESPECT FT8 AND ENJOY OPERATING IN ROBOT MODE SO I CAN MAKE LOTS OF CONTACTS WHILE SNORING AWAY IN MY SLEEP

JOHN ips

You made 8 contacts Steve on FT8 and I made 32 on SSB during the hour. I got my activation done so catch ya later!

Hams enjoy operating in Parks on the Air (POTA) events for several reasons:

Connection with Nature

1. Scenic Locations: Operating from beautiful, natural settings adds an element of enjoyment and relaxation.
2. Outdoor Activity: Combines the hobby of amateur radio with the benefits of being outdoors, promoting physical well-being.

Challenge and Adventure

3. Portable Operation: Setting up and operating a station in a remote or temporary location presents a fun and rewarding challenge.
4. Adaptability: Hams must adapt to different environments and overcome obstacles, such as power sources, antenna setups, and varying weather conditions.

Community and Camaraderie

5. Social Interaction: POTA events often bring together like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
6. Engagement: Operators enjoy the interaction with other hams worldwide, exchanging QSL cards and earning recognition.

Skill Development

7. Technical Skills: Provides an opportunity to test and improve technical skills, from setting up portable antennas to optimizing power sources.
8. Operating Skills: Enhances operating skills under different conditions, improving proficiency in making contacts (QSOs).

Recognition and Awards

9. Achievements: Many hams enjoy the recognition and awards associated with POTA, such as certificates and endorsements for activating or contacting multiple parks.
10. Friendly Competition: Participating in POTA events can add an element of friendly competition, motivating operators to improve their performance and achieve more.

Promotion of Amateur Radio

11. Public Awareness: Operating in public spaces helps raise awareness about amateur radio, potentially attracting new enthusiasts to the hobby.
12. Community Service: Demonstrates the capabilities of amateur radio in providing communication in remote or emergency situations.

Personal Fulfillment

13. Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully activating a park and making contacts provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
14. Relaxation and Enjoyment: Combining a beloved hobby with the tranquility of nature creates a unique and enjoyable experience.

These diverse factors contribute to the appeal of Parks on the Air events, making them a popular activity among amateur radio operators.

Tks Sean

Be ham radio Active and get off the coach and stop watching YouTube videos of hams activating parks. Get out and do your own!!!!

I often get asked, “Why use 20 watts when my radio can do 100?”

Here’s why:

First, it’s about battery and power management. As a QRP enthusiast, operating at 20 watts simplifies my life, especially for SSB (Single Sideband) communication. While CW works great at 5 watts or lower, when readability is crucial, my park activations are at 20 watts. Yes, I operate at 5 or 10 watts SSB when the band permits or when I’m feeling adventurous.

The maximum power output of 20 watts is the sweet spot for effective SSB communications. The difference between a 20-watt and a 100-watt transmission is about 1 to 2 S-units on the receiving end, according to the Collins Radio standard of 6 dB per S-unit.

Most military and Australian bush HF manpacks are rated at 20 watts maximum output power. This level balances communication effectiveness with the practicality of how many batteries you need. Adding compression also provides a 6 dB boost in the modulation envelope, effectively enhancing your output power.

At 20 watts, I use 9 amps instead of 15, which translates to almost double the battery life. I can use a smaller and lighter 9aH battery instead of my heavier 18 or 30 aH battery pack.

I found two 6aH LifePO4 batteries at a liquidation store for $5 each. Wow!

I can pull 10aH out of the battery with no problem on SSB, giving me about an hour of run time, which is fine for a park activation.

73s IPS

I need a table for all this stuff

Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:

Lack of Personal Interaction

1. Minimal Communication: FT8 involves short, automated exchanges of information with little to no conversational content, which some hams find impersonal.
2. Reduced Social Aspect: Traditional modes like SSB, CW, and phone allow for more personal interaction and socializing, which many operators value.

Skill and Challenge

3. Lower Skill Requirement: FT8 is relatively easy to use and doesn’t require the same level of operating skill or knowledge of radio theory as modes like CW or SSB.
4. Less Technical Challenge: Some hams enjoy the challenge of optimizing their stations and skills, and FT8’s automated nature can feel less rewarding.

Impact on Bands

5. Band Congestion: FT8’s popularity can lead to crowded frequencies, making it harder for operators using other modes to find clear spots on the bands.
6. Dominance of Bands: The widespread use of FT8 can sometimes overshadow other modes, leading to a perceived imbalance in band usage.

Perceived Value

7. Questionable Accomplishment: Making contacts with FT8 can feel less like an achievement since it relies heavily on automated software and less on operator skill.
8. Awards and Certificates: Some operators feel that awards earned through FT8 contacts are less meaningful compared to those earned through more traditional modes.

NOTE I RESPECT FT8 AND ENJOY OPERATING IN ROBOT MODE SO I CAN MAKE LOTS OF CONTACTS WHILE SNORING AWAY IN MY SLEEP

JOHN ips

You made 8 contacts Steve on FT8 and I made 32 on SSB during the hour. I got my activation done so catch ya later!

After several thousand contacts with the MC-750 I can say that it is still like new. Of course, after a snowfall or rainfall I do wipe the antenna before storage into its excellent case.

I love this antenna because it works with my QRP radios and Ft-891 that do not have a tuner.

Jab spike into grass, extend whip to 14Mhz mark…go operate as SWR is always under 2:1 using its fixed radial length of 10 ft.

4 radials (wait isn’t it counterpoise?) has been proven to be a great performer. I always lay them on the ground and it just works with QRP contacts into Europe on 20m.

I have put all my end feds into a bag as to really work DX you need an efficient antenna without Balun losses and tuners in place (more losses) AND a low angle of radiation. The MC-750 gives you this.

I also tried the antenna on 40m understanding its a bit short so the performance is a bit short (usually an S unit or 2) but the speed of activation and recovery is awesome.

I deployed it this time on the rocks and was rewarded with some good contacts on 40m. The 40m coil is well built and has protection from the elements. I love POTA and my POTA is usually on 40 or 20m.

The Q is very good for the coil and the bandwidth is good so readjustment isn’t really needed when hunting for parks.

JNC is working hard to bring more affordable antenna products to the market place but only are they released after much testing and protyping.

I love the custom case with pockets that contain everything from getting lost. Its stood countless tossing into the truck, rain pour and transport on my bike. This alone is worth $60. The zippers work properly and there is room in the case for coax and even a QRP labs QCX radio. Even a swiss army knife and a energy bar and water flask.

My French River activation and Field day activity included 2 primary antennas (I brought a third for testing) and after the poor results with the end fed long wire with my 9:1 balloon I just kept the MC-750 connected. The band change from 40m to 20m was fast as well. Recover the 40m coil then extend the whip to 14mHz and run back to the cabin to operate.

The team has added some accessories and other items of interest to hams at price points that are affordable and designed and built extremely well. Pride in workmanship is a key company value.

I have had two MFJ telescopic whips fall apart due to poor quality and workmanship but my MC-750 whip although lighter in weight has worked admirably.

Get OUT and operate not sitting on a couch watching YouTube on people activating parks. Operate not watch!

John VE3IPS

Icom 705 at 5 watts with the MAT-705 tuner for the end fed and the Heil headset. QRP works and life is long enough.

My DIY 9:1 hangs off a nail

Working DX on 20m Thanks to the F6 in France using 5 watts SSB.

just some simple macro work cant work DX all day right?

Just stick the ground spike into the crack and go operate. At 17 ft and the base coil its a formidable weapon for 40m activity especially where a dipole cant be put up. I am constantly surprised how well it works on 40m with High Q and great bandwidth.

Hear em , work em, log em No problems

E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the July 2024 edition of OSCAR News, issue 244, here.

The paper edition edition will be sent to postal members and should arrive in the next 2-3 weeks.

In this issue:
• From the Secretary’s Keyboard
• Satellite News
• ARISS International Face to Face Meeting 2024 and 40th Celebration of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight by Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD
• QO-100 School contacts by John M5JFS
• FUNcube+ AMSAT-UK’s Next Mission by David Bowman, G0MRF
• Assessing Path Loss Due to Weather in Newfoundland by David Bowman, G0MRF
• VO1/M0XUU Operation from Newfoundland by R. Gopan M0XUU
• The QO-100 Challenge from VO1 by Graham, G3VZV
• VO1NAR Beacon by Graham Dillabough, VO1DZ

In ON245 we will continue with articles on the QO-100 Challenge from the VO100QO

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in amateur radio satellites or space activities, including the International Space Station (ISS).

E-members of AMSAT-UK are able to download the quarterly publication OSCAR News as a convenient PDF that can be read on laptops, tablets or smartphones anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Join as an E-member at Electronic (PDF) E-membership

PDF sample copy of “Oscar News” here.

Join AMSAT-UK using PayPal, Debit or Credit card at
http://shop.amsat-uk.org/

E-members can download their copies of OSCAR News here.

At one point they are laughing at old magic eye tubes!  They wonder if there is a digital way of recreating this tube in digital form.  Sorry fellows, that has already been done: 

https://hackaday.com/2023/04/12/the-eyes-have-it-with-this-solid-state-magic-eye/

Even an analog guy like me spotted that one. 

Here is the show:  

https://workbench.libsyn.com/hrwb-213-radio-rejuvenation-with-dan-quigley-n7hq

But hey, like I always say:  To each his own.  I'm sure many people like this approach.  It is just not for me. 

The Frankentenna consists of parts from three different antennas to create a 25 foot tall vertical non resonant radiator that when combined with a remote antenna tune results in amazing performance on the bands. Join me at the Plover River State Fishery and Wildlife Area (POTA US-10054) in North Central Wisconsin as I put this park on the air.

Chameleon URT-1 Remote Antenna Tuner: https://chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-urt-1
Chameleon SS17 17 foot stainless whip https://chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-ss17
Chameleon Mil-Ext 105 inch extension: https://chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-mil-ext-20
Feather Flag Base: https://amzn.to/3O6O7al
Antenna mirror mount jaw clamp: https://amzn.to/48yzRPL
3/8×24 SO-239 stud mount: https://amzn.to/3Sjre69
Faraday Fabric, 108×44 inches (3 yards): https://amzn.to/3RTjDv7

As a bonus, patrons can view the full, unedited phone contacts for this Parks on the Air activation. Visit my page on Patreon for details: https://www.patreon.com/kb9vbrantennas

I do return QSL, if you made a contact with me and would like a QSL, please send me one. Return postage not necessary, but always appreciated. As they say, KB9VBR is ‘good in the book.

Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.

The post Build the Frankentenna: the ultimate portable ham radio vertical antenna appeared first on KB9VBR Antennas.