Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:
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:
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!!!!
Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:
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!
Another year, another vacation coming to an end. This morning we left a deposit on our cabin for the same time next year. Unfortunately, that's 52 weeks away. Lord willing, we'll make it back up here. Who knows, maybe this time next year I'll actually be retired and won't quite dread returning home so much. Mind you, it's not home that I dread returning to. It's work. After 46 continuous years of work days, I've had just about enough.
Right now, the lawn maintenance people are busy outside, cutting grass and trimming. Once they are finished, I'll set up one last time to give out some contacts from US-2001. It's not quite so hot today as it has been, but I'll probably drape a white towel over the KX3 to reflect some of the sun's rays away.
The weekend forecast for home shows a flash flood watch has been issued for today and tomorrow. Sunday is the Sussex ARC Hamfest, probably ranked as the biggest, or at least one of the top two biggest Hamfests in New Jersey. That's a good hour's ride from home. After driving home tomorrow, and then going to pick up Harold from my sister, I doubt I'll be in a driving mood come Sunday morning. I'm not in the market for any gear, but it's always nice to run into familiar faces.
On a side note, I did not bring the laptop with me. I've been doing all the computer stuff that I need to do with a (very) old Samsung Galaxy tablet and a Bluetooth keyboard. It has worked out pretty well, above comic notwithstanding. The tablet was originally mine, but I gave it to Marianne when hers gave up the ghost. After a few years of her using it, I bought her a new one last Christmas. This one has a few cracks in its glass and the processor is notably, and sometimes maddeningly slow, but it does what I need it to do, eventually. I have been able to keep up with Skeeter Hunt number requests ..... we're up to 123 now, and I've been able to add my POTA QSOs to their database. I've also been able to keep up with the Ham Radio blogs that I read and of course, my daily needed dose of comic strips. You know, the important stuff!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
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
I’ve been pretty active on the Mastodon radio community for a while and I’ve noticed that there are a lot of operators using a mode called Single Side Band or SSB for something called Phone. Apparently, this is where you talk into the microphone (that box with a wire on it that comes with most radios) and converse with other operators as you might with CW or a digital keyboard mode. I decided to give it another try as I headed out to West Branch State Park – US-1999.
OK. Yeah.
I don’t do a lot of phone at the park because I don’t like being the weirdo sitting at a park bench talking to himself. Or even worse, sounding like I’m having the strangest telephone conversation ever. So I generally stick to silent modes like CW or digital. But today, I decided that I would take a few toys to the park that hadn’t been out in a while and just play for a bit.
The Hardrock-50 is a piece of gear that I usually reserve for OSPOTA and when we go camping in the camper. It’s a fantastic amp with wonderful performance. With it plugged into my 20 aH battery, I can run for quite some time at a staggering 40 watts or more! It’s crazy to think I have that much power at my disposal.
The HR50 was a natural accessory for doing phone at the park. 10 watts of SSB is like screaming into a pillow in my experience, so I usually just skip it. With the amp, I can actually get out and hit some other stations. I usually do fairly well at OSPOTA and I credit a lot of that to the Hardrock.
I also grabbed the Chameleon whip and extension out of the Jeep trunk and set that up as my antenna of choice. It’s really great on 20-meters and works really well with the amount of power I was planning to use. My QRP antennas were off the table (but still in the trunk just in case).
I had enough contacts to call it an activation in about 10 minutes. I had forgotten how quickly phone pile-ups set in and my smooth handling skills were a bit out of practice. Nonetheless, the generous hams out there managed to muddle through some weird shifts on the bands with me. I was getting reports that 40 was unusable and 20 was in and out. And it was. I had more than a couple of contacts drop out from under me just as we were finishing up our QSO. The wind noise at the park wasn’t helping matters either.
With 40-some phone QSOs in the log, I took the time to shift over to CW. With an amp, I was REALLY getting out. Grabbed about 17 contacts before I decided to pack it in and get some lunch. I did bring the tablet along with the intention of using ALL THE MODES but I got hungry and left my granola bar on the kitchen table. Next time!
There are few things I like less than being surprised. With my head down and deep in the pile-ups I was absolutely startled by a woman and her dog who walked up behind me to see what I was up to. It was a very, very friendly older pup and the nice lady had a lot to say about her podcast project that didn’t have a name yet. She was really nice and gave me a chance to pull my head out of operating long enough to explain myself and the weirdness she was seeing. It was a nice conversation.
After I’d moved over to CW it happened again. A young woman poked her head around me and asked if I fished here often. After finishing my QSO I said that I’d done a lot of fishing at West Branch, but no catching. I did point out where I see the bass boats with old dudes smoking cigarettes and sipping coffee all the time. Not that I ever saw them catch anything, but they must be in those spots for a reason, right?
All of this took me right back to late fall and how much I love this park when it empties out for the season. When it can be busy enough for visitors on a Thursday in July, well, it’s time to move to other parks until it gets cold again.
Lots and lots of contacts from coast to coast. A pile of park to park contacts are hidden in there as well. It’s awesome! Here’s the QSO Map.
It’s great to play with this hobby and cycle through things once in a while. Dusting off a mode I don’t often use can be a blast. The battery box and HR50 aren’t that cumbersome so I should toss them in more often. QRP will always be the most fun for me, but there’s no reason not to drag along a couple of extra watts now and again.
Thanks for reading along and 73!
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.
Another 10 stations in the log. I have to be upfront about this. This isn't a POTA vacation like some of the real die-hards do. This is a time to be away with family and just to enjoy each other and our down time together. Nonetheless, they do respect my love for Amateur Radio and afford me some solo time for my favorite pasttime.
The set up of the crappie pole and PAR ENDFEDZ went like a hot knife through butter. Easier, and it went up even more quickly than expected. Literally in a matter of minutes, the antenna was up and ready to go. Hindsight being 20/20, the Jackite pole would have been the better option, giving me an additional 10 feet in height. That's on my mental list for next year. Tear down and stowaway went just as smoothly.
This morning, I had a mis-click on the POTA site and ended up on the awards page. Lo and behold, I just got the Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody award for 500 unique parks hunted. Who knew?
I would like to thank all of the activators and the parks management services around the globe for this award!
In all seriousness, it’s kinda neat to stumble on these stats once in a while. It’s not what keeps me moving, but it does add a little spice to things from time to time.
I will go out on a limb and say that if we were to poll every person who purchased the Penntek TR-45L and those operators were honest in their answers, 90% or more would say that they bought it because it looks like what a ham radio should look like. It has switches and knobs and…oh yes…that gorgeous lit dial to indicate transmit power, SWR, or receive signal. This is the kind of radio you would make if you were asked to produce a radio for a movie. It has a lunchbox handle and is beautiful in every way.
The fact that it is a CW rig at 5 watts with 5 bands is just icing on the cake. This thing is a QRP devotee’s delight. There is nothing about its appearance that doesn’t inspire joy for me.
When I first got it, I described it as being a Sunday Driver of a rig. I stand by that. Everything about it just feels like it’s coming from another age. This is not to say that the performance isn’t top notch! Far from it! The receiver is quite good at pulling signals out of the noise and I’ve worked some serious distances on this continent with less than the full 5 watts. I got mine with the Z-match tuner add-on and love that thing so much. The more knobs and switches, the better!
My first activation with this radio was when it was just starting to get cold outside. I didn’t get much time in with the rig before the weather really settled in and I got into my Get-In-Get-Out winter activations with my IC-705. During that first activation with it, I could just imagine a warm summer day, a cold beverage, a picnic table, and all the time in the world to play radio. Everything about this rig makes me want to slow down and savor my time on the air.
So that’s what I did.
With an entire week to do whatever I choose (within certain limits, as one would expect) I decided to head out to a place I’ve not been since the snow disappeared: West Branch State Park – US-1999. I packed up the TR-45L, my Begali Traveler, the 40-20-10 EFHW and headed for the park. No time limits. No pressure. Just me and the radio.
The park was not particularly crowded, though there were families at the beach that I could see from my position at my Regular Spot. I got my throw line over The Branch on the second try and had the antenna deployed in no time at all. This is the kind of thing that comes from being relaxed and completely unhurried.
I spread out my tarp and set up on 40-meters.
The band conditions were back to the ones that I loved so much earlier in the year. No CMEs, no tantrums, just good propagation. Really, really good propagation. I was pulling in contacts fairly quickly. RBN was picking me up at 20dB which was a shock. With contacts rolling in steadily, I validated the activation in about 15 minutes. But again, I was in no rush. I settled in and kept calling CQ.
The scenery at the park is so different in the summer. The trees are full of leaves and the grass in this new pollinator area is high. So high that I could pretend that I was deep in the bush with my Jeep almost hidden behind the grass. The geese were menacing me for a bit and I maintain that they are QRM as they clearly have agency and intent.
I was also reminded – almost constantly – of the other park visitors. The Skidoos and Jet Skis were ripping up and down the reservoir. People were being pulled behind boats with dual outboard motors and screaming the whole time. I didn’t feel so bad about not using headphones as there was no way anyone could hear me over that. The park feels different in the summer. It’s less a silent and solitary space and far more communal. Both certainly have their place. I suppose if I want to have warm fingers, I will have to share the place. I’m fine with that.
A phone call with one of the several pieces of business to which I must attend this week interrupted me as I was closing out a QSO on 40. I took the opportunity to switch over to 20-meters. In no time, I was in an actual pile-up! It was just like old times at the park. At the end of the day, I’d hit from Washington State to Nova Scotia to Florida to California. It was a really, really good day to be throwing disruptions into the ionosphere.
With solid propagation all day, here’s what the QSO Map looks like with less than 5 watts.
There is nothing about the TR-45L that isn’t a joy. Again, it feels like what you think about when you think “Ham Radio”. It’s a mix of solid performance and physical interaction that is tough to find in a world of touch screens and SDRs.
Today was also a reminder that slowing down and really setting aside some time for True Recreation is pretty important. I left the park today feeling relaxed and content. We probably all need a little more of that whether it’s with radio or something else.
Thanks for reading along and 72!
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