Search Results for: lab 599

Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP

A windy, creekside QRP activation of Pisgah National Forest and Pisgah Game Land

2 Comments

Lately, I’ve had quite the backlog of reviews and evaluations building up. Family life has been active–and it always comes first–but also I’ve a number of projects on the table (two kit builds, one repair, two antenna projects), four articles for various publications, two new transceivers (the TX-500 and now an X5105 on loan), and … Continue reading A windy, creekside QRP activation of Pisgah National Forest and Pisgah Game Land →

Antennas, Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios

Discovery TX-500: Attempting a speedy POTA activation with a new rig and new antenna

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While I love the opportunity to head outdoors and play radio, I also love shaking up my field kit and trying different combinations of radios, antennas, and other station accessories. When using new-to-you gear, though, a best practice is to set everything up at home before you hit the field. This way, you can confirm … Continue reading Discovery TX-500: Attempting a speedy POTA activation with a new rig and new antenna →

Morse Code, News

My path to learning CW and activating parks and summits

23 Comments

One of the most common questions I receive on my YouTube Channel is on the topic of how I learned CW and started doing CW field activations. I’ve often told new hams or those who want to learn CW that there is no “one path” to learning CW. Mine was certainly not a straight path, … Continue reading My path to learning CW and activating parks and summits →

How To, News, Portable, QRP

Tutorial: How to call CQ as an HF QRP station in SSB/Phone

3 Comments

Many thanks to Susan who writes: I am new – just about to start – portable, QRP operating. I’m just waiting for the weather to cooperate a bit. Via phone, I have been looking around for the “proper” way to call CQ indicating either QRP or portable – or both! but I haven’t found that. … Continue reading Tutorial: How to call CQ as an HF QRP station in SSB/Phone →

News, POTA, QRP, SOTA

Unofficial POTA & SOTA Etiquette

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I recently saw a post in the POTA Facebook page that reminded me of a question I received from a reader last summer. This reader asked: Thomas, I’m new to POTA [Parks On The Air] and also plan to participate in SOTA [Summits On The Air] on vacation later this year. I’m a DXer and … Continue reading Unofficial POTA & SOTA Etiquette →

Articles, How To, News, Portable, POTA, QRP

Parks On The Air Pro Tip: Finding more park sites to activate

5 Comments

Many thanks to QRPer, Curt, who recently left the following comment on a recent post and noted: I too was a NPOTA activator. My first HF contact ever was on 9/10/2016 and then I threw myself to the wolves so to speak activating my first park on 11/12/2016. When NPOTA was over I went into … Continue reading Parks On The Air Pro Tip: Finding more park sites to activate →

Antenna Tuners, Antennas, News, Portable, QRP

Could the Icom AH-705 be used as a permanently-mounted remote ATU? Sure, but I believe there are better options.

3 Comments

Many thanks to Bruce (W0MBT) who writes: Hey Thomas, After many years of inactivity, the combo of this blog, the IC-705, and Covid shutting down all the other fun things I like to do has finally got me somewhat active again. I agree with you that [the Icom AH-705] seems pretty large and expensive for … Continue reading Could the Icom AH-705 be used as a permanently-mounted remote ATU? Sure, but I believe there are better options. →

Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA

POTA Field Report: Finally putting Toxaway State Game Land on the air

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I woke up Saturday morning (October 24, 2020) with one goal in mind for that day: activate Toxaway State Game Land (K-6960). This year, I’ve had a blast finding game lands to activate for the Parks On The Air (POTA) program as they are typically are less crowded, have open areas to hang long antennas, … Continue reading POTA Field Report: Finally putting Toxaway State Game Land on the air →

Field Reports, News, Portable, QRP Radios

POTA Field Report: Pairing the Icom IC-705 with the Elecraft T1 and CW Morse Pocket Paddles

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On Wednesday, October, 14 2020, the weather was gorgeous so I decided to make an impromptu POTA activation of Pisgah National Forest and the Pisgah Game Land (K-4510 and K-6937). These sites are the closest to my QTH and only a 15 minute drive (in fact, I can even hike up to the same trail … Continue reading POTA Field Report: Pairing the Icom IC-705 with the Elecraft T1 and CW Morse Pocket Paddles →

Antennas, Portable, POTA, QRP

A field antenna’s best friend: The amazing arborist throw line

25 Comments

At least 95% of the time I’m playing radio in the field, I use wire antennas and suspend them in trees. Since I do a lot of park activations for the POTA program, trees are typically very easy to come by and most of the time the park office doesn’t care if I hang an … Continue reading A field antenna’s best friend: The amazing arborist throw line →