This is an excellent video!!! You covered everything, and didn't go too fast or too slow, and broke it all down for the noob like me! I'll be hunting a lot before I do any activations, but you really set people up for success with this video!!!

Great advice for POTA or any mobile operation. Great job!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, OM!

One of your best videos by far! Thank you for the content

Sweet setup! Great video and subbed. Take care

I believe I'd be packin too !!! Love your channel !

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great tips - thank you 🙏😎

Tom I'd think it better to match your antenna at the antenna rather than from the other end of a run of coax so that you will not have high SWR on the coax. I use my IC-705 with the AH-705 and a 25ft coax and a 25ft control cable. I use a line to haul my AH-705 up into a tree with two wires sloping out as an inverted V and it works great. I'm actually new to this and have not yet activated a park but have gone out in the field with my equipment and done some operating and park hunting. It's been fun and I can see it will be addicting. My oldest son has the bug too and wants to get a portable HF rig for himself too. I've really enjoyed your videos, very inspiring.

@ThomasK4SWL

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tom. At home, I use a remote ATU at the feedpoint of my antenna for this very reason. It is definitely a best practice to have an ATU at the feedpoint of the antenna and not between the radio and the feedline. In the field? I find that the efficiency gains are not worth the inconvenience of trying to use an ATU at the antenna end. In fact, I don't even own an ATU with a control cable long enough to place the ATU 25-30' from my radio. The AH-705 does have a control cable this long, so I say if you've got it, go for it. :) I find that I work more stations when I maximize my on-air time and worry less about an ideal antenna. Rather, I focus on antennas I can deploy quickly. I hope you don't mind, but I think I might post your comment on QRPer.com in a future article. It's a great question. That is absolutely amazing news about your son wanting to join in on the fun! I hope you work you both soon--perhaps Park-To-Park? :) Cheers, Thomas

I've subscribed to your channel... Wonderful content... Thanks for making the effort to inform us all of your activities 😊

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Thank you.

Very nicely done sir, Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video for all of us wanting to learn more about activating off grid, out in the woods etc. I truly appreciate you and I hope you had a great time. It sure looks pretty out there, so for me, even if I didn't get all 10, it would have been worth the trip. Thank again kind sir, know you are appreciated. Ha, fun story for you, when you went to parks on the air, the first guy on the left hand side of the page was at Cadoo Lake. My wife and I will be moving to East Texas, in April of next year, so it was fun to see someone at the lake that will only be about 15 miles from our new home place soon. Thanks again. Dale KI5ARH PS, the 705 shipped, I do have a tracking number. So it wont be long now. :)

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Dale, Thank you so much for the kind gift--I love the personalized key fob! Just brilliant, OM! Thank you. 73, Thomas K4SWL

Very good video and i am assembling my first go bag with QRP radio so I am doing my eraser h.

Thank you for this. I just bought my 705 and I'm hoping to purchase the Antenna Tuner that's designed for the 705. I'm glad you talked about the Bioenno battery because I was wondering what's the best size to buy, which is the best balance of weight/size and optimal performance for what I prefer to do.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

So Bioenno is definitely the way to go. I really like the 6 aH size I used in this activation. It's a lot of battery for QRP operations. If I'm running power north of 40 watts (which is rare), I use my 15 aH battery. You don't have to buy a portable distribution panel because the IC-705 power cord has in-line fuses.

I'm new to Cw and still Afraid to do Pota . BUT my understanding is Pota is not for Experience Operator's is there a minimum speed of sending? I would assume not. Knowing what is needed to exchange is important so not fumble over contact.

@ThomasK4SWL

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely do not worry about your sending speed. Send at the speed you're comfortable receiving. CW ops will adjust and work with you. And don't worry about errors...the only person who cares at all is you! Just get out there and give it a go! :) "May the Force be with you!"

Great job! You might encourage activators to take more than one pen or pencil with them if they are doing paper logs. It's hard to jot down stations with a pen that doesn't work.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I do just that in the Field Radio Guide I'm publishing in The Spectrum Monitor mag. This month is part 1, next month part 2.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

And yes! Solid advice, that! :)

terrific job Thomas great station good dx 73 from kb2uew

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Alvaro!

Hi Thomas, great video! I just purchased an Icom IC-705 and this was awesome info. You stated you like to use a Bioenno 6aH but in this video it looks like a 12v 4.5aH? Maybe I'm seeing it wrong, which would better to get in your opinion? Thank you

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you're right. It's a 4.5 Ah Bioenno. I think that's plenty of battery for the IC-705--especially if the IC-705 battery pack is charged too--we're talking 8+ hours of steady operating likely. These days I actually use a smaller 3 Ah Bioenno battery and find that's more than enough for how I operate.

Great video. Very helpful. When possible , please add links to the specific equipment you show so that we can be sure of he model or reliable vendor

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Of course! I'll add links to the description. Should be posted within minutes.

@wtmcpherson7219

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks!

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

@@wtmcpherson7219 my pleasure!

You have a good throwing arm ! I use a weight and I don't think I can get a line up 40 feet? Nice video, nice setup, Barry, KU3X

Tom, enjoyed your video, I'm new to POTA using 7300, WRC Vertical, and Bioenno battery and having a blast. Would like to try some different wire antennas but have always had trouble getting those wires up in the tree. What do you use to actually launch the wire/rope? Fishing pole? Slingshot? You showed us the line in the box that arborists use, but I didn't see (or hear) about the actual launcher. Tnx and 73 de WB8BHK

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Check out this article as it'll answer a lot of questions: qrper.com/2020/09/a-field-antennas-best-friend-the-amazing-arborist-throw-line/ In short: I am the a luncher. I simply use a pendulum "granny shot" action and can launch wire 50' into trees without issue. I believe I also demo it in this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mGiY19N_gcvbqpc.html Hope this helps! Cheers, Thomas

Which ABR cable is that? I've been looking for something smaller and lighter than my 50ft RG8X for portable qrp. I'm currently using my FT-818, but want to upgrade. I'm on the fence between a KX2/KX3 or the 705. I don't have a radio with a waterfall so that feature isn't a deal maker/breaker for me.

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Oh that's a tough decision. It's all about finding the best radio form-factor and features for your application. All of them are stellar rigs. The ABR cable you're referring to is the 316, I believe. Check out this article: qrper.com/2021/01/the-importance-of-quality-cable-and-connectors/

Could you explain Bioenno to iC705 hookup? I’m thinking... Bioenno-> distribution panel/circuit protection --> cable running to radio power port? I’m confused about cable plugging into radio. I assume you had to modify the end with power poles. Also what size amp circuit breaker do you use between Bioenno and radio? “73”

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Rex, You're correct. First thing I did when I got the IC-705 was to fit the power cable (comes with stripped pig tails) with Anderson Powerpole connectors. Then when in the field or at home, I plug the IC-705 into a distribution panel, then connect a battery to the distribution panel (I then use a 10AMP fuse). Technically, a distribution panel isn't necessary at all because the IC-705 power cable has fuses on both leads. You could plug it directly to a battery. 73, Thomas

Hi - which Tunner do you recommend for the 705? I’ve seen you run the elecraft and the mat

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

I personally have a slight preference for the T1 because it pairs with *any* QRP radio. The mat-705 Plus is great, but only pairs with the '705. I really like the LDG Z-100 Plus, too! It's a great ATU and more affordable than the others (also slightly larger).

@neoretrophoto9198

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL thanks for your feedback- like the idea of a 9v vs a rechargeable battery- hopefully elecraft will make a cable for the 705

Thomas, I'm curious, do you have multiple Bioennos of the same ampacity? I have a KX3 and, if my calculations are correct, a 3 Ah battery would last me about 2-1/2 hours, a 4.5 Ah battery about 3-1/2 hours, and a 6 Ah battery about 5 hours. I don't really like the idea of batteries *in* my radio and my initial thought was to have multiple 3 Ah batteries and then I wondered why and I cannot answer that question in my mind other than having spares of the same ampacity. It seems more logical to have multiple batteries of different ampacities depending on how long one plans to operate but I am likely missing something. Thanks.

@ThomasK4SWL

Жыл бұрын

So I have pretty much adopted the 3Ah size for my QRP rigs. I have a total of three. I also used to have a 6Ah battery, but put it in permanent use in a non-radio application. I also have a 15 Ah battery I use for my higher power radios (Mission RGO One, KXPA100 amp, IC-756 Pro, etc.). I've no problem using the IC-705's built-in battery--especially since I operate 5 watts max anyway. I find it lasts me for quite a few short activations and is so easy to recharge while traveling. I think having different sizes is fine, too, but I'd good with bringing two 3Ah batteries on an extended POTA rove rather than one 6Ah battery just to keep things lighter in my pack.

Forgive me if you've answered this before. When I'm in a park and I want to hunt another CW op, when he's ready for the next QSO, would I send "P2P WB3CFN WB3CFN K" or something else? Tnx de WB3CFN

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, Joe--So convention is actually to only send "P2P" a couple of times instead of your callsign. This makes your contact stand out a bit more and I can tell you the activator on the other end will answer your call first if s/he hears "P2P." Normally, this wouldn't be a good practice--sending without a callsign--and some people will still send their callsign with P2P before and after. Since site-to-site contacts are valued so much on both ends, it's an exception. :) Have fun on your activation and GL! -Thomas

When activating a Park. How many watts to you transmit with the radio to have battery last all day?

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

So I very rarely exceed 5 watts. With the IC-705 attachable battery pack and a 3Ah LiFePo4 pack, I'm set for a full day of radio play.

What logging program do you use?

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

I've been using N3FJP's ACLog, but recently moved to HAMRS on my iPhone because it's pretty easy to use without a tablet. I do love ACLog, but you'll need to customize it for POTA (there are some great videos for that on KZread).

Hello I know this is old but maybe you still see it. I just got my General on 4/3/22. Today I heard a POTA call and was able to make contact. He responded but he cut out before I got his call sign. I wrote down the time and frequency in my log But does POTA automatically Log contacts? I immediately went and opened a POTA Account. Wondering if there's anyway I will find out who it was i spoke to Thanks.

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

Once you have a POTA account under your callsign, if the activator logged you and submitted the logs, there's nothing else you need to do. On the hunter end, there are no logs to submit--everything is based on activator logs. Hopefully the contact will appear as soon as the activator uploads their logs.

@onemorething100

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank You!

I am a bit confused…So what happens if you don’t have Internet and you don’t have a friend listening for you?

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

So if you're operating in CW, you simply need to schedule the activation in advance via the POTA (or SOTE, or WWFF) website. If the RBN picks you up, the sites will auto-spot you. Same with a number of digi modes. In SSB? Well...it's more difficult.

Your morse key is obviously 3d printed... Is it just the shell, or did you make the whole thing from scratch?

@ThomasK4SWL

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it is 3D printed, but by a company run a family hams called CW Morse. I highly recommend their keys. There are a few CW key projects on Thingiverse and I'll likely try building one someday, but honestly, these CW Morse keys are beautifully designed. cwmorse.us/

Missing stuff. Like your mic. Which I did this weekend? Uhg...

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

We've all been there. :)

There is good content here, BUT I got dizzy watching the video. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE CAMERA, and if you must, do it slowly.

@ThomasK4SWL

2 жыл бұрын

:) This was one of my earliest videos and had no image stabilization. You'll find they're much improved in the past couple of years.