Great video, tnx. I just finished a QMX which was my first real build. I had to go back through it as I had some problems which turned out to be some common mistakes but it now works on all bands. I've yet to make my first contact with it but will soon. I know the feeling when you go to power it up for the first time. Keep up the great videos. Steve, K7OFG
@PaulK7VIQ8 сағат бұрын
Hit the like as soon as I saw the QMX. Well, I would have anyway, but it made me hit pause and to do it sooner ;)
@chuckrann62829 сағат бұрын
Petoskey! Our family used to cruise around Lake MI (from Chicago) on a 32 foot cruiser back in the 70’s. Boyne City, Charlevoix, Traverse City, and oh yeah… Leland. Sat on the rocks and listened to Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. Pentwater was pretty too. I knew you were a Northern girl. Northern Wisconsin side is pretty too. Door County!
@chuckrann62828 сағат бұрын
Get this… I drove up to Leland to meet fam after work once (on Friday) and picked up a hitchhiker teacher around Benton Harbor. Drove him to Cadillac, went on to Leland. Saw him again Sunday going south and… haha. That was the only hitcher I ever picked up. We were pen pals for years.
@Reality_view11 сағат бұрын
Enjoyed your video, reminded me of my CW days as a ham with a G4... callsign more tha 30 years ago! I would be interested to know how you get the names of your contacts, in my day you had to look them up in the call book (if you had it)?
@HamRadioDuo9 сағат бұрын
Thank you and good question. We use a phone App called Ham2K Portable Logger (PoLo) that links directly to QRZ.com which is the new-school call book 🤣 You just have to put in the call sign and their name and location come up on the app. Our video around how to POTA has more information that might help you have a better idea of how it's all tied together. But basically everything is available on the phone if you have the correct call sign and of course cell coverage 😊 Here is a link to that video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmXdaR_hbWthM0 And the PoLo logging app we use: polo.ham2k.com/ Hope that helps! 73, Becky es Mike
@Reality_viewСағат бұрын
@@HamRadioDuoThanks that's useful to know, I look forward to watching your other videos with interest...
@Utahforrest12 сағат бұрын
I love this so much! You guys are the best. Love the hike and hunt! Thanks for posting the content. I totally agree we are a tough copy of each other but you guys make it happen often! 73 de KI7QCF ❤
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Hey Forrest, as usual, that was a tough one! Most of the time we hear crickets on your frequency and thus the surprise ... hey we can hear him!! Thanks for the great ear to pull us out of thin air .... literally 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
@HB-vi3om12 сағат бұрын
Dumb question, but what speed is this? I got it, but had to repeat parts of it a couple times. Been "reading" Aesop's fables at 5wpm and this seems quicker. Thanks!
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
That's actually a really good question. We checked once before and on a straight key I usually send around 15 - 17wpm. So great job getting it if you're currently listening at 5wpm.😊 73, Becky es Mike
@brianve7jyd94314 сағат бұрын
thanks for sharing folks -- you need to come way up north - no cell - no apps - jus ur radio and fly by the seat of ur pants lol - take care 73 dit dit
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
That would definitely be a challenge and fun to just go with whatever happens! 73, Becky es Mike
@TravelinHam14 сағат бұрын
We loved our visit to Michigan. Spent a couple weeks in Manistee National Forest and swam at a beautiful in Lake Michigan. Beautiful country!!!
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Hey Mike! Michigan is a great place and there are so many beautiful lakes and forests. Hope to go back there soon! 73, Becky es Mike
@marcinmichigan277211 сағат бұрын
@@HamRadioDuo you missed the peak colors Becky - its on the downhill side with the trees changing colors de K8MH
@Mao-CR15 сағат бұрын
wow ! Very fine tuned hearing ! 73
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Thanks! There were some really tough ones in there. The more we are on the air it seems like we are able to pick out a tone and stick with it better. Mike is super good and tuning in with the radio which also helps a ton! 73, Becky es Mike
@KN7U15 сағат бұрын
Love the PoLo app for hunting - especially the easy logging/export to my QRZ log when I'm finished. Mostly hunt from home but always try to hunt a few when things slow down on an activation. Beautiful location, far too much prairie here in eastern Colorado. 72, Mike KN7U
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thank you Mike, we are very fortunate to have some great hiking and camping places not to far from home. And yes, we love the PoLo app and use it all the time. 73, Becky es Mike
@Mao-CR15 сағат бұрын
very helpful video.thanks for sharing
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thanks for watching! It was fun to make and hope it helps get people on the air! 73, Becky es Mike
@EA7LCY15 сағат бұрын
I love how you promote the radio and specifically the CW, I love when Mike makes the contact and passes it to Becky, that complicity is fabulous. Keep it up, every day I look forward to a new video, as I said, I love it. If you ever come to Spain in Cadiz you have a colleague who is an admirer and also in love with the CW.
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thank you so much for the kind words! We really enjoy hunting back to back and being able to just pass the key for the next exchange! Hopefully one day we will take our CW experiences to other countries! 73, Becky es Mike
@G0RXA16 сағат бұрын
Cracking video 👍 👏
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thank you, it was fun to do something a little different! 73, Becky es Mike
@WA2OUZUpstateNYHam-m5f16 сағат бұрын
Good video guys, thanks. Beautiful location. Pretty soon I'll be activating from my car, it's getting cooler up here. Good luck, we'll work each other soon I'm sure. John
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thank you John! It's still pretty warm here but I'm sure a lot colder where your are. Hope to catch you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
@HamRadioDuo17 сағат бұрын
Do you ever do portable hunting or just from your shack?
@WA2OUZUpstateNYHam-m5f16 сағат бұрын
I usually hunt a little bit first when I activate, then pick a frequency and start calling.
@dandypoint11 сағат бұрын
Yes. I hunt from home and when portable not in a POTA park. I try to camp at state parks and visit my local parks to activate them when I can.
@PhilG0BVD17 сағат бұрын
Another excellent video very enjoyable. I was thrilled to have hunted Shantel AA4SB on 10m CW yesterday 🙂 I follow her and Ed on KZbin and Junie N1DUC as well. I have you both in HamAlert but you come up at 1.30am UK clock time! POTA On dit dit 73 Phil G0BVD
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thanks Phil! We usually can't hear Shantel because they are close to us and that was our first contact with Junie. Hope to get you in the logs soon! One of these days we will have to activate earlier in the day :-) 73, Becky es Mike
@russellk4qpr82617 сағат бұрын
Hi guys, i didn't mean you should get their equipment, but, learn their techniques. Your golf ball should work fine. The bag is designed to both get over a high limb, and pull the weight of the rope even with friction or snags back to the ground. I wish you many happy potas.
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
That makes sense instead of just giving it a toss and hoping for the best. Sometimes it takes a lot longer than it probably should ... HAHA! 73, Becky es Mike
@N2AKJ17 сағат бұрын
I love the clarity of your video it's so clear and btw do you record the activation then upload it or do you live stream it like I do
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
Thank you! We actually record our videos and then edit them before uploading. It's pretty time consuming but we can tweak sound issues if needed. 73, Becky es Mike
@N2AKJ11 сағат бұрын
@HamRadioDuo I like too live stream my activations too give my subscribers the uncut real deal I want them too realize just because I'm a seasoned cw op and I still also make mistakes and it's ok to make mistakes it's the only way to learn is from them I also tell my students the same thing as well
@newsjunkie300017 сағат бұрын
I love doing P2P hunting! I often better signals at the park. Ain't QRP wonderful? 😊
@HamRadioDuo12 сағат бұрын
We had a fun time just being hunters! And super fun being only 5watts!! Thanks STU! 73, Becky es Mike
@CaseyStanton19 сағат бұрын
Yall are cute together. Thanks for the great content!
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Awww thank you so much! We are very fortunate to share the hobby and have a great time together. 73, Becky es Mike
@233mervyn19 сағат бұрын
Well done Becky and it worked first time 😊 Build the qmx and really enjoyed that now thinking of building the qmx+ Keep up the great videos giving me inspiration for my cw practice.
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Thank you and glad to hear you're getting your CW reps in!! I was nervous but happy with the outcome for sure! We have a pre-built QMX on the way so not sure what I might try next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
@russellk4qpr826Күн бұрын
Hi guys. I suggest looking up how arborists throw ropes into trees to save your arm/shoulders. Love your vids.
@HamRadioDuo18 сағат бұрын
Thanks for the tip! We are familiar with the throw weights, but have just never tried one. 73, Becky es Mike
@Steve-GM0HUUКүн бұрын
👍Well done. I have built a few QCX/QCX-mini kits. I found the instructions were excellent. I have found them to very capable QRP CW rigs. Nice to see someone new to CW using a straight key.
@HamRadioDuo18 сағат бұрын
Thank you, I really do prefer the straight key! The build was challenging, but straight forward from the instructions. We love both of our QCX-minis! 73, Becky es Mike
@todddavid3695Күн бұрын
We should coordinate some weekend, and I will reach out to you from Alaska.
@HamRadioDuo18 сағат бұрын
That would be amazing! We definitely would love to contact Alaska sometime! 73, Becky es Mike
@todddavid369516 сағат бұрын
@@HamRadioDuo Every night at 20:00 AK time is the Bush net. It is in LSB because we are in region 2. We do get CW check-ins from "The Lower 48" from time to time. You might want to try that as well!
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
We will have to give it a listen ... thanks!
@MIKROWAVE12 күн бұрын
Um, are you right-handed, but send left-handed Becky? Or is the video flipped?
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Actually, I am left-handed and send left-handed on both the straight key and the paddles but we don't flip the paddle control at all. Mike and I hunt back to back a lot and I just decided to learn that way from the beginning to make it easier. 73, Becky es Mike
@MIKROWAVE122 сағат бұрын
@@HamRadioDuo Wonderful. I had Mary NE1F on the key for a while on my second POTA activation with the old 3W out1930-'s gear. We had perfect weather again and spotted correctly this time, but still only 6Qs on 40m CW on Thursday.
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Amazing contacts you are making! Great job on that old rig! 73, Becky es Mike
@MarioVe22 күн бұрын
Great video, Nicely done7 3'S
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you! Was a fun project and I look forward to whatever might be next! 73, Becky es Mike
@edbeckerich37372 күн бұрын
Becky, you have a killer straight key fist! First rate!!
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Wow, thanks for the compliment. I think just going for it and getting on the air a lot really helps. I can relax and let the sounds come out! 73, Becky es Mike
@TommyGober2 күн бұрын
Thanks for the QSO! DE N5DUX @29:18
@Upnorthof482 күн бұрын
It’s not just that you’re out there playing radio, it’s the fact that, as couple, you’re out there having fun together which is the important part! Thanks for the great vids, keep’’em coming. New Sub. 72
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thanks for coming along on our adventures. We love sharing this fun hobby together and are having a great time sharing it and hoping to get others out there too! Appreciate the encouragement from you and everyone else in this great ham community! 73, Becky es Mike
@baslev2 күн бұрын
TU FB, TNX 73
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
TU as well! Glad you enjoyed it! 73, Becky es Mike
@Upnorthof482 күн бұрын
Great Idea!
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thanks for the feedback! They are fun and I just need to get more ideas for what to send :-) 73, Becky es Mike
@Upnorthof482 күн бұрын
Way to go! It’s so rewarding to build it yourself, and have success! QRP Labs kits are so addictive, and they work great! Good luck and 72! N0YMA
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you and you're absolutely right about the reward and sense of accomplishment when that first contact came through! I'll have to start looking into what's next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
@KQ3Q2 күн бұрын
Good job! Are planning on getting the amp too?
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Hey Lidi, not as of yet. So far we love just being QRP! Great to catch you on the air yesterday but sorry I couldn't hear you very well. 73, Becky es Mike
@SuburbanDon2 күн бұрын
Good job !
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
Thank you! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@MIKROWAVE12 күн бұрын
Girls can solder? Hee. Good job Becky. If you get bored - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5e1pIh3qqyml6c
@Aimsport-video2 күн бұрын
Count turns thirty times, solder once. lol. Great job.
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you, and that's no joke! I counted and counted and counted and still wasn't sure I knew what I was supposed to count. 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
@wd8dsbКүн бұрын
Hi Becky and Mike, your 40 meter QCX-mini is a great addition to your 20 meter one. I use my cell phone to take a zoomed in picture of my toroid which makes counting the turns easy. 73, Don wd8dsb
@HamRadioDuo11 сағат бұрын
Whoa!! That is a great idea ... then it doesn't move around when you're trying to count 🤣 I will definitely be doing that next time! 73, Becky es Mike
@imahamjim2 күн бұрын
Super job. U got good fist on cw. Gud spacing. So many run the code together makint very hard to copy. Gud luck with the new rig. I do pota also. 73 jim
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you Jim! The more I get on the air the more relaxed I am and that really helps with the sending. My goal is to always send something the other operator can understand or it's just a one-way conversation 🤣 Hope to catch you P2P sometime! 73, Becky es Mike
@rclewen2 күн бұрын
Great job! There is no way that I could build one! I no longer have any of my electronics tools and my hands aren't steady enough anymore! I ordered my QMX prebuilt. N7BBQ
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
Thank. you. We have a QMX pre-built on the way also. Mike built a QCX-mini in the past and had no interest in building another. This is all new for me and very fun so far! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@QRPLabs3 күн бұрын
Great job Becky, nice to see your successful build and you enjoying the radio. 73 GL GD DX de Hans G0UPL
@PhilG0BVDКүн бұрын
You have designed a fine radio Hans. Becky did amazing work. 73 Phil G0BVD
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you so much Hans, and thank you for doing such great work for us CW enthusiasts! I'm debating just what to do next 🤔 73, Becky es Mike
@HamAround233 күн бұрын
Congrats on the build. You've inspired me to order a 20m qcx mini kit and try building one myself. 73
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Yay!!! Glad you're taking on the challenge. It was a tight squeeze because sooo much goes in that little box, but still fun! We love our 20m version as well! Good luck, you got this! 73, Becky es Mike
@WB0RLJ3 күн бұрын
Love this! My QMX just arrived today!
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
Nice! Kit or pre-built? 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@WB0RLJ2 күн бұрын
@@HamRadioDuo Kit. Starting on it tonight. May have it built for the weekend. We'll see. 73!
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Good luck!
@TrygveMedhus3 күн бұрын
Thanks for the video! You guys are great! I have built one of those (Actually, I have built most of Hans's radios. I recomend them all). They are great! The manuals are fantastic and Hans is just a mail away from helping out and QRP-Labs have a great user managed knowlege base online! Tips: When finish soldering, before putting juice on it, take photos of your work with your phone and blow it up on a big screen. Look for solderbridges and bad connections. Great job! 73 de LA6UOA!
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
That is a great tip! Mike's close up vision isn't very good anymore and that is a great way to work around it! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@Obeeewaan3 күн бұрын
nice job.. I built the QCX mini on 20m ... great little portable/pocket sized rig...
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
We love our 20m one, which was pre-built. That is our main portable radio, but until now, we had to bring out one of the bigger onces to do 40m which meant we really weren't often on 40m portable. 20m seems to be a great sweet spot for easier to deploy antennas also. 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@billjobes18513 күн бұрын
Nice work, Becky ! I've built a few of those, and just yesterday completed my second QMX +. That should be your next project -- 160m to 6m in one fantastic all-band radio. Both you and Michael are in my log from a park I activated back in August. Best 72 from W3WJ.
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you and congrats on the QMX! We ordered the pre-built QMX before I decided to take on a project. Thankfully I think it has shipped already! Glad to have you in the logs. We were headed down to FL to drop off a college kid for that hunt. 73, Becky es Mike
@W4EMB3 күн бұрын
amazing!!!
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
Thank you! Do you have any new videos coming soon? 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@KD0RC3 күн бұрын
Very nicely done! Your fist is excellent, especially for only knowing the code for 6 months. 73, Len, KD0RC
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you so much for the compliment! Mike has been super encouraging and helped me just go for it and get on the air. And I love this thought .... You don't get good to get on the air, you get on the air to get good. 73, Becky es Mike
@chuckrann62823 күн бұрын
Yes. Built a “Star Roamer” Shortwave Radio when I was 12, from Allied Radio in Chicago. First station I heard was Radio Switzerland’s music box. Amazing. Now it’s time for another build at 72… 60 years later. This video made my day. Thank you. Congrats Becky. Hope to hear you on 40 meters!
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Wow that must have been an amazing experience at 12! And full circle to tackle another project 60 years later. Just he experience of trying was fun for me! Hope to hear you as well! 73, Becky es Mike
@George_S.G3 күн бұрын
Great job!!! from KC1SXC in Mass.
@HamRadioDuo2 күн бұрын
Thank you! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@EssDave13 күн бұрын
That's very impressive, Becky! I''ve been on the fence about building a busy kit like this but you've inspired me. Thanks a million! Dave
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thanks Dave and that's a main reason we decided to do this video. I wanted to try and at the same time hopefully shows others that are hesitant that it's possible with a little patience and attention to detail. You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
@daycreek3 күн бұрын
Congrats! Job well done! I have a QMX sitting here ready to build. I'll start on it once I get all my fall chores done -- a good winter project.
@HamRadioDuoКүн бұрын
Thank you! It was definitely a fun build and good idea for a winter project! Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike