I have my equipment checklists in Google Docs. This way I can access them everywhere. I have lists for different antennas (some require to bring the tuner, SWR stick, other stuff). Since then I never forgot anything again. Learned it the hard way after not bringing an important adapter once and forgetting my headphones the other activation.
@potababe2 жыл бұрын
As a new ham who wants to POTA activate in the near future, I found this video very helpful. Thanks!
@larrytaylor77532 жыл бұрын
Occasionally I use a portable 50W amplifier (for when QRP just isn’t getting there) from QRP LABS. It requires 20 volts. I use a homemade power station with 5, 12, and 20 volt outputs. To avoid serious damage by applying 20 volts to my 12 v radios, I use Anderson Power Poles configured with the connectors over-under instead of side by side. It is impossible to plug a 12v connector into my 20v supply. There isn’t anything much worse than letting the smoke out of your portable rig when miles from the shack.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
Great idea! I love how Powerpoles are genderless and come in different colors. You can create combinations like that to prevent misconnecting wires.
@hamradiowithkevin2 жыл бұрын
You are so right, Preparation makes operation look easy and it makes the operation an absolute joy. As Portable activator for many years I share your enthusiasm for checking the gear bag often. Pack small in the beginning and the check list stays manageable. Great Video ! thank you for sharing
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
I think we all tend to overpack and should constantly refine our gear choices. I remember reading an article many years ago in Backpacker magazine about an outfitter located about 5 days in on the Appalachian Trail. Their whole purpose was to lighten the load of thru-hikers and were often very successful at shedding 10-20% of your gear weight. That critical look at what you are carrying can make the difference between success and failure.
@hamradiowithkevin2 жыл бұрын
@KB9VBR Antennas that is a fun story. Yes, there is a difference between what we want and what we actually need. 😉 SOTA teaches us to pack better, I am learning that POTA is less about surviving and more about fun. And this means more sharing with others.
@andyrobison97232 жыл бұрын
You mentioned having two antennas, that is great advice unto itself. I carry a linked dipole and hamsticks for redundancy. “Two is one and one is none” as they say. 73, K9ELF
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
You've got it. Not only two antennas, but two styles of antenna. Carrying a pair of wire dipoles won't help you if you don't have suitable structure to get them in the air.
@davidsradioroom96782 жыл бұрын
It also helps to carry a spare antenna cable, too. My first POTA activation was a bust because I did not have another cable to replace the bad one that I bought with me.
@mikeh45242 жыл бұрын
I always hook up my station on the tailgate of my truck before I leave my home base. I then turn it on, tune around to hear some voices and hit the PTT once. This way I always know I’ll have a working station at the very least. It eliminates the possibility of leaving a battery, connector or a feed line that leaves me dead in the water. -KE0VIM
@randalltom97502 жыл бұрын
Great video! Two additional knots to use are the truckers hitch, and the prussic knot… the former for guys, the latter for strain relief, e.g. antenna to radio… thanks for the tips!
@ClayExtrudingExpert9 ай бұрын
You are a treasure for new hams like me, MM. Just got my copy of the POTA book!
@ChrisCookTech2 жыл бұрын
Always a good idea to bring some form of shelter as well, either a pop-up tent or a simple 9x9 tarp. Those pesky rain clouds that show up outta nowhere can certainly damage some equipment if you aren't prepared.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
Some sheets of plastic or even a garbage bag works great for a quick rain cover for those sudden downpours.
@RadioK4RLC Жыл бұрын
I have an emergency bivouac that it lightweight & strong from a company aptly named "Don't die in the Woods !"
@kd5you12 жыл бұрын
One thing I can think of is a spare parts bag or box that contains extra rf connectors/adapters, zip ties, fuses, soldering iron with solder, etc. During the last field day we set up an AS-2259/gr antenna in a nearby field on Friday evening for the GOTA station, and everything was fine. The next morning we tested everything again and found the antenna impossible to tune. After checking the antenna with an antenna analyzer at various points along the coax we discovered that the barrel connector between two lengths of coax was bad. Luckily we had a spare. 73 KD5YOU
@n5pa2 жыл бұрын
Good and useful video on preparing for a POTA Activation Michael! Keep up the good work!
@genebodenberger2 жыл бұрын
For tying off the end of an antenna (or anything else for that matter) I use the trucker's hitch. Easy tie and easier untie.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
The truckers hitch is a great knot as it holds fast and allows you to put a lot of tension on a line. In some instances, a tautline can loosen up, but the truckers hitch won't.
@palmerstation99 Жыл бұрын
Thank you Michael. Greatly appreciate your dedication and you sharing your knowledge. God bless. 73. KZ1J
@scottcottle43252 жыл бұрын
I love the girth hitch. It's almost not a knot! I many times have folding chairs and square card table in the suv just in case.
@GuyReynolds-rb6rmАй бұрын
I really enjoy your videos, there very helpful and informative
@F4WBU2 ай бұрын
Thank you very much and 73!
@F4WBU2 ай бұрын
Thank you very much 73!
@antonanker5832 жыл бұрын
Attaching, and packing away, radials to a vertical antenna can be time consuming. Your WRC antenna, among others have “O” rings attached to each radial and these rings be put on the support legs while screwing them into the mount. I bought two additional 3/8 x 24 fine nuts and mounted them on a leg with an “O” ring between them. I soldered a pig tail with three ends to the “O” ring and attached Anderson power poles on the other three. Attached power poles to the end of each radial wire. It’s a simple matter to attach and detach the radials now.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
What a great idea.
@davidsradioroom96782 жыл бұрын
I bought wire winders to wrap my radials on. Works for me.
@thuff32072 жыл бұрын
Thank you and these are great tips to help us all on parks on the air.
@owlcricker-k7ulm2 жыл бұрын
Amen on the knots bro! Buddies in hunting camp have given up on my harping and let me tie all the knots because when we tear down camp they untie their knots with a knife! Sheesh.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
Ain't that the truth
@Skipper-Marcusde3 ай бұрын
Another hack: When I go out with my radio I wear a second watch (Casio G-Shock) with UTC time. Logging the contacts is sometimes challenging enough for a beginner like me and I don't want to calculate. If I don't habe the watch with me I log in localtime and calculate the UTC at home.
@davidsradioroom96782 жыл бұрын
Ten very good suggestions. Thanks.
@d3jake2 жыл бұрын
My Tip is to make your own Signal Report reference card. You can add space to leave a reminder of the Park name, Park number, grid, County, etc. I use paper logs, so not needing to rewrite some specifics is great. The card is a small notecard, and I can print it off from my home printer. I can send you a picture if you like. I suspect YT and Patreon will scrub unsolicited URLs.
@patricksharimccarthy94952 жыл бұрын
I’d like to see this if possible! De K2SCH
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
I find a visual reminder essential. I'll write the park number, callsign (for club activities), or other information on a 3x5 card. Feel free to post the link, if it goes to the spam folder, I'll approve it.
@davidsradioroom96782 жыл бұрын
Parks on the Air has a log sheet that you can use. Just fill out the top before you leave.
@d3jake2 жыл бұрын
@@patricksharimccarthy9495 Check out KE0RIY's QRZ page. The link I posted vanished..
@d3jake2 жыл бұрын
@@KB9VBRAntennas Check out KE0RIY's QRZ page. The link I posted vanished..I dunno if it hit the spam folder or not.
@LiquidCheney2 жыл бұрын
As a salior and a ham, you picked the exact same knots I would have.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
We teach those knots to new Scouts. I figure if a 10 year old can learn them, so can a ham.
@richlovin21732 жыл бұрын
Switching entirely to Anderson Power poles was a great way to speed up setup and take down, It also greatly reduces the frustration factor.
@barrykery11752 жыл бұрын
I like the knot. Pretty simple and very useful. Power Poles......every radio that I own that is low voltage has been changed to power poles. They are great. Good video, very informative. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X/QRP
@Rolfunther2 жыл бұрын
Love the tape tip.
@mewrongway2 жыл бұрын
Awesome video Michael!! 👍
@gaptastic2 жыл бұрын
Excellent video, thank you, Mike!
@Davidjb377212 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@ky4tgtodd2032 жыл бұрын
another fantastick video!! thank you for all you do!
@jefft25532 жыл бұрын
Good information. Thanks
@Uncle-PAIN6 ай бұрын
At the beginning of this video, you said that you are on a mission to inspire and educate the amateur radio community. Your KZbin channel is one of the three KZbin channels that inspired and motivated me to get licensed - KK7MHO. You are an asset to the amateur radio hobby. We are eager for more great entertaining and informative videos.
@KB9VBRAntennas6 ай бұрын
that's awesome! I'm glad the content was helpful in your amateur radio journey.
@WilliamParmley2 жыл бұрын
Great stuff!
@gregorysmith30972 жыл бұрын
For batteries, if you have more than 1 battery, label them. You don't want to grab the one that you just depleted when you thought you were getting the fully charged one.
@gregbreitz9722 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the quick response to my email. Keep doing what you do!! 73, KD2RLB
@RadioK4RLC Жыл бұрын
Michael - another vy useful video with hacks. Any chance your Check List is available? TIA
@sudmuf92322 жыл бұрын
Hi, I find your videos interesting, entertaining, and educational. I would like to see a video that compares and contrasts the Chameleon Antenna hybrid, micro hybrid, and mini hybrid.
@frankwc0o2 жыл бұрын
I've noticed for the first time you are wearing that vest you got from a "surprise" box from ARRL. Must be getting cold there.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
Yep, it's my 'surprise box' vest. With the weather getting colder, I thought it would be good to get it out again.
@Mandarin1106312 ай бұрын
KK7SWB-thank you for these tips Michael!
@donaldsmith30482 жыл бұрын
I like the Truckers knot for guide ropes. It let's me put some pull on them, and I can adjust them when needed.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
The beauty of the truckers hitch is that it creates leverage so you cinch it very tight. It also won't work its way loose.
@donaldsmith30482 жыл бұрын
@@KB9VBRAntennas I like it for that, plus when I put up a pole for the end of a wire. Then when the wire is put up the Trucers knot can be easily adjusted. Just make sure when making it you. You must leave room for adjustment. 550 cord does give some so that needs to be allowed for.
@Jase_husky2 жыл бұрын
Normally I have my truck along with that has all my camping gear but the one thing I tend to do is my radio I take into the field has a recording function. When I start my activation it records all RX and TX and puts a timestamp on them along with frequency for the file. That way if I think I wrote down a call wrong I can aways go back to the recording on my radio.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
The recording feature is so useful. I don't know how many times I've gone back to the recording to fix a busted call in the log.
@davewhite76792 жыл бұрын
Somehow I've missed that. Which radios have that QSO audio recording feature? KZ9V
@AirsDream2 жыл бұрын
@@davewhite7679 iCom 705 for one! K8RHH
@larryjanson40112 жыл бұрын
as to water. at the grocery store. buy the one gallon store brand water as it is the lowest price. keep the jugs and refill. great way to have plenty of water at hand one gallon+ per person per day). and with a couple of them (full) they can be used as dead weight for holding things down. do not forget quality snacks... aka not candy.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
I hate the waste that store bought water bottles create, that's why I try to use my own. Reusing gallon jugs is a good idea.
@patring6202 жыл бұрын
What kind a knot does one use for their ponytail?
@edschroer6132 жыл бұрын
That vest maybe from the secret 📦
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
It's getting colder up here, so it's time to break the vest out again.
@Thomas-rl8kw Жыл бұрын
Lately I've been hearing 2nd operator. What's that all about?
@jeffwelsh11852 жыл бұрын
Great video on your pota hacks. Very informative and great content as usual. My question is, I have never been involved in pota or SOTA. Where do I find the information to get started in either? Such as the park or summit numbers, maps ,etc.. I enjoy portable operating and could incorporate pota and SOTA in my camping and 4 wheeling trips as you have incorporated your camping trips into pota trips. Any information or a point in the right direction to find this information would be a great help and greatly appreciated. As always, great video, and great content. Thanks for the videos, I have learned a lot from them. 73 KI5HGT
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
For POTA, go to parksontheair.com. There you will find information and tutorials to get started. As for the park numbers and activators currently on the air, go to the spotting page at pota.app.
@Frisky05632 жыл бұрын
Very nice video some great tips to get organized with equipment.
@radioman32298 ай бұрын
Thanks for all your great videos... I started doing POTA because of them... I now have 28 activations and got my first kilo recently. I have a question for you sir, I run a Icom 7300, my friend like you uses the ft 891, he says for his radio he needs a 12vdc to 13.8 dc converter... is this necessary for the Icom 7300, i have done like i said 28 activations without one, so I wondering will this effect my radio?? NS9T ty.
@KB9VBRAntennas8 ай бұрын
The advantage of a DC-DC converter is that it delivers a constant voltage to your transceiver as the battery is depleted. The down side is that your current draw will be reduced, so you need a battery appropriately sized to cover that drop. I don't use a DC-DC converter as the FT-891 will operated over a wide range of voltages (13.8v +/- 15%). But ideally the closer you stay to 13.8 volts, the better the radio will be able to provide it's rated transmit power. As for the IC-7300. I believe it has similar specs and you should be able to run it just fine from a LiFePO4 battery without the need of the DC-DC converter.
@radioman32298 ай бұрын
thanks@@KB9VBRAntennas
@ki4clz Жыл бұрын
Do you do any AM operating on the different AM windows?
@GH0ST369 Жыл бұрын
After 40 we start to lose our thirst reflex by the time you are 60 it is noticeable.
@turtlecreek46332 жыл бұрын
73!
@thelandrethfarm47822 жыл бұрын
Thanks Michael, lots of good info! K7DFL
@frankwc0o2 жыл бұрын
What’s that bag for ur battery? Look slim.
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
In my box of old computer parts I had a padded case for an Iomega Zip drive. (remember those from the '90s?) It fit the battery perfectly. Insulated lunch bags also work well for battery transport.
@frankwc0o2 жыл бұрын
@@KB9VBRAntennas I remember. It makes sense now, with the longer pockets. And I saw the video again, I see the big "I". Well at least the case survived!
@stacywallett2 жыл бұрын
Hey Michael, what logging software do you like to use?
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
For the most party I've been using Hamrs on my inexpensive Windows notebook.
@WN8HGZ2 жыл бұрын
What do u use for logging software de wb8idy Swansboro nc
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
I've been using Hamrs on an inexpensive Windows 10 PC.
@RandellReeder2 жыл бұрын
What type of coax and length do you use?
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
I carry RG-8X in various lengths, notably 2 25 foot pieces and one 50 foot piece.
@Scott_AI5EF2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for these tips. I pack a n Ozark 7 person tepee. It's nice for rain cover and plenty of room, in case i decide to stay overnight. Easy to setup and take down. N5ABI
@dwallich562 жыл бұрын
What is the address for getting to the POTA SLACK page, please?
@KB9VBRAntennas2 жыл бұрын
parksontheair.slack.com/ will get you there.
@jerry-suhrstedt Жыл бұрын
Bro, Slack is not a page. It’s not a web page. It’s a messaging app. 😂😂
@KB9VBRAntennas Жыл бұрын
But you still knew what I meant, so all it good.
@demorestautosport2 жыл бұрын
Great video! I look forward to my first POTA activation here soon! - KE8QPI