A quick QRP CW POTA activation with the LNR Precision MTR-4B

I've wanted an LNR Precision Mountain Topper MTR-4B for a while now, and I finally got my hands on one. LNR puts 25 units up for sale each month, on the first of the month, and I was lucky enough to snag one. This was the first time I used the rig aside from listening to a few QSO's and testing it on the RBN. I have heard great things about this radio, so I had high hopes. I wasn't disappointed. It's very simple and easy to use. The audio is great, and my signal reports were great as well (granted, a lot of that has to do with the antenna). This was a quick activation, as weather was going to be rolling in, and 66' of wire in a tree plus thunder and lightning equals a bad time. I had 18 contacts in 19 minutes, with a steady stream of calls. All in all, it was a good first outing for the radio. You'll be seeing a lot more of this rig in the future. Thanks for watching and 73!
Evan
K2EJT
www.buymeacoffee.com/k2ejt
Intro: 0:00:00
Begin activation: 0:04:00
QRT and final thoughts: 0:28:45

[@Swamp-Fox]

I really like that MTR-4B. Can't wait to see it future videos!

[@shadowlab9543]

i literally got mine tonight !!! im fiddling with it while watching your video.

[@EvanK2EJT]

You'll love it. It's an awesome little radio!

[@dannyrhodes13]

Love watching your videos. Keep them up.

[@o2bnov0307]

Great job! Your ability to copy in your head is fantastic. I enjoyed your activation. David AE4LH

[@donz7992]

It is nice to see even experienced ops make occasional mistakes sending and copying. Helps us mere mortals deal with our bobbles!😂 Nice video, Evan!

[@EvanK2EJT]

LOL, I make more than a few mistakes. Thanks for watching Don!

[@dugbohamradio]

Agree with you 100% about the audio. I received my mtr4B today and did some POTA chasing to test out the rig and the first thing I noticed was wow this audio is fantastic. Keep up the great videos!

[@ashtont.griffin5717]

I can also tell you that it is a durable radio. I accidentally ran over mine with my 700 lb power chair a while back. It was bent but still worked. LNR Precision was nice enough to replace the body for me. I love mine. Enjoy.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching Ashton!

[@W4EMB]

Keep them coming Evan. Thanks for sharing!

[@TridentMissileTech]

Got the 3b and 4b both. They are new in that they’ve never been used. I was waiting until I learned cw. Now I know it, I have many more choices. Usually use my QCX

[@EvanK2EJT]

I have a MTR3B as well as the 4B. They're both great radios, but if I'm being honest I prefer the 3B. It's smaller and doesn't seem to be effected by RF from my phone and stuff like the 4B is. Both great radios either way. Thanks for watching!

[@qrplife]

The N0SA paddles require a very light touch! Holding them in your fist like that, it’s way to easy to squeeze and activate the contacts from the sides. Just holding a finger on top of the key easily stabilizes it enough to send with the other hand. That said, I would love a magnetic base option.

[@EvanK2EJT]

The actual problem ended up being a loose center post. I'd used this key dozens of times before it started acting up on this activation. I emailed cwmorse and they told me to check the center contact post....sure enough, it was slightly loose and bouncing. I took the key apart, tightened it up, and now it's good to go. I also just got an actual N0SA key straight from Larry, and that thing is a work of art. Thanks for watching!

[@AE6Z]

Another great video, thanks. Were you getting extra dahs with the N0SA paddle? That was happening to me constantly. I believe Kyle AA0Z said that filing the bottom of the screws/contacts solved his issues.

[@EvanK2EJT]

I took it apart, tightened everything up, put it back together, and it works fine now. I think the center post was moving and contacting the screws. I love the key, and that drove me nuts. Happened on my KX1 and my FTDX10 too, so I knew it wasn't just the radio. Thanks for watching!

[@DaveW6OOD]

Thanks for the video, listening is learning. I caught the MTR available at LNR and almost pulled the trigger. But, I was trying not to “buy any more radios”. Plus I had a QMX on the way. BTW…I’ve recovered from that and may buy one in next month’s window. That QMX arrived and is amazing and has lots of advanced features. (Hans should also make them in Red and/or Blue. )

[@EvanK2EJT]

Yeah, the QMX is on my short list of radios to acquire soon. I'm holding off until the firmware is a little more complete, but it looks like an awesome little radio!

[@ChrisConner1]

I’m enjoying your videos. What inline fuse cable are you using with the Talentcell supply?

[@EvanK2EJT]

That particular cable isn't fused. It probably SHOULD be, but it isn't lol.

[@thuff3207]

I wish I got the MTR 3B before it was gone. The next radios from LNR are just too big for what I need so I will be getting the KH1 to meet my needs. On the CW Morse paddle I keep getting double pulses so I ordered the BaMA Tech to see if this better. I know my Adventurer paddle on my KX2 I never get double pulses.

[@EvanK2EJT]

Word on the street is that LNR may be coming out with a new 3B with 40, 20, and 15. That's not a done deal yet, but if they do I'll definitely snag one. I already have a 40, 30, 20 3B and it's an awesome little radio. As for the key, I took it apart, tightened everything up, trued the ends of the contact screws, and put it back together. Between that, and adding some more magnetic tension, I fixed the bouncing issue, but I shouldn't have had to in the first place. I have an actual N0SA key directly from Larry, and it doesn't do that. Thanks for watching!

[@mainetomass99]

I have the N0SA. Could have been the side pressure by holding it the way you were. I know the random keying well myself ;)

[@EvanK2EJT]

It ended up being a loose center post. I took it apart, tightened everything down, and put it back together. Good to go now. Thanks for watching!

[@rst5nn]

Nice radio, I hunted for version MTR-3B a few years ago. But personally for me 80m band is useless for QRP. I wish it would have 15m or 10m meters bands instead of 80m. Also is size bigger than original mtr-3b and mtr-3b with display, what is also downside for me. Interesting your opinion about 80m band in MTR-3B. I very upset that that discontinued mtr-3b version.

[@EvanK2EJT]

I have an MTR-3B on the way, so I'll compare the two soon. Thanks for watching!

[@KMondy]

I've learned that phones and mtr's don't go hand and hand. Next, you should have gotten a red cheat sheet sticker for basic functions of the radio. Lastly, it's funny that your key was reversed, hmm.

[@shadowlab9543]

where do you get the sticker ?

[@EvanK2EJT]

Yeah, I have the sticker. It's on the radio now. It wasn't when I did this activation. I figured out what was going on with the key. The center post was loose, and was making contact with the dah paddle just from the inertia of me keying. I took it apart, tightened it up, and now it's good to go.

[@EvanK2EJT]

@@shadowlab9543 It should be in the box the radio came in. It's a little reddish brown sticker the same size as the bottom edge of the radio.

[@N4DJC]

I was on the list for a KH-1 but cancelled. The MTB-4B has a solid build quality. The noise level and filtering really impress me. The buttons are a much better idea for a small QRP rig. Hope they have some more come in January.