Amazing QRP POTA fun with my $120 TEN-TEC R4020!

[@andyrudolph84]

Andy KY4DF here. You were my first ever CW contact in this video! I've been watching for a while as CW POTA training. Since this video was recorded I have gone on to do three CW POTA activations. Your videos have been a great help; I still enjoy watching them and continue to use them as practice copying. Thanks so much.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh wow, Andy! This makes my day! Excellent work on your CW and I'm so happy to have you in the logs. Thank you for sharing your comment.

[@herbertabegg]

Great little cw radio I would love too have it. 73s N0QIC HERB

[@hotshotbfcms]

Tom, I was watching your video and enjoying seeing someone use the little Ten Tec 4020. I have a 4020 that the main encoder dial is broken. One day, I'll try to open it up and see if I can repair it. But the real point of my message is while I was watching the video, low and behold, you worked me. LOL Out of the clear blue, I never expected that. Thanks for your videos, I enjoy watching them. I love POTA. POTA has given me a renewed interest in ham radio and it's great. Blessings, Rob - WJ5K in Tupelo, MS 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I love this! Wonderful serendipity there! The R4020 is a gem of a radio.

[@DaveW6OOD]

I love when I can see your log. I try to copy along with you and only look when the call is complete. That's great practical training. The better I do, the closer I get to activation capable. Not far from it now. Thanks for these videos, Thomas, W6OOD

[@mssippijim]

Jump on it. Run fairly low power and set your speed to a speed that you can comfortably copy. Most folks won't hit you with 25 wpm if you are sending 10. If they do just send "QRS Pls".

[@mssippijim]

I believe I have the 40 meter version of that branded with MFJ, or it's a twin. It is a very good little radio. I sure miss Ten-Tec. It's good to see the logo on something even if they didn't actually make it. I would love to see them back someday, but it probably won't happen. I have a Century 21 that I need to attempt to fix the vfo dial drive on.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I, too, loved TEN-TEC!

[@KN4OKadventures]

Thanks for the great video Thomas, I sure hate that I sold my R4020 :(

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You may find another at a local hamfest or in the classifieds. I do see them from time to time.

[@joeblow8593]

I have that exact same radio as well as the HB1B with 80, 40, 30 and 20 meters.

[@mindfulmunchkin1215]

Gr8 content 😀 love watching and trying to copy along, hope to be on the air someday without making a total hash of it haha

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Make a hash of it! There's no such thing as poor code from a CW newcomer who's hopped on the air!

[@marknicholson2263]

I really like the fact that you keep a hand written log. I like to go along with you and look up the contacts with you as you go 73s Mark KB2MSN/4

[@ke4est]

I have been actively watching for you to active. Seen you on a couple times but so far can't hear you. Guess I am too close out here in Murphy NC. Maybe one day!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Indeed you are. Murphy is probably only possible if I'm operating late in the evening, especially on 80M. When I travel out of state, I bet I can hit you, though. I'll be doing lots of POTA in/around WV, OH, and IN during Hamvention this year.

[@Relayer1974]

Time to brew some coffee and enjoy some Thomas

[@douglassharafanowich8605]

Hi Thomas: I got to use my MC-750 2 weeks ago for the first time. What a lovely design. - Worked multiple SSB stations in central Europe, on 20m with 50 watts from my backyard in CT. Common Mode Chokes: For this application, I was under the impression that the common mode choke is best placed at the Antenna. Your thoughts? Thank you.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Greta question. I've placed it at both the antenna (yesterday, by accident, in fact) and also at the radio side. I'm honestly not sure where the best placement is. Some antenna manufacturers suggest keeping the CMC at the radio side, so that is what I tend to do.

[@kristhompson8112]

Luv the micro paddle Thomas , everything just keeps getting smaller , Looking at FX-4C SDR vids currently , Looks like I will have to up the strength on my reading glasses as well LoL Regards and 73's frm NZ .

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes! That FX-4C display is wee, but I understand it's quite crisp!

[@JonathanAdami]

What's that flat paddle you're using? Is it capacitive? First time I see that. Pretty cool video, thanks for making it!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's the VK3IL pressure paddle. A brilliant little project.

[@tedcowan8186]

Thomas, thank you for absolutely wonderful videos. You have inspired me to become an activator. I notice that on the 5-6 videos of yours I have watched, you hear and send but do not log RST. I now that RST is not required, but how do handle QSL card requests?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, Ted, and thanks for the kind comments. That's a great question: I don't actually receive a lot of QSL cards for POTA contacts (I suppose because they're confirmed via the POTA stats?) but I can cheat and check the time of the contact and go to the video in my archive to confirm if an accurate RST is needed. But this is because I have videos for almost all of my activations. Else I give 599. On two occasions I've specifically been asked for an accurate RST because the other op was running a new antenna or very low power.

[@robertallbright]

Thanks Thomas 73 Rob G3RCE

[@laszlokovacs8827]

Do you have the tripod for the chelegance? Looking for feedback on it or a similar portable tripod solution.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

No I don't. I've simply been using the ground spike.

[@ve2zdx]

I’m curious about the swr graph of this antenna. When it’s resonant on a band is it resonant through most of the band or just a few kHz? How long are the counterpoises that come with it ? I’ve been thinking of getting a new vertical antenna, maybe this is the right one. 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'll try to check it on the RigExpert sometime soon. I'll make a note! Thank you for the suggestion.

[@ke4asc]

Question, what antenna would you recommend for a 1 watt QRP kit? Just thought I'd ask. Thanks.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ideally, a nice resonant antenna like a dipole or End-Fed Half-Wave. Depends on the topography, location, and activity, of course.

[@cliffboltz1668]

WD4OBP When you get toward the back pages of your log flip it over and start from the back.

[@cmw69krinkle1]

Thanks for working all the GA hunters 🙂-KQ4DAP

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Another great activation, the only bummer is I wasn't in there and my buddy Pete wasn't either. I think we both listened but cud not hr U. ? in any event thanks for sharing and we'll CUDTL OM! 73 de Ellis WA1RKS

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Next time, OM! :) Thank you for trying.