Becky POTA Activation with QRP and CW!!! | Seattle Washington

Super fun Coastal POTA Activation in the Pacific Northwest. We activate a small park on the beautiful shore of Puget Sound Washington near Seattle. We stood for the whole activation due to the location, struggled at times to hear, but appreciate everyone that just kept trying! Also, catch a glimpse as to how, on occasion, we get to share about CW and Ham Radio with curious onlookers.
📍 WHERE ARE WE:
Dash Point State Park, WA
parks.wa.gov/f...
maps.app.goo.g...
POTA Information : US-3179
pota.app/#/par...
⚙️ OUR FAVORITE TOOLS & GEAR :
RIG : QCX mini: qrp-labs.com/q...
Power : 5 Watts
Becky’s Key : K6ARK 3D printed paddle
• K6ARK 3D Printed Paddl...
INIU Power Bank USB-C PD Capable : amzn.to/3TYwVXF
12V USB-C PD to Barrel Plug Trigger Cable : amzn.to/3TYwCvZ
Aluminum Ground Spike Mast Holder : amzn.to/4gUF6Op
Silicone Cable Ties : amzn.to/3Nkz4sX
Cheap Sony Headphones : amzn.to/3ZXFgPd
Naturehike FT07 Ultralight Camping Table, 1.6 LBS Portable : amzn.to/3ZXQNOb
Kelty Low Loveseat Double 2 Person Camping Chair : amzn.to/4dFImul
Alvantor Screen House Gazebo, 6-10-15 Person Pop Up Igloo Screened Canopy Tent with Mosquito Netting Sides : amzn.to/4eYx31e
DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Vlogging Camera : amzn.to/3Y2wJaO
1 ft Micro USB to USB-C Cable for VBand Adapter : amzn.to/4eXmHi2
EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA 3 Plus (2024 New), Solar Generator 1024Wh : amzn.to/4830NHW
BD7iBi stainless steel whip antenna for $15-20 on AliExpress
www.aliexpress...
Polo by Ham2k
polo.ham2k.com/
✔️SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNELS:
Ham Radio Duo
/ @hamradioduo
Home is Where Your Honey Is - RV Camping adventures
/ @homeiswhereyourhoneyis
🌍 Our Website
www.hamradiodu...
✔️OTHER KZbin CHANNELS / CW FRIENDS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT
W4EMB Ed es AA4SB Shantel
/ @w4emb
KQ3Q : Lidi
/ @kq3q
KI7QCF : Forrest
/ @utahforrest
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• Becky Activates Hamfes...
Huntsville Hamfest 2024 for CW Ham Radio OPs | Clubs, Keys, and More!
• Huntsville Hamfest 202...
$3 dollar paddle | Our favorite POTA/SOTA CW 3D paddle by Adam - K6ARK | build by Becky
• $3 dollar paddle | Our...
Becky’s new CW Paddle and EFHW: Will they POTA? QRP? N4BKY & N4FFF
• Becky’s new CW Paddle ...
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❓WHO ARE WE?
We're Michael & Becky, also known as N4FFF and N4BKY. We're an adventure couple who also loves CW (morse code) and radio stuff. We are both trying to get better at CW so having two of us there trying to copy really helps us figure most of it out! We love adventures and this is another way for us to get out there and have fun together.
If you catch one of us on the air most likely we are both at the ready. We like to hunt POTA's and each make contact so don't be surprised if you hear from us both.
Please email us or leave a comment if you watch along and make contact with us someday. We'd love to hear from you!
73,
Michael and Becky
N4FFF / N4BKY
🎵 Epidemic Sound - Music & SFX in our videos - share.epidemic...
📌DISCLAIMER:
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of these links in this description are affiliate links. We'll earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase using the link.
#hamradio #qrp #pota #morsecode #cw #qrz #sota #rv #rvlife #adventure #camping #travel #travelcouple #wa #beach #licw #skcc #pnw #seattle #washington

[@HamRadioDuo]

How far are your normal contacts? Our sweet spot is normally about 500 miles!

[@Swamp-Fox]

Enjoyed the activation! Great to see you work Ed & Shantel! 73, Patrick KF4LMZ

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thanks so much! Was our highlight of the activation for sure to get them back to back! 73, Becky and Mike

[@prburley]

Listened on the commute, very relaxing

[@HamRadioDuo]

Listening in the car is a great way to practice. We do the same and sometimes one of us grabs a key sends in practice mode while the other tries to head copy. To clarify, the passenger sends. HiHi 73, Becky and Mike

[@stevekj5t]

I love to listen to activation videos when doing chores or winding down for the day. I definitely agree many are relaxing.

[@hazer72]

lol Shantel and Ed sighting for bonus points!

[@HamRadioDuo]

That was my first contact with Shantel and the back to back was fun for sure! 73, Becky and Mike

[@W4EMB]

Awesome!! Thank you for the shout out and kind words! you guys are the best! DE W4EMB

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thanks to you guys, we are having a blast! Was so fun to hear your signals come in :-) 73, Becky and Mike

[@n4jaw]

You can always count on Shantell and Ed to come through no matter where you are in the U.S. Great video. Hope you two enjoy your stay in the Pacific northwest. 73 Jim N4JAW "Ham on a Bike"

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thank you! We had a great time in the PNW and can't wait to go back! Ed and Shantel are great and we have so much fun trying to hunt each other because it doesn't happen often since they are a little close for us. 73, Becky and Mike

[@n4jaw]

@@HamRadioDuo I have the same issue with them, too. Luckily, I was able to help Shantel this week in her pursuit of WAS POTA hunter Award by working her on 30 meters.

[@TravelinHam]

Nice work! You guys are killing it with the KZbin content!

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thanks Mike! Glad you’re joining us. We are having a blast sharing! 73, Becky es Mike

[@brianfields4479]

Ham radio will take you far, cw will take you around the world, well done folks, 73 zl3xdj.

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thank you! We love making far away contacts and will hopefully get New Zealand sometime 😊 73, Becky es Mike

[@brianve7jyd943]

yes that was me - you'd be surprised how many folks from the states get flustered with the VE lol thanks for sharing 73

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thanks for hunting us! As we get better with CW we are getting the non US state calls better too! Thankfully we help each other catch stuff and confirm what we hear! 73, Becky es Mike

[@nards656]

I watch these, and I wonder if you guys really realize what kind of different stratosphere you are actually in? I realize that what you do is available to absolutely anybody that pursues it, but it still requires a lot of time, interest, and people around you who support you at least in principle. It's awesome to watch and I appreciate you sharing the adventures. The odds of me ever doing this are rather low - the hobby seems to be changing a lot, and in some ways not for the best. I'm getting back into it after letting my Technician expire 10 years ago, and it's so different with all the digital stuff. There are more people involved, it seems, but not sure if it's as much about friendships as it used to be. I was on the air more in the mid 90s, and it's definitely a lot different than then. Your channel is awesome.

[@HamRadioDuo]

We're definitely aware of how rare it is to be able to share the hobby. We definitely don't take that for granted and are thankful for all the time. Regarding CW and Morse code in general, one of the things that keeps us going and got us hooked is how awesome the community and people are. People tend to reach out after even small contacts. I think the fact that it's not easy and we share a common journey gives us a lot of in common just to start with. If that's part of the spirit of what you are missing, you may end up finding it if you dig in with CW. We've also found that the community around CW is very supportive and loves to welcome new people in. 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY

[@TridentMissileTech]

Love the QCX and QMX. Got all the popular radios but use QMX 99.9 percent of the time. Just to easy. Got the KH1 and used it once. Went back to my QMX. Awesome video.

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thank you! We absolutely love the QCX and have a QMX on order and can't wait to try it out. Low power just adds to the fun!! 73, Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF

[@Utahforrest]

You’re rocking the apparel and everything! Fun fact the only time I ever activated outside of Utah was at Hamvention and I grabbed a Caeser Creek State Park sweater! But my wife claimed it as soon as I got home. Great activation in a beautiful spot!

[@HamRadioDuo]

HiHi ! Next time buy two!! 73, Becky and Mike

[@N4AAJ]

Great activation! Very cool that you got Ed and Shentel. Ive got alerts for you guys (and Ed and Shentel) but we're too close for 20m. Maybe ill be able to hunt you while in WA! Thanks for sharing. 73

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thank you Scott. It's funny how you have to go further away to get those that live close :-) 73, Becky and Mike

[@N4AAJ]

@HamRadioDuo if you're not familiar with it, have a look at NVIS propagation when you get a chance. Really enjoy following you guys. 73 es cul on the air!

[@HamRadioDuo]

​​@@N4AAJwe are! We actually set up our efhw for nvis and I was able to contact Ed once that way. We don't have it permanently set up though. Probably should HIHI

[@infantrywife502]

Woohoo!!!! I’m #1!!!! 😂 Thanks again for the contact. 😉

[@HamRadioDuo]

I was doing just fine until I realized it was you. I swallowed my key and forgot what to do!! HiHi. So fun! 73, Becky and Mike

[@infantrywife502]

@@HamRadioDuo You did excellent!! I was going to send your name but I was worried I would butcher it so I stuck to the Ol’ plain Jane protocol 😂 then Ed sent your name and I felt less than, especially because it was a YL to YL contact. Next time, it’ll be too easy for both of us and neither will be nervous. 😉

[@KQ3Q]

Very nice park! I have gotten France and a couple of European countries during my 5W activations….but I mostly get Texas!!! ❤

[@HamRadioDuo]

Hey Lidi, nice contacts. TX, PA, NY, NJ and FL are on the top of our contact lists. 73, Becky and Mike

[@robwoodwe5495]

You brought that spike as a carry-on ?! LOL... Fun to watch !!

[@HamRadioDuo]

HiHi ... we actually put it in a checked bag along with a note : "Dear TSA, we are Ham Radio nerds and have some weird stuff packed in here which is just our equipment." 73, Becky and Mike

[@nards656]

You guys don't seem nerdy at all. ​@@HamRadioDuo

[@hazer72]

Did Becky just get lucky with that call sign or did she change her name to match? 🤣

[@HamRadioDuo]

That's a great comment and I might just use it sometime. But, I just got lucky ..... but, how many guys do you think want BKY at the end of their vanity sign? HiHi 73, Becky

[@Steven-u5w]

Wow! Thank you for filming you activation porter activation it's surprising what you can do on the beach with a vertical and the wire ground plane pointed towards the sea. I'll get it in the water if you can. The ground plane if it's possible. Qrp, yes it's wonderful you can work all over with qrp. I I like sota I've never done porter how to use aircraft kx3 with buddy pole and the small lead acid battery but I must maybe get one of these lipo batteries. Much lighter I'd love to get back into a qrp again all of the symphonies from G0hda. Steve near scarborough

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thanks for the comment! We love doing QRP. Do you think it might be helpful to do a video about the type of battery setup we use or do you think there are already plenty out there about Lipo's? 73, Becky and Mike

[@PhilG0BVD]

Another excellent video, stunning location. I did my Morse code training with the ones hunting you 🙂did you put in the music on the video or was there someone close by? Was a little off putting. May I ask a couple of questions, Becky was the speed around 12/15 wpm sending? and what is the CW pitch setting on the radio 600Hz? sounds really nice. 73 Phil G0BVD

[@HamRadioDuo]

Thank you, Phil. When using a paddle I usually send at 15 wpm for activations, maybe up to 17. On the straight key I'm not positive, but probably around 15 as well. Our pitch setting is set at 550 and the lower tone seems to cut through the noise for us a little better. Also, we did play around with inserting some background music in the begging and end, but if something as going on during the activation, it was definitely not us :-) Thanks for the feedback! 73, Becky and Mike

[@N6RUN]

Texting before texting 😅😅😅

[@HamRadioDuo]

HI HI We're always looking for ways to try to explain it. That seems like a pretty good way. Thanks for watching and looking forward to getting you in the logs again 73 Mike N4FFF es N4BKY