POTA & Air Show? Buddistick Pro, ICOM IC-705 QRP Amateur Radio Activation

I activated park K-7377 with my ICOM IC-705 and Buddistick Pro. It turns out during my activation there was an amazing air show underway. Asside from some jet enginer QRM it was an amazing activation!
Support Ham Radio Crash Course Content
Patreon - / hoshnasi (includes monthly newsletter, stickers and Patron perks)
KZbin - / hamradiocrashcourse (includes early access to videos, membership YT badge and custom emojis)
Shop HamTactical: www.hamtactical...
Shop Our Affiliates: hamradiocrashco...
Shop Our Amazon Store: www.amazon.com...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Current Shack Config (includes affiliate links)
ICOM 7300: amzn.to/2PKBpmZ
SteppIR 3E Yagi: consumer.stepp...
ICOM 2730a: amzn.to/2JqrASg​
MFJ-4230DMP: mfjenterprises...
Connect with Ham Radio Crash Course
Website...................► hamradiocrashco...
KZbin..................► / hamradiocrashcourse
Twitch......................► / hamradiocrashcourse
Podcast...................► hamradiocrashc...
Discord....................► / discord
Facebook................► goo.gl/cv5rEQ
Twitter......................► / hoshnasi
Instagram.................► / hoshnasi
Physical Mail.............►Josh Nass P.O Box 5101 Cerritos, CA 90703-5101
Music by Sonic D:
Soundcloud.com/sncd
Twitter.com/sncd
Facebook.com/djsonicd
#HRCC #hamradio #amateurradio

[@K7TDM_Tyler]

I always love hearing other hams explain the hobby. I get asked all the time what all my antennas are for and I never really know how to explain it. My wife tells her friends “He puts big antennas outside and talks to Japan”. That always makes me laugh.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

🤣 sounds like what my wife says

[@bradskis81]

Mine says “ he has long antennas outside and talks to old guys who complain about their health issues”.

[@NathanMazanec]

I am commenting as I watch. I like how you put it to explain POTA. "It's a little game we play". That helps describe it well to non-hams

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@NickLeone239]

its like pokemon go, but more expensive equipment.

[@DrivinwithJoe]

By far one of the most exciting POTA activation videos I’ve seen. Thank you for the video.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Wow, thank you!

[@Sonicgott]

I love the genuine curiosity of people about setting up radios. ❤

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

Cool video! Good thing you saw the airshow when you did, as it got cancelled after the oil spill. Hopefully after that insulin pump debacle, somebody doesn't accuse your radio of making a pipeline leak!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I heard it was cancelled! Big bummer!

[@NathanMazanec]

Love the prerequisite explanation of ham radio to people passing by, getting people in the know! Maybe you will get one more subscriber!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I was really impressed when one of the persons I was talking with said “oh like ham radio?” Very cool.

[@alphamike2839]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Next they say thought ham radio died years ago. LOL

[@JReed305]

Cool. I helped paint that bridge at the preserve as part of an Eagle project for one of the guys in my Troop back in the early 90's

[@JamesLangille-r5o]

I think I enjoyed that video as much as you did recording it. That was fun. Thanks

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Glad to hear it!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Great vid and activation Josh. I miss Bolsa Chica and the HB air show. We lived in Huntington Beach for a couple years. What a great area!

[@fakeworld6822]

I watched a handful of you videos but still wasn’t sure what it would actually be like until now. Looks super fun to me!

[@don_n5skt]

That was a great video Josh. Very exciting. Beautiful spot in and of itself but the Air Show made it that much better.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was very surprising and great to experience live.

[@Mottersmotters]

Great video Josh. Using my dream radio too Great pota video Motters M7TRS 🇬🇧 73

[@johnk23705]

I have found the buddistick to be one of the best compromised antennas you can use. Using one radial will give you a stronger lobe in one direction, but you will lose some contacts in the other directions. If looking to get more contacts from one direction, the single radial is the way to go. If you want to get good signals in all directions (because of having an even pattern), add a second elevated radial on the other side, 180 degrees. If you are looking for maximum DX distance, putting four radials in a cross pattern will lower your radiation angle. Example, on a 17 meter set up, four elevated radials will lower the take off angle from 25 degrees to 20 degrees. Adding more than four elevated radials will make little difference. The extra radials give very little extra gain, but they do affect the pattern and take off angle. Buying one or two (for horizontal dipole set up) 17' extendable antennas will allow you to have a full size antenna from 20 meters to 10 meters with no coil or heavy poles in line. It will also help to make tuning easier on 40 meters and offer a an advantage in signal strength. Buddipole also offers their "Triple Ratio Switch Balun". This allows you to get much closer to a 50 ohm match for your transceiver, allowing more power output. This can be quite a bit of extra power at the antenna, especially on 40 meters. I use one all the time, it's a great addition and can be used with other antennas also. These types of antennas tend to go much lower in ohms the lower you get in frequency and the switch can make a big difference. It also has a 1 to 1 balun built in for feedline isolation. It's a worthwhile addition to the buddipole kit. Hope this helps. Reply

[@Jon_Pearl]

Great video, and thanks for capturing some of the sights and sounds of FREEDOM! 73, de W4ABC...

[@ipklondonuk]

wow that's a POTA with a difference, firstly we don't have parks like that in the London area and secondly, how cool is tat to have an airshow going on at the same time, I made a Buddistick video for Amateurlogic last year and know how well they perform, but I was just in a wooded park, nothing like your one there, good video, stay safe

[@LEXPIX]

Nice HAM and Airshow. Nice combo.

[@stevegriffin9552]

Hey Josh cool video and thank you for showing a little bit of the airshow to that was awesome. Congratulations on activating the park and you said you wouldn’t make any contacts I think you did a fantastic job. I love hunting for a POTA, Since I’m retired now I’m just gonna have to get on the radio as much as I can when I can and see who I can hear. It would be great to make contact with you and a few other KZbin ham operators I think that would be a lot of fun. I’m glad you had a great time so take care and stay safe. And hello from the Texas Hill country. WD5ENH Steve

[@Allofthemonkeys]

The Airshow reminds me of one time when I lived a few miles from where an airshow was happening. I got Apache helicopters and Blue Angels blasting as eye level to my 6th floor apartment.

[@Paddy_Roche]

Great activation that turned out to be Josh, I loved it. Still waiting for the Boat to arrive with the Buddistick’s on it here in the U.K. I must comment on the Park! What a beautiful place that was, America looks like such a fantastic place going by the videos you guys post doing POTA.

[@janiceemery2008]

Love it Josh, you make me want to be on the radio so bad. Thank you for sharing. Love the jets.

[@Brighamdoc]

Nice work Josh Just got the same antenna Good to see how well it worked

[@stahpit1971]

Great video! I have not been able to get a California station in my POTA log from Florida maybe some day.

[@malverninuk]

Amazing ! Great POTA !

[@josephgomes8543]

That was really cool Josh. Lucky timing on the air show. Good shot from there to TN on 10 watts. 73 KC1MTM

[@Proc3000]

Great video. Studying for general and I was looking at the buddipole but idunno....buddistick might be the way to go. Awesome location to play radio

[@bradskis81]

Had my buddistick for a couple weeks now. It’s an awesome little portable setup. I am very pleased with it and feel it was a good buy. I am in SC and can hit CA stations no problem on 20w. The tuning charts that it comes with are pretty close, and if your radio has an internal tuner you should be able to tune up no problem with the given settings. If you have an analyzer though, it would help a ton. The coil tap number for all the bands was accurate, but I found adjusting the radial length a turn or couple on certain bands really helped tweak it for max efficiency. I think I got most bands down to 1.1 - 1.3. But once you know the best radial length and coil taps for those bands, setup for next time is really quick and consistent.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Josh, Nice video. Glad you made the activation and the air show was the icing on the cake. You did a respectable job considering the video equipment you had on hand. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for watching!

[@theultimatehang]

Josh, are you using the new Versahub? If so, does it require a choke balun? Set up video would be nice. Thanks. N7PHI.

[@joshuahenry3228]

I live right there. you should check out the area where the bmx jumps are

[@JP-tl8rr]

Herb KX4QV. That T-Shirt idea with “what I am doing “ on the back of it would have been a good test on this POTA , 73 great video.

[@kristhompson8112]

Bonus air show , Like dude you didn't plan it ??? Ha Ha think I spotted some gopro footage from one of the pilots on YT from that very showday . Making it look easy as , as always Regards and 73 ,frm ZL1KJT

[@StuartM0TTQ]

I was listening out for you while you were doing this one. Didn't hear you but I did get a P2P to CA with KQ6QB which was not bad at all!

[@Groundpounder61]

Awesome content really enjoyed the video. Seems like you had a great seat for th air show even though you were north of it by what 5 miles or so. That was the free blue angel show

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was very nice. The plane I saw were the Thunderbirds.

[@propagating-radio]

Loving your videos Josh. Keep up the great content! 73

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks, will do!

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Josh, I wonder when you filmed this video since that whole area for a 15 mile stretch is now the site of a massive oil spill going from my old QTH at Surf City USA-Huntington Beach through Sunset Beach to north of Seal Beach. I was halfway expecting you to comment about the overwhelming smell of the massive oil spill. They are saying on the news here in Honolulu that an anchor from one of those ships ruptured a underwater oil pipeline either last Friday night or Saturday morning and that a criminal investigation has been launched. BTW, I know that area in Bolsa Chica very well and there is really no shady spots to set up for a POTA either. Thanks for the video, Josh. 73’

[@tookthe5th182]

Super fun video Josh!

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

That was an entertaining activation. That would definitely distract me on completing QSO's. 73!

[@donaldsmith3048]

That was cool!

[@kerwinrogers5590]

So cool!

[@503Nick]

That’s awesome!

[@klingterra]

Blue Angles preforming for Fleet Week. I had Thunderbirds and Snowbirds (Canada) here in Houston. You think trying to do POTA in an airshow is a challenge, next year, come out to Wings Over Houston and see an entire net run in the middle of an airshow.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Sounds great!

[@johnk23705]

Good video. I like that you used the tried and true Buddistick. Maybe do a future video showing how to make the Buddistick even better by just using metal instead of a coil and rods up to 20 meters and using 4 radials. Yea, it takes more time for portable, but is useful if your going to be camped out for a while. Makes it an even better performer. Military planes and Ham Radio....Outstanding ! P.S. I see the ships, one of them has my Lithium Ion batteries on it. Been 4.5 months and still waiting.

[@Tonpilot]

That was the USAF Thunderbirds at the end there!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was!

[@TheRetiredtech]

I saw you spotted on but couldn't really hear you. Could tell you you were there but that was it. From Ohio ...

[@MrStanwyck]

Great video. Looks like the Budstick is a pretty good antenna.

[@forgetyourlife]

Id like to know how much power gets soaked up by the coil for qrp. Sounds like 5w wasn't working but 10 was so it might loose a few. Need a field strength meter for that i think.

[@wingzofsteel]

Thank you for this. I have just passed my Technicians and have ordered me a Lab599 Discovery TX 500. Would you recommend the Buddistick Pro? I a still trying to figure out what else I need beyond the radio. I have learned a lot from your channel. Thanks again.

[@skepticalmechanic]

Thanks.. I enjoyed this… must be frustrating have a z in your call…

[@bruceweight7319]

good job looks so fun.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was!

[@chadkreiser9930]

The more I watch on ham radio the more excited I get. Can't wait to take my technicians test this coming Saturday Oct 16, 2021. Question, what band you running for the POTA video(s)? And what is the difference with SOTA? Are these digital bands?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I was on 20 meters. SOTA is similar to POTA, it the S stands for Summits. So activating from a mountain top

[@Tacereus]

Hope your tech lic came back!. With Tech you can do POTA but only on CW (Morse Code). There is a chunk on the 40 M band you can operate with a tech license. If you want to do SSB (or other forms of voice) on HF you will need to upgrade to general.

[@ericwil76]

Much better video man keep putting out 15-20min videos and I will watch them every day. All the YT ham operators are putting out insanely long videos that nobody has time for.

[@Osirus7610]

What do you use to log your contacts

[@Locksnut]

HAMRS app I believe

[@litzdog911]

Looks like the BuddiStick Pro served you very well! What band were you operating? My BuddiStick arrived a few days ago but I haven't had a chance to get out and try it yet.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I was on 20 meters.

[@JamesWoodard1222]

Those ships are cargo ships and tankers. They're in quarantine, awaiting clearance to come in to port and off-load their containers. It's the same in the Gulf and on the east coast. You should see Chesapeake and New Jersey/New York.

[@greg5929]

Plus the capacity at the dock s is way down. Gamesmanship ($$$$$) for year worth of lost revenue.

[@greg5929]

Gotta ask what kind of noise floor you getting whilst out there? Plus which band you run??

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No noise floor. I worked 20 meters.

[@greg5929]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse wow. I get S3/4 into DX10 here in IE. Midas touch, good on ya.

[@greg5929]

BTW. Great vid too bad they shutdown the show on Sunday had it planned. Kudos to you.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@sm3ttz]

For a moment I though you said Boca Chica and I thought "oh he is gonna see starship" but then I heard that it was another place.

[@mikemiles3068]

Great video❗️👍. KV5P

[@frankwc0o]

Don't leave those electric fence posts in your car, they bent with the heat. Seems like you were there Friday, my buddy John said they were practicing that day. I didn't know the preserve was a park for POTA, that's crazy. That's Wonderfull, I'm there all the time :). I've used my car's antenna for HF, but never thought of going in the park with my radio. I'm surprised the authorities didn't tell you something, then again they are not present all the time. It disappointing the air show was cancelled for the oil spill. I hope those birds survive.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

What would the authorities tell me “Don’t heat up the air in the environmental reserve.” ? :D

[@poitevienphilip]

It's a good thing you're on the beach right now because that antenna has no outlet

[@fubolibs4218]

What's that white plastic stick you use for the buddistick pro radial wire?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Electric fence post. They’re like $5.00 at Home Depot and Tractor Supply

[@DanielWiley]

KEWL Activation Josh!

[@lightracer8632]

I’m a new tech., so do not understand all of the HF. How do you choose the band and frequency for Pota?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Generally we choose the band based on time of day. And whichever frequency isn’t in use.

[@rocklover28]

@hamradiocrashcourse what model are those #oakley sunglasses those are sweet... I want a pair!

[@k9gcpradio424]

What app are you using?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

HAMRS

[@Niteskate1]

Well Josh you seem to do POTA from some of the coolest places, 73 de VE7WNO

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I do get lucky in that way from time to time!

[@KC1PSK]

I love this!!

[@kevink526]

Nice activation! I use the same stick for my Buddistick radial, but I got the bright yellow to warn wanderers. What are you using to log?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

HAMRS

[@ac2fv]

All those ships you see.... have all the products you don't see on store shelves or in inventory. They are just waiting to be unloaded. Problem is there is no one to unload. Probably a container with lots a good stuff for HRO...

[@jakel-181]

That's a fancy patch on your hat...

[@reidlanham2011]

Did you feel that the Buddistick performed well? I have one, but it is older and I don't have the VersaHub or shock cord tripod. I was thinking of getting those to jump start my use of the Buddistick. Thoughts on the value? Thanks! 73, K8JLW

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I thought it worked great. But I assume the older Buddistick works performs similarly.

[@reidlanham2011]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Yes, my older one works probably the same. Just trying to decide if the $120 investment in the better mount and tripod is worth it.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Unless you need a more portable option probably not. Just get out there and play radio.

[@rickpellicciotti]

Excellent as always. Most weekend airshows have a rehearsal on Friday. This is also "media day" where the news media is invited out to film and interview the pilots (sometimes ride with them) so that they can get it on the nightly news the day before the actual air show. Maybe we should think about starting AOTA (Airports on the Air). There are over 5000 of them in the US waiting to be activated. 73 KJ4NWQ

[@rocklover28]

what you should say to people is "I am trying to make contact with the Motherland... I hear you Russia loud and clear". Watch their eyes when you say that! hahahahahaah

[@timothygoetz9742]

what logging program are you using on the iPhone?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

HAMRS

[@bruceweight7319]

what band were you on?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

20 meters.

[@fubolibs4218]

You need a headset for the airshows :)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No joke. Spontaneous air shows are now a thing I have to worry about. 🤣

[@armandoa5468]

Josh, do you ever feel weird walking around stores like Lowe's while filming? Any ask you what are you up to and why you're filming? Reason I ask is because a friend was doing the same thing and they told him stop filming as they thought he worked for a direct competitor of the store.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I vlogged for over 600 days straight. You get used to it.

[@poitevienphilip]

hi qrp ,how many watts 5?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It depends who you ask. Some say ten and lower. Some say the kx3 at 15 is QRP. Traditionally it was 5, it’s a little loose now.

[@poitevienphilip]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse my question is how much watts were you working with on that video?sorry

[@Screamingtut]

Josh, I hope to make a contact with you. Thanks for the Prayers I had my surgery on Thursday (9/30) had a hiccup I "Code Blue" and was DOA for 3-4 mins just a few hours after they replaced the new valve I got zapped several times and they rushed me back in and put a Pacemaker in. It's Sunday night I am home now with my kitties. Pass this on to the rest of the gang. 73s & 88s. Krisy N6KV

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’m glad to hear you’re on the road to recovery! 73

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

Prayers for your continued recovery.

[@richardfitzwell5708]

C’mon,Josh….I don’t see your hat patch for sale on your site…how do we get those? 73, KN4UNO

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was a one off that was sent to me from KM4ACK. we’re still looking for a good economical patch maker 👍

[@shaofuchang515]

I think GAME sounds better than CONTEST. Once anything is made into a competition the fun factor is out the window and it becomes just work. QRP is 5W or less by the books, but the signal report on a field antenna I've found 10W gives you a little edge above the noise floor but not enough to be suspected of being an imposter. I'm glad I'm not the only one who operates 10W and called himself a QRP without feeling absolutely tickled about breaking the rules. How is the backlight on the IC-705 in the sun? How do you like that radio? KN4GEI

[@alphamike2839]

That would be the US Navy Blue Angels. W7FAN

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Nope. Not during my video. Blue Angels are pretty unmistakable. www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-01/air-show-at-huntington-beach

[@alphamike2839]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Oh yeah. Just the Thunderbirds. Not quite as cool as the Blues.

[@W9HJBill]

Over 100 ships, just anchored out there because there isn't enough truck drivers to haul away over half a million containers because many of them are refusing to "get the jab" that their companies are mandating. There are even more ships off China waiting to get loaded. Hence the supply shortages and partly increased prices.

[@kg4tri]

Last I heard they canceled the Air Show due to the Oil spill.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yep, unfortunately.

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

Ships, like container ships? Yeah, they're stacked up cruising through the ocean because of Covid restrictions in the ports up and down both coasts. I've heard of wait times of over seven hundred days. So, for everyone wondering why can't we get such and such, that's a reason for part of it.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah. It was wild to see.

[@poitevienphilip]

the planes wouldn't let you do dx jejejejej

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld]

Container ships that drug anchor over the oil pipe line 😳😓😣🤔

[@rossbassette7518]

Josh, Aren't you subject to arrest , public humiliation, and financial ruin for daring to not wear a mask? Good job on the video!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Not in the OC. Especially outside.

[@ocavant]

Now it’s a oil wetland🙁

[@ridiculous9730]

This video just reminds me why I hate California. Awesome video on pota though.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol thanks?

[@bobrewer202]

You give great content, but please be respectful of our time. The best You Tubers cut out the BS such as your coffee run and the other filler. Get to the point. You were almost 6 minutes into this video before you did anything

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

What is “the point” of a pota activation? Just some shots of me talking a radio? Seems like you have a specific type of video you want to see.

[@bobrewer202]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I want tips or learn how you did it. Nice to see the scenery and the fun stuff. But buying coffee and going to the store aren’t relevant and take up a lot of time.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’d recommend watching a tips video then. When I post a POTA video it’s about my journey to get to the activation.

[@bobrewer202]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Wow! As a You Tuber, you aren’t very open to feedback. Re-read the title of your channel. “Crash Course” signifies quick teaching. Your coffee/errands run isn’t a key part of the “journey”. The hike and the rest made sense. I think you are awesome and I have learned a lot from you. I was only citing what current data says about video trends. They are getting too long and that most viewers look at the duration before they even start them. It also says that You tubers are realizing that our time is our currency, and the good ones are cutting out the filler. Stats are are showing the the most popular views are on the shortest videos. One of the leading reasons viewers abandon channels or pass on a video is time. Those are the trends. You have and will keep your base. You will struggle to grow it if you continue to ignore the trends and are averse to any feedback that isn’t praise.