Hamvention 2024: POTA Activation Kickoff at Strouds Run State Park in Athens, Ohio!

qrper.com/2024...
Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.
***GEAR***
Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.
-- Yaesu FT-818ND (www.yaesu.com/...)
-- WINDCAMP 3000mAh LIPO battery for FT-818/817 (ebay.us/j3QXaE)
-- WINDCAMP Anderson PowerPole Adapter for FT817/818 (amzn.to/3C9ZQ1F)
-- BaMaKeY TP-III Ultra-Compact Twin Paddle (www.bamatech.n...)
-- Jeweler’s Bench Block, ie. Weighted Key Base (amzn.to/3VmcgxE)
-- Key cable: Cable Matters 2-Pack Gold-Plated Retractable Aux Cable - 2.5 Feet (amzn.to/3OUUNri)
-- ABR Industries High Visibility Jacket ABR240-UF with PL-259s and 5 Ferrites (Use Coupon Code ABR10QRPER for 10% Discount!) abrind.com/sho...
-- SO-239 to BNC Adapter (amzn.to/3Q44FkY)
-- MM0OPX QRP EFHW (Contact Colin for Availability www.qrz.com/db...)
-- Weaver arborist throw line/weight (amzn.to/3e6xKb3) and storage bag (amzn.to/3ggKO0q)
-- Bioenno 3 Ah LiFePo Battery Model BLF-1203AB (www.bioennopow...)
-- GraphGear 0.9mm 1000 Automatic Drafting Pencil (amzn.to/3Ntf1pV)
‎-- Rite In The Rain Top Spiral Notebook (amzn.to/42O5fa4)
-- GoRuck GR1 USA (www.goruck.com...)
--- Camera: DJI OSMO 4 action camera (amzn.to/3Tf89TH) with Joby Telepod Tripod (amzn.to/3Qlv652)
-- Leatherman Signal Multitool--my EDC multitool (amzn.to/4aRs7sW)
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Thanks for watching!
72,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@ThomasK4SWL]

qrper.com/2024/06/pota-activation-at-strouds-run-state-park-a-rainy-morning-and-ham-radio-memories/?swcfpc=1 Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.

[@N4AAJ]

Love the trusty ft818nd. It's still my favorite portable radio. Thanks for taking us along on your adventures, OM! 73 de N4AAJ

[@JonathanKayne]

The real advantage of the windcamp battery is that switch. The ft-817 and 818 draw current even when "off" so it will eventually drain the battery. That switch solves that issue

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Good point!

[@qrplife]

After watching hundreds of K4SWL activation videos, I’ve realized an obvious inefficiency in my logging technique. Instead of waiting until the QSO is done to log the time, note it in the same action as writing down their QTH. For years now I’ve been making another trip to the log to record the time after the QSO, introducing unnecessary delay in my “turn around” time to the next call.

[@tuzonghua]

The wireless mic not working just makes it seem like he's walking around muttering to himself while setting up the antenna 😂

[@ThomasK4SWL]

😆Ha ha! That's sort of what I do in the best of times!

[@AlGritzmacher]

I want to thank you for the Jewelers block idea. I have several keys with magnetic bases and it's the perfect addition. Much better than the sheet of galvanized metal I've been using. So, I ordered on from Amazon. The next day they delivered ... an empty envelope! You could see where the heavy block had blown open the seal at the end of the envelope. So, I went online and reported it and they sent me another the next day. My son, who is getting started with CW, saw it and decided he needed one, so he ordered one. The next day, guess what? Another empty envelope! He reported it and got another then next day. I can imagine some long set of rollers in an Amazon facility where these roll down and hit the bottom and below the conveyors is a little pile of Jewelers blocks! I wonder if any other of your readers had the same problem?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Holy cow! How weird is that!?! They are heavy. I can't remember how mine was packaged.

[@W7LDT]

I appreciate your courtesy towards visitors at your activation sites. It bothers me when some KZbinrs set up in a public park and then get irritated when public persons come by to see what they are doing.

[@thomasrossow2130]

Hello dear Thomas, I have another stupid question. I saw that you are using the DJI Osmo Action 4 camera. Do you have any problems with the camera overheating? vy 73 de Thomas dc5ly

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I've had no issues at all. So far, I've been very pleased with the OSMO 4.

[@thomasrossow2130]

@@ThomasK4SWL thank you for answer 🙂

[@barrywendon5168]

TNX Thomas love the scenery 73 de G6JMX

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

I was reading your article on QRPer, I've ordered a TP-3 from Markus, as well as his leg strap. But your idea of using a jewellers bench block on a table made me... order one as well !!! 😂 Cheers for the pro tip, as my little home desk is made of wood... Keep up the great work. Best regards, 73 de 2E0HJN Manny / Essex / UK

[@teamtacoslick]

that is a nice key and base.

[@Blake-jl8lh]

What a beautiful park

[@linuxuberuser]

I wish I had bought an 818 before they stopped making them - damn you part shortages!

[@gewglesux]

whats the difference between the 817ND and the 818?

[@itrdatube]

Jason it used to be law that every trawler or commercial Vessel above a certain size had to carry an HF marine radio. These radios were not for ham use but had to cover the international distress frequency 2182 kHz. On vhf the distress frequency is vhf channel 16 or 156.8 mhz. The equipment was large and bulky compared to todays offering and usual made by a company called “Sailor” in the Uk and Ireland and always painted green

[@monogliff923]

I was raised in Athens. So much time spent at that lake. Glad to see and hear the geese are running that park like they own it.

[@darrenrogers5174]

I own an FT-817. Where can I buy that same bracket stand you have that elevates the radio?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

These are made by a company called Portable Zero. Highly recommend!