How I Get Setup for POTA! Eisenhower State Park

This is the pre and post game report from the POTA live stream we did a few days ago. Hopefully this will help you get prepared and get on the air!
Today's Station:
👉 Antenna: (Poseidon) www.coffeeandh...
👉 Radio: (Yaesu FT-100) geni.us/VSmfxU
👉 Tuner: (LDG z100) geni.us/u8Rp9Bt
👉 Power Station: (TO's Simple Battery Box) • Simple Battery Box! Th...
👉 👉 With the Powerqueen Mini Battery: ipowerqueen.co...
👉 Logging Software: (Polo) polo.ham2k.com/
Other Gear:
👉 Gigaparts Explorer Laptop Sleeve: www.gigaparts....
👉 TheHamStop SkyHook: geni.us/GqT9QY
👉 RollerCam Rope Roller: www.avantlink....
👉 100w Foldable Solar Panel: iallpowers.com...
👉 Solar Charge Controller: geni.us/3tzYKy
👉 DenCo Batteries: (HamBro) denco.enterprises
👉 Vero VR-N76: www.veroteleco...
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[@subiesojourner777]

I've got two Yaesu FT-100D's, one in my Subaru with a ATAS-100 for HF and one for POTA. They are great little radios.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm really digging it. I will be doing more with it in the future.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Looks like that antenna and Radio did great!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

The Coffee and Ham Radios Poseidon always does!

[@KO4VNX]

I have that radio!!! It has been great for me!

[@KO4VNX]

Bought it at a HAMfest two years ago for $300, in mint condition.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good to hear!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Score!

[@cornbread-KO5RN]

OKAY

[@temporarilyoffline]

OKAY

[@WECB640]

OMG, when you were using the HT at 11:00 and calling CQ, I got an instant FLASHBACK to how Leah would give a very energetic, detailed and long CQ call. 😄👍

[@temporarilyoffline]

I taught her that ;-)

[@HamRadioDX]

This is perfect POTA 101! Nice demo TO

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks mate!

[@billlangton-kn6er947]

I have the original FT-100. They came out in about 1999 or so. You have the "D" model which came out in May of 2000 with an improved speaker, a 500hz CW filter and a high stability crystal oscillator. The original does not have the raised ring around the speaker like the D. Great rig and the DNR was way ahead of it's time. You can remote the head as well and it is a great mobile rig because of that. One of the main issues with it was that the original mic would often start to short out after a while. Yaesu no longer sells a replacement and none of their other hand mics were compatible out of the box. The MH36B is hard to find so take care of that mic! I still use mine from time to time but unfortunately my mic does occasionally cut out. I find using vox seems to overcome the problem. Have fun with it!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks for the info. So far I'm enjoying it. I'll be sure to take care of the mic!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Woohoo for callin’ on .52!! It doesn’t always work, but surprises can be fun.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I was hopeful!

[@P.SeanCoady]

Well the coax is now one of the radials. Since it is insulted it couples to ground via capacity just like all of your other radials. Of course how well it all couples depends on the soils conductivity so I recommend reliving yourself near the feed point.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good plan, stay tuned for the video on that science experiment!

[@tdsmart5674]

The red color on that VR-N76 really pops in this video! Looks much better than it does on their website.

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's a keeper. Honestly all the colors look really good, hard to pick the best.

[@dan_in_sd]

Steve, can you do a video on a super compact POTA kit for travel across country on a flight. like LA to NY or CHI to MIA. etc. what can you bring, what cant your bring etc, and what is the bare minimum to bring

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey Dan, I sure can and I travel pretty often. You'll have to fight the TSA game and get creative. TSA doesn't care about wires or QRP sized batteries... but no tent stakes!

[@KQ4KXA]

It is sad most of the time 2 meter simplex and 70cm simplex is dead i try and call out everyday on my way to and from work to try and get it busy

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its really dependent on the area you are in. The better repeater coverage, the less people will be on .52. I've also found that 52 is more popular near cities.

[@RatchetFWD]

Repeater with rubbery boy could happen if the repeater is on top of a mountain 🎉

[@temporarilyoffline]

Definitely!

[@Vfoust]

Flatlanders endfed use coax as counter poise so choke before radio !

[@temporarilyoffline]

Makes sense!

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

If AK and HI are separate DX entities, then Manitoba counts as DX

[@temporarilyoffline]

It does... living on the border made me discount Canada and I shouldn't.

[@mikemurphy1940]

There isn't nearly enough ferrite on the coax to choke common mode.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Mike!

[@TravelinHam]

Dang it! I tried but my portable setup in VA couldn’t hear you.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Next time

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

A roll up J-pole for 2m wouldn't explode your pack.

[@temporarilyoffline]

You're right! Especially the fara-j!

[@JoeSoubie]

Always wanted one of those FT-100s to match the FTM-100DR that I have in my wife's car. Still works great.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its pretty good so far! More to come.

[@JoeSoubie]

Cool. Can't wait...

[@ChrisRobinsonKF6NFW]

haha, I have the Japanese version of the FT-100 which is 50 watts out and a couple different other things on bands. I do feed my tuner directly with a double PL-259 connector as you mentioned. I need to switch up to a LiFePo though, I am still dragging a heavy battery in the wagon but I do have a wagon. In regards to the choked coax. You are raising an awesome Q. This is one I have been researching and finding mixed results on. Choking on both ends had yielded best results, in some situations and depending on desired results, sometimes choking on the radio end is preferred only while using the coax as part of the mix, or choke the other end at antenna, and kill it right away. It has mostly depended on the antenna, and setup. 73 OM, de KF6NFW

[@temporarilyoffline]

I first need to "create the problem" and then try the 4 combinations (none, antenna end, radio end, both ends) and see if it solves the problem... Then of course there is problem 2 which I don't think you'll prove at all: Does using the coax as a 5th radial help anything? Always something to play with.

[@tomedgar4375]

Lithium batteries burn at 4000 degrees if the circuitry fails and they experience thermal run away. Doesn’t happen often but… Also, they don’t work if allowed to sit on a cold garage in winter temps. I’m using smaller AGM batteries in parallel. Safer and work in a much wider temp range.

[@ChrisRobinsonKF6NFW]

@@tomedgar4375 I am not sure, are you anti-lithium battery?? LiFePo, work just fine in deep cold providing you take care of them. I live in the desert, I deal with extreme heat, and deep freezing temps. I have only had a personal cellphone battery pack ever give me problems after years of actual abuse. Otherwise from my big batteries, I have never had an issue when they are taken care of properly. Folks tend to forget about taking care of their batterie's properly. They treat like lead acid, and you just cant do that. However if you like wasting money, sure go ahead and buy them and set them in your cold garage and forget about them and abuse them. In which case hey just buy them and send them to me, please. Dont abuse them.

[@robertmeyer4744]

Great setup ! I just did a park the outher day with my girlfriend. Was not a POTA park but still fun. Took street legal E Scooter ride. all in backpack. I had QT 60 with 20 AH battery and DiGi Rig. about same antenna . 25Ft with 4:1 . Choke both ends of coax. What i do. Got over 200 contacts in 5 hours. Most FT8 . 10 and 12 meters . Some QSB and noise like S3 to S5 . But most stations ca,e in S9 or better . DX was odd due to solar storm and the MUF not so good. Still got Jamecia / Cuba / Puerto rico and west coast states from NY park. Even CB pile up on CH 38 . No solar with me. battery just fine 30 watts and 10 watt FT8 . radio does 60 watt SSB . Love that laptop sleeve it will fit 17in HP. When just me on scooter I carry IC 7300 and 100 AH battery or 50AH once the 200AH one and 12V cooler. and 200 watt solar. Just strap down to seat and set stuff on platform where you set feet. Scooter is all hand controls , so lots of places to strapp stuff down . we have 2 electric and 1 gas scooters. and none need class M license. We both have a DM class anyways . So many great parks all over the world ! We got that wagon. Folds up small . Must have for camping. A girl at the park gave her CAT a ride in one. was so funny. normally it is a kid or dog. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

What are you using to connect that QT60 to FT8?

[@robertmeyer4744]

@@temporarilyoffline The DiGi Rig and on the cite the cable set for Anytone AT 5555 N II works with it. been using months now . getting levels right was hard. QT 60 and AT 5555 N II same radio. now replaced with QT 60 pro . Laptop is HP 17 in windows PC. WSJT-X and Hammers and bunch of outher ham programs. The DiGi Rig cables came with ferrite on them .

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks

[@BallJarSo]

I was under the impression that POTA does not allow the use of land repeaters. Only satellite repeaters.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Can't say everything in a video, but what I would do is call out on the repeater and let people know I'd be on simplex @ frequency X and ask them to QSY to meet me. Most people leave their 2m radios scanning local repeaters compared to HF where the norm is to spin the dial and look for QSOs

[@BallJarSo]

@@temporarilyoffline Ah! Well played sir!

[@oh2hqe]

How was that one rope mast system?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Fantastic!

[@KD9VUK-]

Looks like the one i sold you 😂

[@temporarilyoffline]

Fancy that!

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Great video, Steve!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Shane!

[@om0wt]

The Laptop 😂😂😂

[@temporarilyoffline]

😂😂😂

[@oh2hqe]

Neat bag ❤

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's from LA Police Gear

[@pixeluser175]

1:27 Map

[@temporarilyoffline]

You got that right

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Nice spot, Steve.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Really nice park

[@KO4VNX]

POTA for the win!!!

[@KO4VNX]

that laptop sleeve is golden!!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Always a good time.

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

You FINALLY Got a RED one!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes, and its GLORIOUS!

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

@@temporarilyoffline I liked the blue one even though I love green, but I'm happy for you finally getting the red one.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@NovemberOneOscarGrouch thanks! That blue one turned out better that I thought too

[@victorcharlie7491]

Nice work, tnx Man!

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet!