Fraud In POTA? Are People Really Doing This??

[@EvanK2EJT]

On the subject of falsifying logs......and I'm not necessarily trying to defend anyone, I'm just playing devil's advocate........what if either they blew the call, typed it in incorrectly, or were paper logging and they couldn't read their own handwriting (I've been guilty of that one myself lol). I'd like to think that the vast majority of activators are honest, so it's certainly possible that it's an honest mistake. That being said, if it's a repeat thing, that's definitely sketchy, and I'm not okay with that. Fortunately for me I can prove all of my logs (and that I was actually at the park) because I record every single activation and put it on KZbin 😂

[@donz7992]

Or in my case when activating CW I am sure I have blown call signs AND wrote it down illegibly!😂 No bad intent just incompetence!

[@markanderson8066]

paper logger here. I've had to look up some calls to confirm what I wrote / thought I wrote, hoped I wrote, lol. If I can't figure it out, I don't log it. But I'm long past worrying much about my stats. Hope to see everyone one the air, typically CW for me! WB2SMK

[@Durang0318]

getting a call wrong is one thing, but I can think of two activators what are very well known in the community that have been called out for not actually being in the park (one of them in on the top leaderboard every year). Nothing happened to either of them.

[@EvanK2EJT]

@@Durang0318 Yeah, I know exactly who you're talking about. They're known entities, and I won't work them

[@ismellbeanscooking]

Right. It would take even more time and effort to simply make up a callsign and log it.

[@ve2zdx]

There are cases where the cw operator got the callsign wrong, thus a false log entry. I hear tons of KZbin potas in CW and it happens quite often. Most of these false logs come from CW, especially because POTA is awesome to learn CW. Hopefully the newbies will not be scared after watching this. 73!

[@EvanK2EJT]

That is 100% the case. It's super easy, especially for a newer CW op, to blow a call. Heck, I do it, and I'm pretty darn good at CW.

[@dorvinion]

I'm still a bit of a novice so I'm sending ?? a lot and so I usually get to hear the hunter send his call two or three times. I figure if the hunter then gives me a RR when he responds with RST he believes I got his call right and so I got it right even if I really did get it wrong. As a hunter I've been missed in the logs of activators. Only thing I can do is send my call a couple times before sending RST and hope he recognizes that I didn't think he got it right.

[@ScottRalph-c3i]

I agree entirely! I am new to CW and doing "okay" at it, but errors occur a lot for me. For example, I heard a D instead of a B, and the call sign did not exist. Luckily, it turned out they spotted me, and so it was okay. But lots of folks are doing their darnest to get it right

[@ScottRalph-c3i]

@@dorvinion Me too! It's a thrill, but quite the struggle too!

[@ve2zdx]

@@ScottRalph-c3i it happens to everyone. It’s not even a matter of mastering cw or not, sometimes you’re in the middle of a qso and police comes, curious people etc.. it just happens all the time and it’s not fraud, it’s just human error.

[@georgebradshaw474]

Mike, I periodically review my Hunter logs and have discovered activations with my call sign, with whom I didn’t correspond. One was a CW, which I don’t currently utilize. I chalk it up to miss heard call sign from someone else, not intentional “fraud”. I don’t hear clearly (ears blown out in VietNam ‘69), and that causes me trouble trying to record a contact correctly. If I’m not sure, I don’t enter it into the log. I suspect that I’m not the only Ham who suffers from the same deficiency. Enjoy your videos, thank you. AC3EA

[@raymondmartin6737]

Yes with QSL's and eQSL's, I sometimes am listed for some CW QSO's, especially on 40 M, but I don't work CW, which some of these are mistakes with W2CS, which CW wise is close to my call, W2CH. 😊

[@brianhendrix]

I drove my @$$ off yesterday (that's a lot of @$$) to get my 5 park in one day award. I'm VERY deliberate about being within the border of any reference location in POTA. It took 12 hours from time leaving home to getting back home. These cheaters make me just as sick.

[@hamradiotube]

I hear ya man, those roves can be quite the outing for sure.

[@kevin_wb0poh]

I know. I did my first 5-park rove during Virginia QSO Party, and it took a two-fer to make it manageable.

[@KU9L]

I wear my 2 failed activations with pride, one due to bad propagation & the other due to a broken BNC connector on my QRP rig. I believe that once the POTA system is upgraded to the ISO system complete that there should be a brand new mandatory Ethic training that includes video & an online classroom, plus a REQUIRED test that must be passed at the end. I know, the same two Scurvy elephants will still be cheating, but I will feel better that the rest of us are on board with our personal ethics. Cheers, Davey --KU9L

[@alexharker7223]

I got a CW contact on 30m once that I never made. I can’t even tune my antenna for 30m. I assumed it was an input error or a miscopied callsign. I have no reason to believe it’s anything other than that. If you are faking POTA logs, you are the most pathetic human on earth.

[@AlvinMcManus]

That's doing the work, right! 73 de KN6ZVI

[@KT4RAM]

Many years ago, my elmer explained to me that "The best length of coax is the minimum length to reach from the transmitter to the antenna. You may also make a simple rf choke. Have fun.

[@briangarrison9518]

Thank you Sir Mike for hosting my question as to the length of coax for POTA. I've tossed around the idea of 30ft from radio to choke and then 20ft to Packtenna because there's a place on the Packtenna for a radial if needed. And, ABR Industries only has 30ft and 20ft POTA (orange & yellow) cables. If for some reason I needed a counterpoise, I thought the 20ft section of coax was perfect length since normally a counterpoise is around 17ft in length and I would choke it off at that point. Didn't want to have to carry extra wire if I didn't need to. Most of my other mobile applications are with a 50ft coax (w/ferrites) from ABR on verticals or using the Chameleon Mpas 2.0 setup. I have no experience yet using the Packtenna but have watched all of hour video reviews knowing that it's your favorite. I'm sure that I'm over thinking the whole thing lol. Thanks to all of you who also gave me input on your experiences! I'm learning something new every day as a new ham. Take care, Brian (KE8OVP)

[@nc4te]

As to the POTA fraud ….. it may not be the activators fault. It could be many things including pirate operator, mis-hearing the hunter, fat fingering the entry and other possibilities.

[@ae4xo]

When you activate 2 parks within 15 minutes if each other, but the parks are physically 50 miles apart, that's not a mistake. They are cheating on purpose

[@PatFortino]

I agree. I’m only cw and sometimes I get call signs wrong. I usually write their state with the call so that’s another way to check. But I usually submit them so the chaser can get the points. Also, I usually get 70-150 qsos so I’m not doing it get my activation. That’s the big problem with pota software: it doesn’t allow chasers to submit. With SOTA I can see all the chasers who submitted the contact. That can help clear up uncertainty with call signs. The same goes for chasers (on SOTA) who submit a contact but I never wrote down their call. I suspect these ops are not necessarily cheating but they obviously can’t hear me enough to know I never sent their call sign with a report. Of course, I don’t add these to my log.

[@Durang0318]

getting a call wrong is one thing, but I can think of two activators what are very well known in the community that have been called out for not actually being in the park (one of them in on the top leaderboard every year). Nothing happened to either of them.

[@mariodesmo]

Just an FYI for you, your videos are well done. Good audio, visuals, and production. Some channels are painful to try and watch. Yours are informative and entertaining, and to the point! Good Luck!

[@CraigW5CBW]

Mike, I occasionally get a notice on QRZ wanting me to verify a contact from a QSO that I have no record of. Generally, I am a POTA hunter when these contacts are made. I wonder, rather than fraud, if maybe they just made a mistake on the callsign. I hear several calls that are similar and I hunt a lot.

[@Brent_N4BDW]

Every activation I take a pic of the park sign and post it in Discord for my Ham friends to see that I’m honoring my word. I owe that to them so they know they’re truly making a legit contact into a park or environment.

[@guygore3794]

I think I'll start doing that!

[@maddogusmarines]

I always give people the benefit of the doubt. I am in a wheelchair and go out to have fun. If someone is being dishonest, it is on them. I hate cheaters, but no sense in losing sleep over it. I had a guy tell me he lives next door to a state park, so he activates from his house. I called him a cheater and said that I am an amputee and can go to the park, so could he. He is the one that has to live with his decision, not me.

[@Retired_Five-0_W4WAG]

My main coax that I carry is 50’ of POTA Flex 7. I also bring 50’ of ABR with the Choke on one end (As a backup to use if needed)

[@WQ9V]

I am setting up a 70cm 2M antenna soon (17 foot) I am planning to paint is for less visibility in my neighborhood. Can I use rust oleum paint?WQ9V Thanks.

[@EJ42955]

Rustoleum may have some minute metallic properties. Before I installed my DBJ-1, I painted the PVC tubing with Krylon. Also, for stealth purposes. Doesn't seem to have any adverse effects.

[@WQ9V]

@@EJ42955 at which store did you buy that paint

[@robcarnaroli269]

It would be interesting to see a contact with and without the choke. Have the same contact hang on for both or something. Also, does the coiled, unused section create a choke too???

[@vonzigle]

Thanks!

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thank you so much!!!

[@RFPews]

I have no doubt it happens. But who cares. It’s POTA and it’s for fun. In the end, it just doesn’t matter. Some people just get too wound up to me. Happens in everything.

[@hamradiotube]

I agree. At the end of the day, it's just a contact. They literally mean zero to me in the whole grand scheme of life.

[@AI3W-Rick]

I use 33’ of rg-316 for my portable setup and KX-3. It has never dawned on me to put a choke inline. So now I go shopping for an ultra portable inline choke.

[@K1NF]

I agree with the comments about log errors, mistakes, fat fingered entries, etc. Getting ones panties up in a wad about fraud that was suggested by one person is a typical knee jerk reaction that many have online. Mike, your rant about sad hams falsifying logs, well we all know how you like to rant. Before you loose sleep over it, consider that the vast majority are doing it right, walking the walk and talking the talk. Consider the person making the claim could be just plain wrong or a troll. Consider that the person making the claim has a similar call to another avid hunter who works hundreds of parks. How many times has an activator missed a litter or transposed two. I see it in video often. I've logged wrong calls to Pota before and didn't know until I got EQSL, QRZ, or LOTW contacts come in that were clearly my mistake. I logged them separately to Pota making it a failed activation to give them credit but of course, the incorrect ones already logged to Pota remain for ever. Big deal, it's part of the system and how it works. I'm going to continue to do the best I can do, have fun with Pota, and NOT worry about alleged fraud. POTA On!

[@MikeN2MAK]

I usually use 25' of RG8X or RG316/174. I'd be really curious to see if the POTA Flex 6 would work well with a dipole or OCFD without putting too much strain on the mast. I usually use RG316 or RG174 for those setups, but if the POTA Flex 6 isn't too heavy, that'd be a great option.

[@N0LSD]

I have two pieces of coax: which I use depends upon the antenna and radio I'm deploying. Both are 50-foot lengths of Times Microwave LMR-240. One cable is terminated in PL-259, the other is terminated in BNC. I also use a 50-foot length of LMR-240 for my shack set-up. I do find the flex- versions easier to coil in cold temperatures, but with these short runs, frankly, the juice isn't worth the squeeze - and flex- versions of cables tend to exhibit more loss. I also do not use RG-174 or RG-316 - I'm willing to eat the weight and bulk penalty because I operate exclusively below 20w at all times, and almost always 5w or less. I want every .01 of a dB going to the antenna, especially because I don't own resonant antennas and already see a loss due to the tuner.

[@Sky1]

I think we need to do Highway Rest Stops on the air where we can re-introduce the public to amateur radio

[@MyHamRadioJourney]

Great videos, thanks for all you do for the Ham community. After taking about 20 years off the air, I am a returning Ham operator. I am a CW guy and a little rusty from being off the key for so long. I made a mistake once and wrote a call sign wrong on a recent POTA activation. Could someone be entered into an activator's log because of a wrongly copied call sign? I'm with you. Parks On The Air is so much fun, and I would hate to hear about fraud with such a fun activity. Thanks again for the video work. All the best. 73s.

[@vkradio1656]

Where can i buy that desk mat from?

[@N0LSD]

14:20 I don't advise carrying coax strapped to the outside of a pack: especially hiking through the bush. However, if you must, here's a piece of advice from an old Army Sergeant: dummy-cord it to your pack (i.e. tie a short length of paracord to the item, tie the other end to the pack.). This will save you possibly losing the item if it gets snagged on something as you're hiking. That hook and pile tape (i.e. Velcro(R)) will break down pretty quickly.

[@K3KTB]

I always open carry my coax. That way people know...😉. Good advice though, thanks.

[@hamradiotube]

If I were trudging through the bush, I would and do come up with a different solution. But from going to my car to a park bench, this works great.

[@N0LSD]

@@hamradiotube LOL @ "...trudging through the bush." You make it sound so bleak!

[@cablemedic207]

I haven’t trudged through the bush since the 80’s

[@ac1o]

I use mostly a 25 foot coaxial cable but I always bring an extra 50 foot coaxial cable just in case.

[@christophersmith1155]

real question ? should the CHOKE be near the antenna input or the radio output ? im using 36 feet of RG-213 when im at my parks/beach.

[@CopeWERX]

To be fair ... I have had contacts in my POTA logs that Im 101% certain and then the contact denies we made contact in QRZ. So fraud works both ways

[@mikesmith-po8nd]

Maybe a pirate? I had a friend (now SK) who was getting dozens of QSL requests from stations that he never worked. Turns out that someone was using his call. It finally stopped, but of course the guy was never identified. He probably just started using someone else's call.

[@Bugkiller991]

I have a 50ft length of Sahara for portable ops. I recently acquired a buddiepole that came with 2 25 lengths of coax, with BNC connections. That’s what has worked for me.

[@Tom-jd1rm]

New to ham, how would you know that someone is using my call sign. Is there a means to search for your call sign activity.

[@rod462]

I have made a couple contacts when the other operator said they were in a park... HMMM, sure sounded like a base/deskmic with a little room echo to it. Then I checked the call on POTA... NO callsign at that park. Wait 10 mins, Not at that park. another 10 mins, same thing. Falls under the category of "Things that make you go Hmmmmmm"'.

[@W7LDT]

Some cases of POTA fraud could be an Activator mis-copying a call sign during the activation or mis-typing when filling out the POTA log.

[@richiec7602]

Mike, is there a part number for the choke that you got from ABR Industries or is it a special order? Please let me know how you ordered it as I cannot find it on their website. Thanks

[@WesterDrive]

I recently came back to POTA after a two year break. I noticed two recent CW contacts in my log. Pretty impressive since I've yet to learn Morse. I just chalk it up to an error on the activator's part.

[@bruceweight7319]

50' foot is my most used. I do carry two 50' foot and like a couple of 25' foot pieces and a couple of jumpers.

[@kd4exy]

??? Which is a better coax , as to less loss, Lmr600 dB or m&p hyperflex13 ? This would be on all bands up to 440

[@fm3340]

How would someone know if they were added to someone's Pota log?

[@allananderson5840]

Had a POTA QSO the other day, and after maybe 20 minutes, never got the park designation either from a spot or from the activator (maybe I missed it). Odd no spot (usually I see lots fast). I should have asked I guess for ? the "park id"?

[@hamradiotube]

It honestly doesn't matter. When the activator uploads their log you will get credit for it. Sometimes we can't spot ourselves due to being in an area where there is no internet coverage.

[@prephampaul]

I use the M&P 50' and usually over half is still coiled when I use it, no effect on swr, works great!

[@michael-n5zr]

Anyone know where to get the M&P PL259 connectors in the US? At a reasonable price?

[@georgekern1914]

Currently I use 1- 25 ft length of Coax but will be upgrading to 50’ soon

[@jettunknown3786]

I did my first activation this weekend. With a very weak set up. And a vertical. And I made one contact. Theoretically 2 but we didn’t make it through bc 10 meters was falling apart. Closed up shop with a grin ear to ear bc I did that. I grabbed my radio and operated from a park away from my power supply. With not the best antenna and 20 watts. Going for an award is great if you know deep down it was granted for you accomplishments. People doing the actual work and people not really doing it. Makes the hobby fall apart. Kq4mug 73s….

[@jettunknown3786]

Another new thing I’m seeing on the bands is people going to qrz and “stealing” someone call sign so they don’t have to get their ticket. Happens more on repeaters than on hf. But I have seen multiple people saying the same thing. To many people watching fb worlds doing to end go get a baufeng. Kq4mug 73 once again😂

[@hamradiotube]

I could care less about awards. I just go out there because I love ham radio and I love being outside. I have no idea how many or what awards I have.

[@daytonagregory3781]

I have one 20M contact on my hunter info on my POTA from right after I got my tech license. I just got my general but still haven't made a 20M contact so that is always annoying to have on my account.

[@Doonit_hard_way_since_65]

Sad, but I guess if that is what they need to pump their ego, then, whatever. My property borders on a POTA park, All of my gear is within the limits to actually count as POTA activation, but sitting in my shack running legal limit on a Mosley pro-96 at 80 feet just really seems like some dishonorable arsenene actions, and really breaks the spirit of POTA, not to mention, it's just lying to yourself for the sake of your own ego.

[@seancook4317]

i like this idea of a ham radio, but i hate interacting with other humans, i dont really know how pota works, what if your antenna sucks, but theirs is great, they hear you, log it, and move on but you dont hear them at all and dont log anything, or do you need to confirm call signs or something else to verify both contacted eachother?

[@saldomino1639]

I agree brother ! Let me tell you if I am activating a park you can bet that I am at the park we need to be the honest brokers thanks Mike !

[@mrkopecky]

50ft coax. Plus an extra 15-25. Just in case rarely use it. But if 50 ft goes bad, backup is available.

[@ScottWalton]

I’ve often wondered what would stop someone from sitting at home and claiming to be in a park and then submitting logs to that effect. Nothing I guess, except for conscience. Hopefully it doesn’t happen.

[@lyfandeth]

So you use the DJI mic plugged into the Rode transmitter, instead of Rode's built-in lavalier?

[@douggrace8887]

I’m one of the organizers of the CNPOTA ( Canadian National Parks On The Air in 2019 ) our self produced software would catch cheaters. People who activate as well as chasers had to submit logs. Our software compared the two files and spit out reports if they didn’t agree. Some activators submitted their logs as part of a club as well as their own personal call. Our software would catch this and the operator would be requested to stop this activity. Our cost to develop the software was Zero as a member of the committee was a programmer. Enjoy your show.

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

That's funny, my wireless Rode mics work great in my shack with my mixer. The DJI mics don't work well on my mixer, not enough gain. The Rode mics work great. I have the DJI when filming with my iPhone but the supplied connector for the Lightning plug doesn't always connect. I adjusted the gain in the DJI Mics as high as I can and not enough for the live feed. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@George2geo]

I dont even own an hf radio yet and my callsign was logged back in 2021 as having made a phone contact with an activator on 20m.

[@aa4jwamateurradio450]

Instead of emailing the QA Team, its probably better to email the help desk. The help desk staff has access to more tools to look into these types of issues and address them. That said, there isn't a lot that we can do about it since we operate on the honor system. We can keep an eye on things and potentially deal with repeat offenders.

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Question. Why. During DX competitions on HF are operators using hundreds of Watts on the QRP calling frequencies and win awards. Especially if you check there station logs and Frequencies. As a QRP operator it makes it impossible to operate. Cheers from old George in the UK 🇬🇧

[@single_cam9199]

Do you have a link for the desk pad that the keyboard is sitting on

[@hamradiotube]

www.etsy.com/listing/1437009639/ham-shack-reference-mat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=quirky+qrp&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&bes=1&sts=1&content_source=885387c3fa23a70a9a10ddaa68fa34cfde63e997%253A1437009639&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1

[@single_cam9199]

SssWweeeT

[@dorvinion]

What's the point of doing a rules based activity if you ain't gonna follow the rules? Few weeks back I was out west on spring break and very close to a national historic trail. The maps published by NPS show the trail as being on the opposite side of a canyon where I was activating another park, but the same NPS map also said the route is approximate. According to an NPS ranger I talked to, the entire canyon floor (about 400ft wide) is the trail because in her estimation the trail is not a 'trail' in the modern sense we think of it, more of a general route with some places it very obviously being a trail followed by many many people, and other places the trail being many versions of find your own way from point A to point B. I decided not to upload this one because conflicting info and of course whats the point of doing a rules based activity if you ain't gonna follow the rules? Sure I'm the only one who would know I maybe wasn't exactly in the right place, but integrity is honesty when nobody is looking (until you tell the whole internet about it one day)

[@SeamasterSig]

On the topic of coax, I find the combination of a 25-foot and 50-foot length of coax to be optimal for most situations. A total of up to 75 feet is enough for most situations, but you can always go shorter if that's all you need. When I first started out I bought a 50-foot and then a 25-foot length of MPD Digital RG8X coax with N-connectors for VHF/UHF that I use with a copper j-pole on a painter's pole planted in a fence post I sunk into the ground. At first, I only used the 50-foot run and sat out in the backyard to operate, expecting to save the shorter run for use with a go-kit when away from home. But then I used the 25-foot run as an extension (weatherproofing all connections, including at the semi-permanently mounted antenna) so I could operate from the comfort of my screened lanai, i.e. safe from rain and mosquitos at sundown. When I got my General class license, I mimicked that thinking and bought another 50-foot and 25-foot length of MPD Digital RG8X with standard PL-259/SO-239 connectors for HF and often use them together at home with an RF-choke between them to get my Sporty 40 further from our metal roof. Away from home, the 50-foot run is usually long enough by itself. Finally, I bought a 25-foot length of RG-316 with a built-in choke from Chameleon like the one shown in the video as well as a 3-foot jumper in RG-316 mostly for QRP. The jumper was intended for an Emtech ZM-2 external tuner, but I mostly use resonant antennas or just the internal tuner on HF radio and have actually never needed the jumper. I'm sure it'll come in handy someday. Last, and probably least, my Ed Fong role-up j-pole came with (I think) a 6-foot length of RG-174 that I have never used.

[@petersichel9934]

I carry a 50' and 25' length of RG-8X and a toroid jumper CMC choke from Palomar Engineers. I believe toroid chokes are more effective per ounce. Depending on the setup I might need either or both lengths of coax joined together. Having a 2nd length of coax provides an important backup in case one is damaged. I limit my basic station to what can fit in a backpack but add extra antennas and creature comforts depending on the location.

[@GPSJayDog22]

My first day doing POTA a responding station gave me three park numbers to list. How is that possible? Don't he have to be in the park? I don't get it.

[@hamradiotube]

There are parks that count as multiples. Twofers, threefers etc. I have a 2fer by me that is a national forest and a wildlife management area. Also if certain trails are inside the park and you are within 100' of the trail that could count as a park and a trail, being a twofer. There's some that are 5 parks in one. They are quite rare though.

[@GPSJayDog22]

@@hamradiotube WOW! Still learning 🙂 Thank you for the explanation. My first day out didn't come with all the information. Thank you for filling in that gap. Cheers, 73. N6WIP

[@ahoward2kable]

I use 75ft. There a place that I go regularly that I could do with less, but that extra length let's me get to a nice comfy spot in the shade with a fireplace when it's cold. I'm not losing much and I get some flexibility

[@Mike_M_KI4MRC]

Did you flex because it’s POTA flex?😂😂 Great info, Mike!

[@souta95]

So far, I have a few 15ft-ish lengths of RG8x that I take for portable operations and then connect them together, as needed. This is simply because the cables I carry are just what I happen to have laying around for RG-8x (less loss than RG58, but thinner than the RG-8 and LMR400 I have laying around.)

[@Zach-K7FC]

Get a 50 foot. I love the cable builder on ABR, because you can get custom. I have a 100, 66, 50, 30, 20, 10.

[@DominicUliano]

I've only activated two parks so far but used my HT on APRS to record my location while I am activating.

[@robmccray6360]

For me the 35' for a portable Coax is the Goldilocks length. I have an Amazon coax I use that works just fine but will probably upgrade to the PotaFlex7 at some point. Just will have to decide if I want to custom order the 35' from M&P or just go to the 50' premade, Gigaparts has in stock. 20' just feels like you're right on top of your antenna and doesn't allow for any rollout variables.

[@hrustar]

Debating between 50 feet of POTA6 or 50 feet of R316 from ABR. I like the slimness and light weight of the 316, but, that POTA 6 seems really nice. THoughts?

[@yophotoman]

Been doing KZbin for over 12 years, to document my projects. I originally bought an Azden WM-Pro, mono wireless mic, powered via a 9 volt batteries and still using it. For stereo I duplicate the audio to the other channel in post - single command in my editor. I've had no reason to upgrade. Sorta of old school, compared to what's available these days, I suppose. LOL

[@TerraMagnus]

RE: audio quality… one other thing that will make these videos so much better… a pop stopper on that boom mic. I love the videos but the plosives in this one are pretty rough. Even just changing the mic angle and talking across the top of it instead of straight into it could help. Or talking into it with headphones on so you can hear yourself and start to learn to more naturally speak into that mic without strong plosives. Lots of options to clean this up!

[@tlcoucke]

I use about 30ft or so. I do carry several pieces of different lengths. I do have a snap on choke on the radio end. I use BNC's everywhere. I don't like UHF connectors. Due to work, I ended up with a whole lot of 75 ohm Belden 1505 so that is what I have been using for several years even at home. It is video cable and extremely good quality. I always use radials on one of two verticals. I have wire and everything I need to throw a wire in a tree that I thought I would use when I started POTA, but the verticals have always worked so well, I haven't gone to the bother. I have had one or two calls show up in QRZ and POTA that I did not work. I figure they just heard my call wrong. I do record most all of my activations. It makes sure I got the call correct. I use CW.

[@chesty1369]

Was it fraud or maybe a busted call in the log?

[@1shARyn3]

If you use 10km of coax, you could leave the antenna at the park and do your POTA from home, regardless the time of day or condition of weather and not have to worry about winding it or the existence of a counterpoise ...... ;-)

[@darrang7483]

That way you could do QRP with 2kW from your QTH ;-)

[@robertmeyer4744]

I use the 50 feet Pota flex 7 with reel and case for my portable work . works great . I use that reel some times as a anchor for my end fed on the ground. some times I have a counter poise. when i do choke at antenna . if coax is counter poise. choke at radio. both ways work fine. ABR has great chokes or you can make them . 73's

[@BryanDaniel42]

i go to Cedar Hill State Park regularly with my G90 and a Packtenna and I use a 1.5 ft jumper to connect the Packtenna EFRW to my G90 and have great results all over the world. If I were to go somewhere else, I carry a 25 ft length of RG8X with me just in case I need it.

[@CdnRockiesRadio]

I'm glad I watched this I was planning on getting RODE wireless, I'm going to wait and get the DJI instead. As for the fraud rumors I have heard rumors as well.

[@lyfandeth]

Potaspeed: nice! But the Velcro folks also sell hose and cable straps, that can be used to hang a similar coil of anything. Personally I use 2x50' pieces of coax. If I'm in a site with doors or windows and I need the length to get the antenna out, I use both. If I only need 50', then I have a backup cable for myself or someone else.

[@NewHamBasicsKD9ZRO]

Not getting contacts logged (as a hunter) is very frustrating. I have several contacts in several states that haven't been logged. I've saw activators that are so bad about not uploading that other hunters call them out when they activate.

[@Andrew-yx7sf]

It's also possible to make a mistake copying the call. I wonder if it was the same activator that had him in the log multiple times? If you are cheating at POTA it's pretty lame and sad at the same time.

[@aa3konthego]

I carry 50, 25 and 10 foot RG-8X for my 100 Watt activations commonly using just the 50 footer or 50 + one of the other lengths when I am at my camper. I carry 50 feet of RG-174 in my QRP kit.

[@BrianRRenfro]

The crazy thing is there are people who think POTA is important enough to lie about it. There are literally fewer things in this world less important than POTA/SOTA/Et Cetera stats and awards. It's all about the very act of just doing it and having fun. IDK maybe it's just me, someone who isn't competitive at all, but I see it almost as just a log book. A way to mark places off the map. To lie about it is only lying to oneself. Cause let's face it. No one ACTUALLY cares who has done what all in POTA. No one see's anyone else as some kind of POTA god. You see someone with a huge list and are like, "Yep...that dude made some contacts...so anyway lemme keep on scrolling..."

[@hamradiotube]

I actually agree with you. I do POTA because I love being on the RX side of a pileup. It's such a rush of fun! I could care less about points or awards, etc. I just love radio and I love being outside. It's that simple. Plus, if the zombie apocalypse were to happen, I'm pretty prepared to set up comms in the field. That and my noise floor at home is terrible. Going out to parks is a great way to have zero noise floor.

[@willian.direction6740]

Great Audio Kit Mike.

[@black75powder]

I keep keep a light track of my Hunter log and haven’t seen anything yet to be fictitious. I’ve hunted a few stations that haven’t ended up in my Hunter log. So I’m going to attribute this mostly to logging mistakes.

[@Shawn_WW5JD]

I know its probably a “it depends” answer but I would love to hear your take on EFHW vs a “wolf river coil” style vertical. Pro vs con of each style!

[@jackK5FIT]

Portable coax = 50ft of M&P Ultraflex 7 or 18ft of M&P Ultraflex 5 depending on which antenna I'm using and how far from the feed point. I have been very happy with those choices. As far as the POTA logging issue, the system is an HONOR system and should be used as such. Thanks for your activation on 20m on 3/26. I knew that voice sounded familiar 😁

[@glenncapone]

I use 20' of coax to a Chameleon 17' whip on a tripod with 6 17' radials.

[@scottpW4DVR]

Hey Mike. I know you've been asked before but where did you get the ham radio mat on your desk? I've seen some knock offs but I like your's better Thanks.

[@williambouchard4480]

In one of Mike's recent videos, he mentions it and where to get it. Since Mike puts out lots of videos it might take some searching. 😂 73. N3EDO

[@chrisgaeth]

I currently have 25' of RG-316 I use for portable.

[@kennygraves489]

I started with 50' of rg8x and it worked great. Upon downsizing I now use 25' of rg316. Radio is ft891 Antenna was random wire with tuner Antenna now is a alpha antenna hextenna with no tuner.

[@KG5RJR]

Great mailbag Monday, sure hate to hear fraud occurs in logging. Thanks for sharing the info on your mics as well and I guess Tanks gonna have to get ya a Laptop or a good bottle of something to get outta the you broke my Laptop doghouse. 😅

[@Aussat]

Good info for those that need it Mike, Again here I am and decided to purchase the Potaflex 6...... Will be interesting to see how long it takes as I ordered something from the US just on a month ago and still no delivery... still it will be good once it arrived along with the Potaflex 6 :) As always enjoy your videos, I usually run 20ft of coax although just ordered 50ft.... See what you do Mike! :D

[@foxman362]

Rooster. did you saw my sliver eagle 200 amp i bought for 25$ off fb marketplace in my local area it ham radio person solded it was his sons need the cash for it the front face was painted i had removed paint with acetone put stickers labels on it bought that printer sticker paper stuff at my DG it was week also the pills are in good condition.

[@Durang0318]

3:35 getting a call wrong is one thing, but I can think of two activators what are very well known in the community that have been called out for not actually being in the park (one of them in on the top leaderboard every year). One of them was triagluated by a group of hams over a year ago and determined to be at home and not at the park hundreds of miles away as he claimed. When called out on the air, he went silent. The other calls pota from home often, and has been docutmented by another local pota ham showing him as not being in the park, because he's physically looking and no one else is there. Nothing happened to either of them.

[@LYC54]

I am a big fan of POTA. You can find me daily in hunter mode. What I have noticed lately when I check my hunter log there are 3 or 4 entries from the same activator only at different parks all on the same day. Now I know some ops work more than one park a day, I get that. But if I have one QSO with an activator in say Park A, why would my hunter log show entries in Parks A - B - C in one day. Now I understand that perhaps the op is just now getting to contacts that he previously did not log - understandable. But when checking my log the next morning I have seen as many as 5 entries by an activator all at different parks, and I only had one contact with the activator.

[@roof_ratcv6638]

Where did you get the desk mat that is under your keyboard at your operating position? Enjoy your vids greatly. 73 de NX9P

[@hamradiotube]

From QuirkyQRP of course. www.etsy.com/shop/QuirkyQRPHamRadios?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1437009639&from_page=listing

[@Z28videogates]

Great video! Thanks for the good info.

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

@14:43 that is the true POTA-flex. 🙂

[@hamradiotube]

That's how I roll!

[@AngryBoar]

Cheaters should be reported and POTA administrators should ban cheaters for life. 🚔

[@dougtaylor7724]

The admins are having trouble just keeping up with park additions. Too few people for enforcement.

[@ae4xo]

Admins have been told about them for years

[@johnleonardelli_VE3IPS]

You only fool yourself. I tried to activate es-2150 in Seville Spain and only got 5 contacts. I have to try again. However with 3 of them I had a mini QSO. Like contests there can be times where the call is entered wrong. I have a pile of activations where I was a few short.

[@Outdoormorefamily]

It’s sad we have to do this. I downloaded an app on my iPhone called date stamper. I always take photos and save those photos with my adi log in a folder from that date and park number. Maybe that’s prior LEO, if it’s not on paper or filed, it didn’t happen. But I honestly hope they put some heat on this. Sad it’s the case.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

I don’t see the pota-flex 6 at Gigaparts ?

[@hamradiotube]

Interesting. I thought they already got the shipment. I could be wrong but I thought they got a whole pallet of it like a month ago. Oh well, you can still order direct from M&P if you want. Shipping is stupid fast too.

[@dennisAD9WM]

I carry A 25 AND A 50 (both ABR 8x). I also carry a choke made from a length of 8x and a torroid, long enough to reach from the radio to the outside of the truck cab for inclement activations . That way the short 8x gets closed in the door (gently, and not all the way), not the 50 or 25. If I have to set up with the EFHW feedpoint far away, I've got 75 feet at my disposal. CLose by- 25 feet. Really far- 75 feet. 90% of the time- 50. I always have the choke inline at the radio end, and never run a counterpoise. Works well, never had a problem. ANd as to cheating- I'm pretty strict about doing my activations "by the book" . I also had a couple contacts show up in my hunter log that I didn't make (one Data, which I don't do). Emailed both of them, no response, nothing got fixed. Don't know if it was intentional cheating, or just a fat fingered typo and they didn't want to bother with pulling the log and resubmitting. I also see a LOT of nfers logged that aren't, and car activations that can't be. My motto- you do you, I'll do me; I sleep well, hope you do too.

[@Mr.NiceGuy80]

I know a guy I believe to have falsified his POTA Logs. He's only been a ham since COVID. I feel like there's no way he works full time and is able to have gotten that many POTA activations as well.

[@chublez]

I've 25' of rg316 with bnc and a 38ish foot M&P ultraflex 5 with bnc/259 thats just what I had left over. The 316 is much smaller and lighter and great if im going to setup any distance from the truck, the flex 5 is my preference any other time and 38ish foot is enough.