Galveston Island NYD POTA| DX Commander | WRC | SparkPlug

[@w5licanthony66]

Had a great time as always. It was also great to work the park with you guys. Till next time 73.

[@hamradiotube]

Me too buddy. It was good to see you again.

[@AmateurRadioUK]

11:30 I love the way that you are still going on the radio while the tide is coming in around your feet & everyone else is rushing to move the stuff out the way! That had me in stitches....fair play to you!!!

[@hamradiotube]

Heck yeah! Dedication pays off. I got 2 more contacts while everyone else was moving all the stuff.

[@frankwells9159]

Enjoyed talking with you and the group. KY4FW. Great video!

[@hamradiotube]

My pleasure.

[@alexdokic5567]

Hi, nice to see Hams having a good time and a laugh as well!! Not sure what happened to the tide haha, I'm watching in a warm room with the heating on as it's cold and wet outside not for shorts and flip flops! Thanks for posting the vid, 73 Alex M0KVA

[@chrisazure1624]

Not only do I miss nice weather in January, I miss What-a-burger.

[@paulgarcia1566]

3 whole jalapenos on the side and the spicey ketchup, please.

[@captbart3185]

My kids always missed What-A-Burger when jobs took them out of Texas.

[@hamradiotube]

You know, Whataburger is kinda lame, I'm not gonna lie. Everyone told me about it when I first moved here. I've been there a few times and it always disappoints me. The burgers lack flavor and the fries, don't even get me started on how crap the fries are...

[@captbart3185]

Funny how the “home” franchise always seems to be the best. My Chicago friends raved about White Castle but I didn’t like them at all.

[@Mr4Brown]

As a Michigander that moved to Texas and then other states in the south, I felt your love of shorts in January. The joy is real. KU8K

[@hamradiotube]

Oh man, isn't it the best!?

[@royarchibald6392]

Thanks for allowing me on the K8MRD show. Awesome to finally catch you on the air. Let me tell you my current antenna, speaker wire cut for 20m; feed point is the top of a 5.5ft fence, with the legs going out horizontal to nearby trees (yes, hoa). I've tried putting the DX Commander up once but was having trouble getting it tuned. I've watched your DX Commander vid about 3 times. I'm going to try again when it warms up - 5 in Indy last night. 73, KA4HOT

[@hamradiotube]

You're welcome any time haha. The DX Commander takes patience. Start with the lowest frequency and go from there. Put it up, take an SWR reading, take it down, trim, repeat. Don't be afraid to spend a whole afternoon tuning it. Your reward will certainly be worth it.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Mike, That activation was awesome. Finally heard myself in the clear. Didn't know I sounded so bassy. Sorry I missed you on the 2nd, but glad I had that contact on the first day of the new year. Take care and stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@hamradiotube]

Glad to get you in the log again Don!

[@vicowen3032]

Fun set-up, Mike. You're dressed a bit differently than when you were up here on the Oregon coast.. Since you left, here in WA, we've set some records for cold, snow & rain. All the passes over the WA Cascades are currently closed. Most of the mountain passes have received over 19 feet of snow in the last couple of weeks! Enjoy that sun! -73, Vic

[@hamradiotube]

Yes, Vic. This is how I prefer to dress at the beach lol! I'll let you have all the fun in the snow. I've had enough for my lifetime.

[@1958johndeere620]

Actually Mike, keep an eye on 12. I have made some good long distance contacts lately. I think the best was at the end of December to St Helena island. I even worked a DXpedition to Galapagos islands, and some African dxcc's I was missing.

[@hamradiotube]

It's been open a lot when I'm out actually. But all I hear is FT8 and usually i'm using an EFHW thats not resonant on 12. We never even left 20 meters this day. The pileups just kept coming.

[@W0CYC-HamRadioEndeavors]

Hey Mike! Thanks for the compliment on my audio! My setup did sound really good in your video! I should have mentioned I was on my DX Commander. I spent the week just prior to this getting it all tuned and setup. I couldn’t even hear you on my EFHW but the DXC brought you right in. By the way I bought it because of your videos 😂.

[@wildbill1]

Awesome job mike. I just got back to MI from southern Florida and did some portable operations on the beach near the salt water, with my Wolf River coil vertical, had a great time, wasn’t a pota but still was fun. Looks like you guys had an awesome time. 73 de K8OB

[@hamradiotube]

Thats OK. You were still out on the beach playing radio. That's all that matters. Sorry you had to go back to dreary old MI.

[@gaptastic]

Looks like an awesome time! And on a beach no less? Keep on keeping on!

[@hamradiotube]

It was a blast!

[@jasonk7jwn229]

Awesome video Mike! Can’t think of a better way to bring in the new year! Happy 2022 Brother! Tank cracks me up.

[@hamradiotube]

Booze and wild women would work too haha! Yes, Tank is a character for sure.

[@Dusty_Ham]

Looks like a ton of fun! I need to get more ham friends here in ZL or at least get my club more active. I'll have to sub to that Ham Radio 2.0 guy, looks like a nice small ham channel. Cool to hear a Lansing in there, I grew up just south of Lansing. I always enjoy hearing people from "back home" on the vids.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah he could use the subs lol! It's always fun to get the crew out activating together. Right on I didn't know you were from MI, or I forgot.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great video Mike, wish I was down there with you guys!!

[@hamradiotube]

You're welcome any time. We'd love to have you.

[@kenluning909]

AWESOME - I'm jealous. I used my Wolf River Take It Along on family property over New Years. Works great. Love the video. And the Wataburgers. LOL. - W5KAL

[@mikeramsey9747]

Oh sure rub it in that you are enjoying warm weather when here in Nashville TN it is only 21 degrees. Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun. I'm looking on the POTA web site but don't see any spots active for you guys.

[@hamradiotube]

It is my lifes goal to rub it in the face of all northerners henceforth. I've had to suffer the harsh weather of Michigan most of my life. I always hated it and now I am free :)

[@carlosfelix4057]

Doorman Dave bought a Sparkplug antenna at the Sandwich Hamfest in 2021, showed it to Ham Radio Nomad and me and we went looking for the guy and he was gone by then. Impressive little transformer. Now he is going to be sold out for months.

[@hamradiotube]

He's been sold out for months already. Scott has done videos on it, I've done a couple activation videos as well, but not a full review yet. Mine just shipped yesterday. I've talked to Mike a couple times now. He already knows he's screwed lol!

[@stevegriffin9552]

Hey Mike enjoyed your video. I just got through watching Jason‘s and both of y’all did a fantastic job on covering New Year’s Day on Galveston Beach. Looks like a ton of fun that you guys were having, also the pile ups wow. By the way that DX commander antenna that’s an awesome antenna. If I had the room in my backyard I think I would love to have one but it is such a small backyard with two huge trees. Thanks for putting out a fantastic video and also congratulations on the operator on his first pota . WD5ENH Steve

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching Steve. The DX Commander certainly had the lead but all the antennas performed great. I hear ya on putting one up at the house. I have a classic as well but literally no room to put it anywhere.

[@aggie1871]

Man I wish I was there. The beach some good looking guys and some ham radio!

[@hamradiotube]

Texas is open to the public. You're welcome any time lol!

[@W3GYV]

Awesome! Had You spotted this afternoon doing a POTA too. Looks great should do a mass one for winter support your Parks Day!

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah we were all spotting ourselves. Didn't really need too though. The pileups were huge! I don't think anyone has anything planned for winter support your parks. It's too close to Winter Field Day.

[@K5YVY]

WooHoo I heard my contacts ! Can count on K8MRD for having them cameras rolling lol.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah buddy. Sorry I missed you.

[@JReed305]

DXC for the win. Salt water and resonant antennas, what's not to love

[@hamradiotube]

I just wish I could stay there year round.

[@paulgarcia1566]

So glad to live in Texas!

[@hamradiotube]

It's the best!

[@cthoadmin7458]

Like to see the inside and a build video of that battery box…

[@hamradiotube]

So would a lot of people. I am going to start building and selling them though.

[@stahpit1971]

Thanks for posting! Looks like all the cool youtube ham radio guys live in Texas.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes, the coolest ones live in Texas.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Looked like a fun time! HNY & 73!

[@hamradiotube]

It was a blast. HNY

[@Brent_N4BDW]

One of these days fellas…..one of these days I’ll luck into getting you guys into my logbook. 💻

[@hamradiotube]

Glad to get you in the log Don. I actually didn't even activate on the 2nd. We were at the park but I was too busy helping someone tune their antenna. My other happy place.

[@PaulSchwanFlorida]

Enjoyed the fast paced NY Day activation. 73, Paul N4FTD

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks for watching.

[@XionUnjust]

Btw that CU3BL guy hits almost every single activation. Insane range from Portugal

[@hamradiotube]

That's awesome. I've gotten him in the log a couple times but it always amazes me.

[@JhKnife-OZ4HJ-Jimmi]

Look’s like you had a blast of a day. How long is the wire on the spark plug antenna ?

[@hamradiotube]

It was a great day. I don't know for sure but prob around 65'. My spark plug antenna just shipped so I'll have a full review soon.

[@ubergeek318]

Looks like a fun day. One day I'll catch you when your rolling. Because sideboom just got down

[@hamradiotube]

You got me in Washington.

[@ubergeek318]

@@hamradiotube was it on video though

[@kd5you1]

No one can come to Texas without going to Whataburger! :D I noticed the orange striped cups on the table. Thanks for the great video! 73 KD5YOU

[@hamradiotube]

You know, I was really disappointed in Whataburger. I find it bland at best. Not a fan. And don't even get me started on the fries. Total garbage. Thanks for watching!!

[@kd5you1]

@@hamradiotube I agree, and today's Whataburger doesn't taste the same as it did when I was a kid. I'd still prefer either homemade or something better like Fuddruckers. I think its mostly hype because its a Texas thing, or was until the company was sold out to an out of state corporation. :)

[@N3PEM]

Love it when the dudes in the Azores work my pota

[@hamradiotube]

It's awesome isn't it?

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Great video looks like lots of fun had by all. What ever happened to n4CPR Videos by Mike? I really enjoyed his videos.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah I loved Videos by Mike. I don't know why, he just stopped making videos. Great to get him in the log though. I worked him yesterday and today too!

[@mikeh4524]

Love the B-roll! LOL! -KE0VIM

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thanks so much. I had a bit of fun filming that lol!

[@carlosfelix4057]

Damn it I only got two of you that day. I ignored the call sign and only looked at the park number on the spotting page.

[@hamradiotube]

That's ok. Glad you were able make some contacts.

[@dawn4833]

Do you take any precautions for salt water or sand in the equipment

[@hamradiotube]

no

[@K5QBF]

Man I missed a good time as always, but my signal was booming. Good to know.

[@hamradiotube]

You threw me off when you said Michigan. I had to think for a minute. But yes, we were having fun without you!

[@CC-hk6vy]

Will you be doing this again this year?

[@hamradiotube]

Good question. I’m not sure.

[@DK5ONV]

That Spark Plug Antenna looks interesting

[@hamradiotube]

Mine just shipped yesterday. I'll have a full review soon. Spoiler alert, it's pretty cool.

[@DK5ONV]

@@hamradiotube Thx for the Info Mikey. I am going to watch it later on

[@Bobsbbq]

Awesome time. Glad y'all had fun. N5BSB.

[@hamradiotube]

Always!

[@denelson83]

I tried to buy a Wolf River Coils antenna system once, but they refused to sell to me for whatever unknown reason.

[@1958johndeere620]

Take it from a commercial fisherman, all those exposed wires and connections that got sea water in them, JUNK,

[@hamradiotube]

I would disagree. As someone who is from Florida, when we went fishing, scuba diving, whatever, when you get home you wash everything off with fresh water. Never had a problem.

[@1958johndeere620]

@@hamradiotube I just mean the exposed butt connectors, and exposed wire. The sea water creeps in and it will turn it green. I spray every electrical fuse panel and switch in the boat with fluid film or WD40 a few times a year. The ocean is a monster, she takes everything.

[@ReedAB8AS]

Papa POTA 😀

[@hamradiotube]

Reed!!

[@jgwimmer]

Too bad y'all had to use a 7300 instead of a 991A...hahaha....looks like y'all had fun!! Logging on a phone? typing speed 1 word per hour....what happened to the laptop? Best 73 Jeff de W5JGW

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah we wanted to use a good radio so we stuck with the 7300. I could care less what someone logs on. I log on my phone all the time. Who cares?

[@jgwimmer]

@K8MRD RADIO STUFF not a big deal just very slow, and like you I absolutely love the DX Commander for an antenna, but I find the 7300 somewhat deaf versus the 991a

[@kh6qmchristophercolquhoun695]

Great

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks