Pairing the Elecraft KX2 with the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 at Lake James State Park

Click here to read full details about this activation, including equipment links, at QRPer.com:
qrper.com/2021...
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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@kristhompson8112]

Not even a little leaf moving on the trees. OMG soooo still , incredible day water like glass. 12 watts may never ever make it down to little old New Zealand but we are watchin you work your magic..

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Kris! I'd love to be in NZ activating some summits! I'm pretty envious of the number of amazing summits you have!

[@Peterbircsak1]

Hey Thomas you have a gift of a very relaxing voice. In this crazy world you offer a retreat . Good job. I’m getting back on the air after mucho years. Good job at keeping it real and the ego out!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks so much, Peter.

[@steveh1130]

I second what Peter said. Entertaining, relaxing, and yet motivational.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@steveh1130 very kind of you both to say that. Thank you!

[@akeem11h]

I agree with Peter, Thomas has that calm personality that make you want to listen more. Great video again Thomas.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@akeem11h thank you so much.

[@tom_olofsson]

I already have an MPAS 2.0 and my KX2 is on order. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

My pleasure and great combo!

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

it's -4 fahrenheit here now, so it's always a pleasure to live vicariously through your videos! 73 de KI5JCO.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Wow! There's no way I could send any reasonable CW in -4F. :) Thanks, OM! 73 de K4SWL

[@jeangys]

I am going to retrain my brain for CW good job.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Go for it! Take it easy and let your brain do the work for you. It'll come with time.

[@lasantiagoa]

Really fun watching your videos. Enjoying them very much! Great work!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Glad you like them!

[@SteveSmith-fs8dn]

What a fun time that was getting all those P2Ps for our 9-mile DX! Glad to finally be the right distance to work you, Thomas. KC5F

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It was brilliant, Steve! After all the C-19 stuff is over, we'll have to tag team a park and do P2Ps from 160 to 6, 2M and 440! :) K4SWL

[@orionjaziel7342]

I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

[@kennethdexter6503]

@Orion Jaziel instablaster ;)

[@orionjaziel7342]

@Kenneth Dexter Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@orionjaziel7342]

@Kenneth Dexter DAMN IT REALLY WORKED :O I literally hacked my instagram password within about 45 minutes of using the site. Just had to pay 15 bucks but for sure worth it =) Thanks so much, you really help me out!

[@JonFlyTV]

You may want to drop the GA GM GE after their callsign, it confuses some - just some innocent feedback. And maybe drop anything beyond CALL RST ( and thats it ) but then again some would say this takes away the "friendly" but the TU is friendly :) Really enjoyed watching this and your previous activations. Hope to work you on the air soon.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's funny because GM, GA and GE have become so standard in POTA exchanges, it's almost weird not to hear them. :) In fact, it's funny but my CW mentor actually told me with POTA to include it and/or a TU in the exchange. I often send the wrong thing though, like GA in the morning. :)

[@JonFlyTV]

@@ThomasK4SWL I guess my mindset is from a Dxpedition or contest and this is neither but I guess if there is quite a pileup, shortening may be in order? Awesome stuff.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@JonFlyTV oh you've definitely got a good point. There are some ops that you can tell come from a contesting/DXing background and they keep their exchanges short. I do think it's a good idea when it gets really busy and when bands are flaky. I have been to the field before and gotten a proper CW pileup and worked through it as quickly as possible. I feel like the folks in the pileup not only understand, but appreciate it. Thank you!

[@billhughes5736]

Thomas, I’m really enjoying your videos. I have the KX1, KX2 and KX3,all with limited use. You’re videos are inspiring me to spend more time with them. I’ve never done POTA or SOTA and want to start these. What is the logging program you are using, please. 73, Bill K6HB.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Excellent, Bill! You've got three amazing field radios there. You can certainly get in on the POTA and SOTA action--warning, though, as it's terribly addictive. I log on paper and sometimes simultaneously on my Windows tablet with N3FJP. Many, however, have been touting the free app called HAMRS. It's super simple and supposedly, quite effective! Good luck and hope to work you on the air! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@jamesyounce2231]

The W6 you missed was W6LEN 73 Jim K4ZM

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh shucks. I would like to have gotten him in the logs. He's a big WWFF activator.

[@gsansoucie]

Aha. Now I know what happened. I saw your call come up on 17m while I was on 18.078 calling CQ (possibly in a QSO) so I moved to .084 when I got the chance and I couldn’t hear you. You may have moved to pick up KC5F (who got me this past Saturday). I saw a signal in my PX3 at first though. To be fair, I’m in Maine and 17m runs to FL, AZ, UT, OR, and WA in this wide arc for me so I might not have logged you at all. I do look for your call through. And that is my mantra when /p Random wire for me, I have no patience with messing around with my antenna to change bands. de W1ND.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks for looking out for me to pop up on the bands! Yes, I'm betting it might have been a stretch for 18M to ME. I think most of my contacts to your part of the world are on 30 meters--possibly 20. I always like putting Maine in the logs! I look forward to working you soon! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@MrCowboybud]

Love your videos!! FB 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@qrptedmac]

Man that pile up was confusing. Now I know why dx’pdition teams run split. I’ve never been on the receiving end. Always sending.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

This isn't even close to anything DXpeditions are used to either. The insanity of those pile-ups are crazy. Pulling them apart with split is about the only way to make it work. Fortunately, with POTA and SOTA it's much easier.

[@throttleupprepper]

Hello! I am a blind ham in Mooresville North Carolina. I have a KX two and I’m trying to get a hold of the Chamaeleon MPAS light… Can’t find it anywhere! Let me know if you wanna sell one of your Chamaeleon verticals! Thanks and 73

[@BargainBasementHamRadio]

Very cool! I added you to Ham Alert, but was unable to hear you the other day...most likely too close. I am also an amateur photog! By the way, what software are you using for your portable log?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I use N3FJP's ACLog. It's brilliant! I hope to put you in the logs, soon!

[@Stevenfclark]

Great video, I have the kx2 and appreciate your content 73 de N1AD

[@mikeroberge5488]

Have you noticed any performance difference between the MPAS 2.0 and the Lite. I see you have used both.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

No I have not. Honesty, when I have the time, I've thought about doing a side-by-side comparison with an antenna switch. I'm guessing the 2.0 will have a *slight* edge on the Lite. I'm actually packing the Lite this morning for a SOTA activation with about 2,000 of vertical ascent. The whip *just* fits in my pack!

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

I’m looking into the kx2 for POTA/SOTA. I live right between the Adirondacks and Catskill mountains and want a nice light rig

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The KX2 is a *very* solid choice!

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

@@ThomasK4SWL awesome to know. I’m also learning cw with the Long Island cw club. When was this activation?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@brentOhlookAsnake That's a great way to learn CW--I've heard so many good things about their program. This activation took place on Feb 9, 2021.

[@JohnVK5JAK]

@@ThomasK4SWL Is the KX2 newer than the KX3?

[@1964SABO]

Does it take long to get the Chameleon MPAS 2.0? They are on backorder. The spike you use in the video, is that the one that comes with it or the $50 accessory one?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm not sure what shipping times are like at present. Yes, that is the spike that comes with the MPAS 2.0 and MPAS Lite. It's a fine piece of engineering.

[@TridentMissileTech]

It seems that the sqell is typical of the electra craft transceiver. ???

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm not sure. In this case, it could be the fact I had the volume turned up loud for the camera. Elecraft KX transceivers have excellent audio--just not through their internal speakers. :)

[@ntc490]

What did WD9IGY send after '5nn'? 'di dah dah dit dit' twice? I almost thought he was asking for confirmation of the RST you sent? 'di dah dah dit dit' sorta sounded like a '?'.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hmmm...I'll have to go back and listen to that.

[@gsansoucie]

He sent “WI”

[@ntc490]

@@gsansoucie Thank-you. I still struggle when people don't send with lots of timing between letters and words.

[@AlpineWarren]

Is it basically an end fed half wave in that configuration?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Good question. I think it is more akin to a random wire because it's not resonant on any one band, but within an easy match on each.

[@Stevenfclark]

What are you using for a keyer? 73 de N1AD

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The paddle is made by CW Morse--I highly recommend it: cwmorse.us/product-category/pocket-paddles/ The actual keyer is built into the KX2. The KX2 has adjustable electronic keying and even CW memory keying! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh-I see you have a KX2, so you know that last bit! :)

[@Stevenfclark]

@@ThomasK4SWL just order it! 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@Stevenfclark it will not disappoint. :)

[@adityamarcelanmelandri2294]

K45WL KHTSWL