Can I validate it? Speedy QRP POTA Activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway with the IC-705!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

qrper.com/2023/07/nail-biter-of-a-quickie-pota-activation-on-the-blue-ridge-parkway/ Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

One Toss Tommy strikes again! There were no Hams injured during the filming of this video.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! :)

[@RonKC2PSA]

Thank you Thomas for the excellent contact! It was my first time contacting you. 22:50 You inspired me to study CW after trying years ago and getting on the air in a portable fashion. I joined the Long Island CW Club on Jan 31st and made my first CW contact on May 11th. I made 17 contacts on my first POTA activation (by myself) on July 8. Great job listening to the radio while talking with passersby. Keep up the great work. Your videos are informational, entertaining, and inspirational! 73 de Ron KC2PSA👍

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for the kind words, OM!

[@noisetinker]

It’s interesting how Asheville popped up on my radar thanks to two different interests, POTA and electronic music. Looks like a nice area around there!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

We're big Moog fans here!

[@noisetinker]

@@ThomasK4SWL It gets worse. Talked to a new colleague at work a few days ago. He moved to Sweden as a kid but before the he live in... Asheville. Love these kind of coincidences.

[@noisetinker]

@@ThomasK4SWL Oh btw, just did a lightning fast POTA activation (my 2nd) on my lunch break today. Definitely got inspired by you to try to squeeze them in when there almost isn't enough time :) 72 SA7DAI

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Brilliant! @@noisetinker POTA is highly addictive. :)

[@shanejackson1973]

It's all good, Thomas! We blind people love listening to the ambience! You just keep doing what you're ding!😊

[@BruceRobertson]

Even as a sighted person I enjoy simply listening to Thomas’ videos while cooking or cleaning.

[@shanejackson1973]

@@BruceRobertson I get that, for sure. He does such a fine job!

[@JonathanKayne]

Looks like you had about as much luck as I did when i activated and we met up in May. That activation was a struggle to get done. Glad to see the 705 getting some fresh air.

[@Relayer1974]

"Why do we have to cut these things so close?" - Marty McFly and Tom, Probably

[@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio]

Your mystery caller was VE1PVH, I recognised the slighlty yooopey CW as he has regularly hunted me. I think Paul uses a Clansman radio.

[@k9eihamradio]

Thomas, this is how Field Day should be performed! As fast a possible!

[@qrplife]

The public interaction in this video demonstrates what a challenge it can be to actually communicate what we are doing out there when your window of opportunity is narrow and you’re trying to keep the activation moving. Even when you try to use common language you realize that even basic concepts of amateur radio, like 5 watts is low power, is meaningless to most people walking by.

[@Derrick6162]

Enjoyed, Thanks for sharing👌

[@bobave2463]

De W4PGX. I am in Wayneville on vacation from Florida. I am going up the Parkway today with my FT-817ND, Buddistick, Arrow Antennas.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I hope you had fun! Lots of great spots to POTA and SOTA there!

[@N2AKJ]

Hi Tom are you gonna try and activate a park today

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm not sure yet. Quite possibly. I'm traveling today.

[@N2AKJ]

@@ThomasK4SWL ok np I'll most likely be @k-2114

[@w4mkh]

I recognized every bit of that drive and know right were you set up. I usually do the BRP in the fall so seeing all the green was nice. Also glad to see the 705.

[@Johnmfoss]

Well, I didn’t think you were going to get it. I would have probably grabbed a battery and turned the power up to 10w. Good job sticking it out.

[@dk3uh847]

You are my hero Thomas! Greetings from Germany! Uwe DK3UH! Great activation!

[@Zapruderfilm1963]

Well I guess I came through in the nick of time.😁 Awesome Thomas! You are very very welcome my friend! 73 de N1XV

[@JeffCowan]

Great quick activation.

[@votisb]

How do you like the CWMorse Aluminium paddle? I've been trying to decide what /p one to get and this has caught my eye...

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I love it! I think it's a good one for someone with a heavy fist. :)

[@votisb]

@@ThomasK4SWL thank you. I'll still trying to decide which /p paddle to get and this is high on the list plus we have a distributor in the UK which helps. Love you videos - keep up the good work :). I'll be getting out and about with my /p set up soon partly inspired by you...

[@votisb]

@@ThomasK4SWL well I bought one and took it out today. Very very impressed. Accurate, sturdy and just the right size in my hand. I'm really getting into /p ops. Will be out again tomorrow. My wedding anniversary but I'll be out in the moors 🤣.

[@N2AKJ]

And if so what band and time I might just go to a pk and activate today it's like 97% humidity today might do it from the csr

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I did an activation on Monday. Sorry--I can't check comments here on KZbin daily. It's more like weekly.

[@N2AKJ]

@ThomasK4SWL ok Tom no prob I'll be @k-2114 today on 20m cw I don't have 40m capability hope we work each other agn best 73's De n2akj ..

[@dorvinion]

I like the video introduction in the car - get to see more of the smokies Your videos had a hand in encouraging me to start learning morse Last week I felt like I had learned enough of the common letters/numbers to justify ordering a radio (IC-705) and it surprisingly shipped a day or two later. Still waiting on some components to build some antennas to arrive, but should be hopefully be POTA hunting before too long. Had a general license for about 4 years now but have never done anything with it

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You are going to love the IC-705! And I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos. Thank you!