The Elecraft KH1: My first SOTA activation with this new handheld QRP transceiver!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

qrper.com/2023/11/my-first-sota-activation-with-the-new-elecraft-kh1-handheld-qrp-transceiver/?swcfpc=1 Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Nice tag-along Thomas; you really have your gear worked out. I'll have to check out the KH1 in more detail. I hope your kids share your love of hiking through nature, if not radio. Thanks, Steve KZ5MSE

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

Great video Thomas…first time I comment. Glad I found you! I ordered a KH1 and hopefully coming soon…what a great little radio! Now, semiretired I’m committed to learn morse code. BTW, I fully agree with your concept to let your brain do the filtering…I do and work great. Keep the videos coming… just starting to catch up with all your earlier ones.. be safe.. Cheers, Alex K9YTT

[@NS6X]

I carry a radio in my trunk at all times. Not too much equipment - a Mission RGO One, KX2, a K1 and a KX1. A homebrew delta loop that was inspired by the Chameleon Tactical Delta Loop. Easy setup, and have SSB options. Few trees in my area of southern California, 12 miles from the beach, doesn't have many trees at the parks or the local summits for wires. But, the KH1 that I am waiting to have delivered will make it even easier. Bicycle mobile to a POTA or SOTA site. No need for trees. Only issue is that I have come to use 10 meters a lot. I have been making the majority of my qsos on 10. So will still need a second radio as 10, and 6, are too much fun to let go away. Glad to see that the KH1 is usable when sol is cooperating.

[@cwqrpportable]

Hi Thomas. The more I watch your videos on this little gem, the more I want it! That rig fits your operating style perfect and I know I could make good use of it.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Enjoyed the entire activation including the hike in and out!

[@RadioExpeditionProject]

Thank you Thomas. Greetings from Texas. 🤝

[@adrianfewster8391]

With those trees, a wire thrown up for main antenna to compare to whip would be interesting.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes. Check out my Bakers Mountain SOTA video with a random wire!

[@davidnieding292]

Hi Thomas, What I love about your videos and activations is how we get to view the entire experience! I am so impressed with the Elecraft KH1 that I just ordered one (8-10 weeks lead time) and at age 76 hope to learn Morse Code again and work you in an activation in late 2025. Thanks so much for all you do in the Amateur Radio Community. Best Regards, WD8JIX, Ohio

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much for the kind comment, OM! :) I hope you enjoy that KH1!

[@JonathanKayne]

45:29 you almost got it! That was me, KM4CFT, not KM4CFM. I was also working you pedestrian mobile with my KX2.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Dang it! :) So cool that you were pedestrian mobile!

[@nckeller]

West coast and Europe, wow! Thanks for the excursion.

[@RadioExpeditionProject]

Great hike up to the summit! 👏👏👏👏

[@robertallbright]

Great stuff Thomas KH1 looks like a winner👍 73 Rob G3RCE

[@CiemonDunville]

Really great idea to call DX occasionally to pull out those weak stations. Thank you!

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Great DX and cross country coverage!

[@elradiohead]

Nice, I’m going to spend two weeks this month activating summits in that area. I will ad that one to my list of options. Thanks!

[@w2aew]

Pretty impressive that you could still hear *my* reply when the counterpoise fell off! The color of those distant peaks during your hike back looks like a painting - wow!

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Spotted you on RBN for this one and could not hear you! so missed you on this one. but still hunting. ! will get to work this new rig yet!. thanks for sharing. de Ellis WA1RKS

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

One thing I have always been told when ever out on a hike in bear country is to make noise, which bears tend to avoid. Talking to us while walking is probably a good thing for keeping bears away a bit while hiking.. at least you wont come upon one and startle it... Very good video! Ordered my KH1 the day after it was brought out... I hope to get it before Christmas! 73

[@johnzarubajr]

Hello Thomas, great demo of the KH1. Mine's on order and I get more excited every time I watch an activation. For me though, the best part of your video is the "staring over your shoulder" vibe. The virtual coaching has helped me smooth out my POTA activations. When I first started watching a couple of years ago I'll admit I would watch the beginning and fast forward to near the end when you summarize the activation. Now I watch every minute for the "head copy" practice and you've really helped me get comfortable with it. Thanks for the great videos! 72 de K2ZA

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much. That, sir, is the highest compliment! :)

[@billcosgrave6232]

The more I see this radio in use, the more ways I can think of using it.

[@carolannefisher1516]

I just realized what I am looking forward to the most abt owning a KH1 is having it casually available at all times (thankfully I’m a many pocketed animal). I absolutely love my little KX2 kit, but I only have it w/ me when I’m planning to use it. Very much like my portable art kit (for which I’ve built a dedicated larger knee desk). It’s nice, but by far, mote sketching gets done in the little sketchbook and pen I always have with me. I believe this radio will change everything!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

This is a game-changer in so many ways, Carlo Anne. It's so amazing to have a radio that's ready to hop on the air anytime, anywhere!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh, FYI: Joshua has been trying to reach out to you! His new callsign is N5FY.

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

I knew the original K4SWL who got his call sign by chance when he passed the general. He Enjoyed driving Volkswagen buses and passed away without leaving his calll sign to anyone in particular.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Others have contacted me to tell me about the original K4SWL. Thank you!

[@lescalger5336]

Hi Thomas. I love your videos. I have done a few POTA activations on SSB, but you have inspired me to step up my CW skills. I find your videos very helpful in sorting out the protocols. Thanks again, AG5ES.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for the kind words and all the best on your CW journey!!!

[@adrianfewster8391]

Do you carry a gun or mace for bears etc ?

[@genedomenici8294]

Very nice.,Thomas! BTW which bandwidth filter are you using?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hmmm...I'm not sure what I was using in this activation.

[@North49Radio]

Hey, a fellow Canadian! I never knew that.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So, I'm not Canadian, but I spent quite a lot of time in Canada and I'm also VY2SW. :) So *almost* Canadian!

[@North49Radio]

@ThomasK4SWL Oh dang, thought we had a ham radio celebrity. Still awesome videos. Thanks for taking the time to make them. They are really helpful for learning call signs.

[@JamesBoddie]

Did your arm get tired of holding the radio up while using it for long periods?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

No I didn't. And, in fact, I've had a tendon problem in my left hand. I completely forget I'm holding it!

[@romanomorelli2831]

Thank you for nice video would love to have seen this little radio work with a more serious wire antenna for continental DX that would fully christen the KH1 for me 73s EI5EN.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Stay tuned! ;)

[@tysonherzog8010]

Hello Do you see the tree that has a face on it . It looks like a old man or a bear . 1min 29 seconds . It's on the left side . Like always great video.

[@PatFortino]

Thanks for the video. Nice to see the radio in action. Is there any way to change the sound of it? It sounds like a cheap toy when you're sending.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I carry bear mace.

[@va3ma-danhoward]

Nice! Nope the side tone quality will be improved! I find it quite annoying - VA3MA

[@adventuresofbobandlana4939]

Thanks Thomas. What monopod are you using for your camera? And you are keeping me satiated until my kh1 arrives. N7KHH

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I use this tripod: amzn.to/3Zbuz7A

[@timkeene2717]

Another nice video. Tnx. I believe the RBN will spot you 1hr before and 2hrs after. Tim - K5DEZ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The RBN will pretty much always spot. It has more to do with how the SOTA spots page works. I may be wrong, but I was thinking it was 30 minutes before and one hour after. I honestly can't remember, though! :)

[@petemillis4666]

I'd love to get my hands on the KH1. But for the life of me I can't think why Elecraft would release it with that dreadful sidetone. What were they thinking? Excellent video though. 73 M2KXZ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I’m under the impression Elecraft is working on the sidetone. Funny, but I really pay very little attention to sidetone characteristics as long as I can hear the sidetone. If I hear it, I’m good. The filter between my ears just accommodates it. This is why I rarely ever even change sidetone frequency on my radios and why they’re all different.

[@petemillis4666]

@@ThomasK4SWL I reckon I would quickly get used to it, and like you, I don't really mind what the sidetone pitch is. What do you think of the built in key? I've got a KX1 with the key that attaches and it's ok but I prefer using a BaMaKey TP-III.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@petemillis4666 the key action takes some getting used to. I do believe over time it will be modified.

[@felixblacke]

It's really sad about the bears. What's worse is once those bears get comfortable with humans they will often have to be put down for the safety of the people. "A fed bear is a dead bear." Really breaks my heart.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Breaks my heart too.

[@barrywendon5168]

TNX Thomas another good Video as always. Is your Daughters interested in Ham Radio Hi. 73 De G6JMX

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes, they are both licensed, actually!

[@heitorvrb]

The problem with sidetone is not the fixed frequency tone. It's the buzzing. The timbre. It's pretty ugly.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I’m under the impression Elecraft is working on the sidetone. Funny, but I really pay very little attention to sidetone characteristics as long as I can hear the sidetone. If I hear it, I’m good. The filter between my ears just accommodates it. This is why I rarely ever even change sidetone frequency on my radios and why they’re all different.

[@FM-us3rd]

That is awesome. Thank you for the great real time ⏲️ activation!