SOTA CW Activation of Rocky Face with the Elecraft KX2 and Chameleon MPAS 2.0 antenna

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

[@alzeNL]

Your videos are just so nice to chill out too. No stupid music, no crap, just a lovely natural commentary on what you are doing and out in the field. Thank you so much of these awesome videos.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So glad you enjoy it!

[@AllSySt3msG0]

Stop saying its not the best youtube channel in the world, I actually wait for those videos and am super happy when you publish something new. I've been re-learning morse and I'm looking forward to a pota or sota activation soon :)

[@potatoslim2332]

This is a wholesome channel that displays pota and sota in a realistic format. I haven't seen many other channels do that. It's so nice to have a passenger seat view at activations!

[@robinarnold7035]

My partner and I have just gotten back into ham radio and we are really enjoying your videos....of all the videos we’ve watched yours are our favorites. De NG8S

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, Robin! :)

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

Yes, I really love your style of raw unedited videos, I’ll probably do the same thing, but I will edit in an intro and maybe some credits at the end. Thanks for another great video. 72 de KI5JCO

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Joseph. Let us know when you post activations!

[@brian-k3es680]

Thomas, I really enjoy your unedited videos, and particularly the CW exchanges. As a new ham, you have been one inspiration for learning CW. I am really looking forward to trying some portable ops. Just waiting on a radio - TX-500 is on backorder... 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much for sharing that, Brian. I'm so glad you enjoy the videos! Let us know what you think about that TX-500! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@gingerunit]

It is great to hear and see the stations roll in. Especially after his friend's warning about poor conditions! One of the many attractions of ham radio - you just never know. Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder. Looking forward to the next one.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks so much, Chris. This is one of the amazing things about ham radio...one never knows what will happen at the other end of the ether connection! It's always amazing fun.

[@stephenw8dbc882]

Thanks for making these videos. You gave me the courage to make my first CW contact, and I'm no CW op by any means. 🤙 Edit: Also made my first POTA CW contact today. Just a thought, you could use Winlink HF to spot yourself. Send a text or email to a friend via HF, if you can reach a gateway. Would require laptop with data mode setup.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! Great job on snagging your first CW and POTA CW contacts! There'll be many, many more to follow I'm sure. So in terms of spotting, both SOTA and POTA pull from the Reverse Beacon Network. As long as you schedule in advance, you will eventually be spotted if you give clear CQ calls that the RBN pick up. This is the easiest way to be spotted. There may be a way to use Winlink, but I'm not certain. Cheers, Thomas

[@stephenw8dbc882]

@@ThomasK4SWL RR - Fine videos, it's like we are there with you. Hope to have a contact with you some day. 73 Edit: Woo hoo! Got you on 40 SSB today (3-21) on my solar powered Xiegu G90 running 20 watts. 🤙

[@Medic-ui9ms]

The MPAS seems to work well! Thanks for the video 73, NJ0Q

[@glengarritysr9997]

Great video Tom, I am truly enjoying and blessed by your videos! You bring much to the hobby in such a positive way. It's not just a radio event it's the solitude of being outdoors, simplicity and enjoying the outdoors and friends around the globe. Best 73 de WQ1L

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, Glen, for that very kind comment!

[@Oscaro9928]

Thanks for mentioning SOTA goat, seems I do have a summit only 30 miles away LOL.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's an excellent and incredibly useful app!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

The KX2 and the Chameleon antenna make a good combination for CW. Cool!

[@billcosgrave6232]

This channel is great. I usually watch each video multiple times.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So glad you enjoy it, Bill! Thank you!

[@KI4ASK]

I have spring fever so bad! Living vicariously through you and looking forward to some QRP SOTA on our 705 with my YL soon. 73 de KI4ASK es KI4HHI

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Brilliant! I hope to work you on your future dual SOTA activations! Thank you for the kind comment. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL

[@treadlightly2766]

You have such good videos, also you have a radio voice. Keep up the great activation videos, inspiring. I just got the Xiegu x5105 so hoping to activate once I get my license.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Excellent news! You'll pass your exam and we look forward to putting you in the logs someday soon! :)

[@treadlightly2766]

@@ThomasK4SWL What a nice thing to say, thank you very much.

[@johnnorth9355]

Easiest of all the channels to watch on KZbin as there are no silly tricks. The KISS principle rules ! :-) . Thomas sends out HF & the family home in on him. Spooky.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha ha!!! It's so funny because I had not seen that cousin or her husband in years. I forgot they lived in the area. Very much a surprise. Thank you for your kind comments, too.

[@dennispeake1877]

Thomas, may thanks for CW and Pota, Parks to Parks. This time we all could read what is sent and received with that camera shot. Love KX2 it's so easy to how you use it in the great outdoors. Cheers mate 73 de Dennis vk4oc. you are helping with my CW, good work mate.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks so much! The KX2 is such a fun little rig to use in the field. 73, Thomas K4SWL

[@BargainBasementHamRadio]

Thanks again! I've been working on CW copying. The worse part....getting the ham alert that you are on the air while I am sitting at work! Be safe, 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! Next time, I'll try to run 6 watts so the ham alert is louder. Hi hi! :) I'm glad you get some value out of the videos. Best & 73, Thomas

[@BargainBasementHamRadio]

@@ThomasK4SWL I'll just set up an antenna here at the shop!

[@ntc490]

What speed do you have your keyer set to? I'm getting better as I watch your videos and do more QSOs of my own. You gave me more incentive to get on the air. Keep up the great work.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Good question: typically it's somewhere between 17-19 WPM. I often don't look at it when I adjust it, I just listen to the cadence to see what feels right. But, yes...somewhere in that neighborhood. Thank you!

[@bobsteele1717]

Enjoyed as always, Thomas!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Glad to hear it, Bob!

[@rudyhardy370]

Good job! You are the best Thomas.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, Rudy!

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Thats some impressive DX, nice little run.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It was serious QRP fun.

[@radioactive5020]

Thanks for the vids. Your operating and presentation = the only channel where I will watch someone operate. Hope to work you on the bands soon. 73 de N1QDQ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I appreciate that! Thank you and yes, I hope to work you on the bands very soon! Thomas K4SWL

[@qrptedmac]

Was watching you on POTA and RBN today while at the office. Saw you were on 30m for a bit. Pretty cool That elevation helps I assume. At least some. S52AU? Slovenia? Dang. 5w.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yeah, I was very pleased to log Slovenia twice with 5 watts. I'm sure the altitude helps, but not as much as it would for VHF of course. And, yes, yesterday I was on 30 for a bit at Lake Norman, but it was dead. Very few signals there. 20 and 40 were pretty good, though.

[@eddy2561]

The current Chameleon MPAS 2.0 antenna listed for $528.....I thought the Buddistick was pricey...HOOWEE!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

They are not inexpensive.

[@JayN4GO]

Stop saying srry. You’re doing great

[@MrRadiorobot]

Are bears something you have to deal with there? I can't imagine cw ops with a side arm insurance policy.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes. But in western NC (in the mountains) we only have Black Bears. As long as you don't surprise one or get between a mom and her cubs, you'll be okay. They're pretty skittish. With that said, at least bear mace is a good precaution.

[@KE6DOA]

Can you say hello to Reese 😝

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Me: "Hey, Reece! KE6DOA says hello!" Reece: "Tell him TU and 73." Me: "Done!"