Pileup Time! Pairing the QCX-Mini and PackTenna EFHW for some serious QRP SOTA fun!

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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@n4jaw]

You've really been cranking out the videos lately. I appreciate and enjoy all of them. Thanks.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, Jim! I keep listening for "JAW" over the air!

[@leathermech]

I really enjoy the things going wrong! Cold hands, cold body, and a noisy speaker that quits when it wants. I hate making mistakes and often wonder if hunters know I'm camping. No excuses, but when it rains it pours - coffee spilling, tarps coming loose, dogs barking, chairs breaking ..... All at once. You handle it with grace, Thomas.

[@W7LDT]

May I recommend you install the new AGC mod that Hans just released? I just installed 6 of them and the work very well. A good $6 to spend.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I didn't know about this! ?Yeah--I'll look into it!

[@AlGritzmacher]

I was just going to say the same thing. It's the first thing I thought when I heard it!

[@denf0j881]

Looking forward to meeting you at Branson (if I can make it). Thanks for the great videos!

[@brian-k3es680]

Great video, Thomas. Another phenomenal job working the pileup. I now recognize how easy I have it not doing video when I activate. I can just use earbuds and not worry about speakers going south! 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'd have a good 5-10 minutes extra in my activation if I didn't record them because I wouldn't need everything in frame for the activation. That can be challenging especially any activation without a table. :) Still. Worth it!

[@mikemiles3068]

Fun video❗️👍

[@kq9l115]

Another great video! I agree with what you said that it is difficult to copy CW in the field. Headphones are the way to go but I appreciate what you do so that we can hear the QSOs on your videos. 73 KQ9L

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@cwguy8960]

PLEASE send a K after your callsign when you call CQ! When do we know when you're done sending? It's a common and expected practice for every cw op. Good job on the activation - you had a good run on the QCX Mini! Mine's the 30M version - great kit, especially for the price.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So I totally agree with you about the trailing K in most CW contacts. I find, though, that most activators with POTA and SOTA don't use the K (much like contesters although field activations are definitely not contests). When I used to use a trailing K in my CQ, I found that I always missed the prefix of the chaser calling me because they're so used to not hearing a trailing K. As you say, though, it's a good practice for standard CQ calls.

[@barrykery1175]

As always, nice video. 34 degrees? No way for me. I couldn't send CW since my hands would be shaking from the cold. Hi Hi I like how simple you keep the portable station and still make some nice Q's. I try to do the same when I'm QRP/P. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Simple is always better for hike-in field situations, I think. Makes for less to go wrong. :) Thank you, OM!

[@lanceriffle4841]

sold all my paddles a couple of year ago. Started watching you and now I want to learn again. Went to CW Morse and thought it would be easy but they want to know if I want with magnets. Your recommendation if you don't mind. I am thinking without. Thanks! KQ0Q

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Magnets would be if you wanted to attach the key to, say, a metal plate for stability. I have two with magnets and two without. It's really just a personal choice.

[@bholden97]

Thanks for your videos. They are informative and inspiring. I have done some pota. (Phone) And have started mastering my CW. So some day soon. I'll jump into cw. I am hooked. 73 DE. Kc1fig

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Woo hoo! I promise: you'll love CW too. Good luck with your study and I look forward to logging you someday! You've got this!

[@TheFimbriatus]

Perhaps you could add some transcripts for folks like me, who only understand cq de. Would be interesting to hear what other stations are keying to get certain reactions from you 😂. Good vid, enjoyed it. 73.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That's a wonderful suggestion, but the trouble with me is I struggle to make time to post these videos and field reports. Adding the transcript would probably add an extra hour or more to the video process. I'd love to do it, though. One of the reasons I always keep my log in view of the camera is so that the log sheet shows all of my contacts as I make them. We'll see, though! Maybe someday!

[@TheFimbriatus]

@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks for getting back to me. I'm learning, so hopefully soon I won't need a transcript, was just wondering what you were giggling at. I know how precious time is, with work I don't really have much left, so can fully understand mate. You keep up the good work, looking forward to next video!

[@CJburk]

I think you may be getting interference from your phone being to close to the radio. I had some issues with my sw3b and quickly learned that my screen can't be on near my radio. I hope you get your sound figured out.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes--a very good point. The phone also affects my KX1.

[@JayN4GO]

Might pick up another kx2 Hahahah. Fb activation man. Hope you guys are staying warm man it’s 5 degrees here in KY. Maybe the mod for the qcx will help it.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

We're staying warm when I'm not out in the field! :) It's been chilly here, too, but no single digits yet.

[@W7LDT]

I love QCXes. I have 6. 4 Classics on 20-30-40-80, 1 Plus on 40, and 1 Mini 20. I also have the 50 watt amp for those days when QRP just doesn’t work (like trying to reach the mainland from the beach in Maui). I just home-brewed 3 EFHW for QCX specific deployments on 20-30-& 40. I’m still trying to hear you from AZ.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I was so happy this past weekend when I cleaned out a storage box and discovered the QCX+ I ordered ages ago! I've got a kit to build again! I think this one is the 40M version.

[@EricFullwood]

No to be confused with Flat Shoal Mountain (W4C/EP-004)

[@np3v3.0channel5]

Great video thanks Thomas 73 from NP3V

[@dandypoint]

I use the RIT a lot when working pileups. I tune it back and forth when I can’t pick out a call easy so I can work the guys who are not perfect zero. Still waiting on my QCX mini. 73 de N4DJ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That is the way to do things!

[@kq9l115]

Quick question, how much line do you carry in your arborist line kit? I’m putting one together and trying to decide on how much line to carry. Thanks. KQ9L

[@ThomasK4SWL]

In the kit I had that day, it was exactly 50 meters. Of course, I didn't need that much.

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

Suspecting your speaker problems are due to colder temperatures of the battery. The capacity drops when cold and is no longer enough to run it under load for very long. Probably be a great warm weather speaker.. and likely will work great when warmed up back at home for a while.. but usually no one thinks to test this stuff out before going out into the cold.. Could be batteries in the radio too, but I suspect speaker first.. Great Vids... I hope to get out to do some activations this year. (to cold for me now! +5 F for high here yesterday!)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

+5F? That's chilly especially if there's any wind at all. Yes, I suspect the cold temps were a problem. Afterwards, I realized it was likely 32 or 31 while I was up there. Those batteries are thin and likely cool quickly.

[@w2msa]

Thomas, you are a true CW warrior. Being new to CW I did a lot of rewinding trying to decode some of those calls. Congratulations on bringing your backup radio and finishing the activation. These videos help me understand what to expect on a CW activation since I've yet to do one. 73, Noel W2MSA

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Oh golly, thank you so much, Noel! I'm super pleased the videos give you an opportunity to practice.

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

Everytime I see a quality piece of gear, like CW keys, the maker is either out of business or doing limited production runs. So frustrating !! Maybe I’ll just print my own. Ugh. Awesome radios ! Looks fun. Please be safe hiking in the woods. Please bring personal protection to guard your life. Lots of Cougars, etc. (the animal 😉☺️). If you don’t carry one, consider a Personal Locator beacon device. Bands been weird last couple of days. Hope to work you soon. Love the QRP Labs Mini. The volume on that radio lol will blow your eardrums if not careful. 73, KB2QQM

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for the comments, OM! I'm going to plan to do the AGC mod to mine.

[@scottbelcher9026]

I love your videos, your principals how you make them, but there’s only one deterrent… I cannot understand Morse code, I wish some of your contacts would be vocal so I could hear at least some of the conversations… I tend to start fast forwarding through the Morse code parts… but overall, great work!!! Please keep it up!!! And the most important thing, I can tell you really enjoy the hobby!!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Scott. I'm planning to add more SSB into my activations this year. I'll be posting one soon with quite a bit of SSB/voice.

[@scottbelcher9026]

@@ThomasK4SWL that is very awesome!!! Thank you and keep up the great work!!!

[@jburchm1]

KX2 saves the day again! I'll second the recommendation to retrofit your QCX mini with the new AGC circuit. Also I'm curious why you're not using the memory keyer on the QCX mini?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The only reason I didn't use memory keying was because I had the QCX Mini set up on my backpack. The reach invited things to fall off my lap. :) I found with the speaker, wire, cables, and everything else, it was too cumbersome to log and fit everything on my clipboard, so just placed the QCX on my backpack.

[@jburchm1]

@@ThomasK4SWL makes perfect sense.

[@W7LDT]

If it weren’t windy and cold would you activate from the tower?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Heck yeah! I would likely clamp a vertical onto the railing and simply dangle a counterpoise. I think it would work amazingly well. To do that, though, I'd really need to choose a time when I wouldn't be in the way of anyone.

[@JohnCook-bx4gv]

HeLLUUU this is Thomas

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha!

[@larspregge6420]

What key u use?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So it's an N0SA SOTA paddle. FYI: I link to and provide more info about my gear in the accompanying post on QRPer.com. It's in the description below each video, but here's the link: qrper.com/2022/01/sota-pota-with-the-qrp-labs-qcx-mini-and-packtenna-efhw-on-flat-top-mountain/

[@tommycheshire5508]

How short did you trim the supplied antenna wire?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm not entirely sure. They do give you way more wire than needed, but I chipped away very slowly and tested/retested, easing my way into the SWR I wanted. I'm guessing I cut it ten times to get the point I wanted. I would hate to give a guess as to how much I cut off, though.