POTA Activation with EFHW - QRP CW (K-4451)

EFHW antennas are not bad antennas, just not what I like to use for POTA. Maybe the cover photo is a bit dramatic. Hah, all in good humor.
I much prefer simple verticals because I like to spend my time on the air rather than throwing a throw line (or attempting to…) but tried, I did! And still had a great time in the early morning on 4/28/23 doing a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Tuskegee National Forest (K-4451).
Thank you for watching and joining me for another activation!
72 de W4ARB dit dit
Gear:
Radio - Lab599 Discovery TX-500
CW Key - Bamatech BaMaKeY TP-III
Antenna - Par EndFedz EFT-MTR 40/30/20m
Chapters:
Intro & Antenna - 0:00:00
Hanging the Antenna - 0:01:41
Gear Overview - 0:02:10
On the Air - 0:05:24
Outro & QSO Map - 0:34:55

[@DXJungle]

Thank you 🤝 Watching your older videos today. 😁

[@w4arb]

Thank you! Hah, this one is a while back! I’ve gotten much better at throwing a line since this 😅

[@richardp5161]

A fishing rod and a one ounce pyramid sinker has never failed me for an EFHWA. I get 40 feet without a problem. Cast it up and tie the antenna to the end where the sinker was - pull it up and get POTA'ing!!

[@w4arb]

now that’s a good way to do it!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for sharing. Yes, would expect horizontal/sloping dipole to give higher radition angle for shorter skip just as you thought... Don't give up on EFHW. If you work out an easier way to get the line up, EFHW is great for QRP/P. They work, as you demonstrated. Efficient, compact, light, can get away with no counterpoise, hardly any feeder required and work on multiples of fundamental frequency - you can even add links or traps to cover more bands.

[@w4arb]

I agree! They work great especially considering how small they pack. Several folks on this video gave me tips on how to throw the throw line and next time I tried only took two attempts! I’m going to keep trying and get better at it. 73!

[@user-tl5tt5yw3c]

What I did was bought an extra section for my roof snow rake and it's about 30 feet long and iduct taped a hook ,I lay it on the ground put the line over the hook and then reach up and let go of the rope with a weight,then tie to any insulated and pull it back up over the branch,the pole gives me more accuracy to the branch I want

[@w4mps1964]

I try to avoid shooting wires up in the trees for POTA. Instead, I use an extendable fiberglass mast to deploy either a 40 M EFHW or a 40 M doublet. Lots of ways to secure the mast (must be 50 videos about that). But normally I use a drive over mast mount and operate from the back seat of my car. Of course the stealthiest option, and the one which doesn’t seem to attract curious rangers or passersby, are hamsticks mag mounted on the car roof. Not as efficient as the wires but never had a problem making 20-30 contacts. Also easy-peasy, HI. It’s all fun. 73, Marc, W4MPS

[@w4arb]

I’m with you! I don’t use wire antennas for POTA anymore after a few months ago when the VA issue with wildlife conservation areas came up. I just use verticals and a mag loop and have great results. 73!!

[@w2aew]

I've had a lot of success with the two-handed underhand throw, where the weight swings between your legs. A lot of control with this method, and no rope burns.

[@w4arb]

thanks for the tip! i’ll have to try it. i haven’t tried that.

[@alanb76]

@@w4arb Looking at utube most arborists seem to use the two handed underhand throw. I've been using it and reaching 60 feet of height, usually 1-3 throws. Practice helps! When I want to go higher, the CSV17 Pneumatic Antenna Launcher does the job. :) 73 de w6akb.

[@tommcmichael8679]

Thanks again! I enjoy your vids!

[@w4arb]

thank you! 73!

[@signalscout6020]

I didnt realize who i was chatting about bags with on discord 😂 I like the channel. A couple things i aspire to do, cw and pota activations. I think wire antennas have potential for me because there seems to be a little less bending to the ground for staking and tuning, etc.

[@w4arb]

hah that’s me! thanks man. do it! CW is a blast. just takes determination to do it. wire antennas are great, it just takes me much longer to set them up. i like my verticals and mag loops 😅

[@W4EMB]

DE W4EMB, great to work you. Thanks for the vids!

[@w4arb]

absolutely! i remembered your call when i heard you on the air. thanks for the QSO! 73 de W4ARB dit dit

[@brianve7jyd943]

a good Bama Boy shud be able to get that in the trees - jus like huntin squirrels lol nice vid much obliged - 73 dit dit ps passed 1400 pota activations hunted last nite since Sept 23

[@w4arb]

Hah! You’re right. I’ve gotten a lot better at it since this video but I still don’t use wire antennas too often. I just prefer verticals and magloops. 73!

[@ae4xo]

I throw the whole roll of road up while holding the end of the rope. I only use end feds for my activations. Works every time

[@w4arb]

they are great antennas. if i had better throwing aim, i would use them a lot more often! i do love my verticals though. 73!

[@ae4xo]

@@w4arb you know everyone has their favorite. That's a good thing

[@k9eihamradio]

Yep. In my last activation video, it took me like an hour to hand the antenna. But I got the EFHW up 30 feet... I need to try a vertical.

[@w4arb]

Haha I feel the pain!! I’ve gotten a little better at it since this video and trying some of the tricks folks offered but verticals are still my go-to :)

[@mattsartori2624]

Great video 😊Aaron congratulations nice rig and a lot of contacts 73 dit dit!!!

[@w4arb]

thank you! 73 dit dit!

[@loraz0]

I carry a fishing pole. 10m pole, and attach the wire using a plastic lid from instant coffee. I hate throwing lines, and sometimes you won't find a suitable tree.

[@w4arb]

The plastic lid is pretty genius! I just got a SOTA beams pole and I’m going to be giving that a go this week. I normally stick with verticals and have great results with them, but I like to try all kinds of things. :) 73!

[@WG7D]

My slingshot works good for this.... Thanks for the video, I subscribed to you! WG7D

[@w4arb]

Thank you! I haven’t tried a slingshot, but I have gotten a little better the last few weeks at using the arborist throw weight & line. 73 dit dit

[@dsharaf]

Good News! My MTB-4B (v.2) arrived this week.😊 73, WA1SFH

[@w4arb]

that’s great news! i was one of the last 10 of the last batch. i bet mine will be the next week or so. how are you liking it?

[@RobPetty622]

You might try getting a sling shot and an arborist weight. Works wonders.

[@KC1PSK]

I use a Wolf River Coil. So amazing!

[@w4arb]

very nice! verticals are my favorite and i have several in my rotation. The Gabil GRA-7350T and the Chelegance MC-750 are two of my favorites. 73!

[@KF4LXS]

Excellent video. My kids are still asking when they’ll get their Nintendo switch case back. 😂

[@w4arb]

thank you! it’s crazy how well the TX-500 fits in a switch case! convenient. 73!

[@timneely946]

@@w4arbVery nice video Aaron. Could you please share the name or the type of case you used for your cords. Thanks, de Tim KE6PMA

[@w4arb]

@@timneely946 Thank you! Here's the link to the pouch I use: amzn.to/48j6txo

[@southernexposure123]

You tried several different tree limbs. I seldom have to make more than 3 throws. Three throws is usually because my string hangs on something on the ground OR I was standing on the string. lol I pick one limb and make that my only target. Many times I hit it the first throw. Other's recommendations are also worthy. The ones that say gloves are good and throw under handed as if playing soft ball. The EFHW antenna gave you a nice pile up. I recently made a few verticals gound mounted. One is an aluminum extension ladder. ha ha Sigs are loud on RX, but my inverted vee gets me better RSTs from the other end. Keep up the good work. 72

[@w4arb]

I’ve gotten a little better, especially using the underhand swing between the legs. Lol. But verticals are still my go-to. Elevating the radials off of the ground makes a huge difference, but i also get great performance off of a Chelegance MC-750 17’ vertical with 4 ground radials. 73!

[@southernexposure123]

@@w4arb I watched you use that antenna on another video. It did a real good job. For the higher frequency bands I'm looking for a tree here at home I can hang a vertical dipole from. Instead of just one radial on the braid I'll hang 3 radials (2 radials might work almost as well) and hold them apart with small diameter PVC pipe or a dowel. I used to make them that way for 11 meter customers. They're more broad banded with the 3 radials hanging at an angle. The design is based on a picture I saw once of a 2 meter solid wire GP. Customers recommended them to friends they were so happy with them. It's possible to get them high enough to make a difference IF they're mounted on a stand pipe, either steel or PVC. That's inconvenient for POTA (unless the pipe pieces are segmented short) but for a home station it's reasonable. Of course so are yagis for those frequencies. I'm enjoying your content.

[@w4arb]

That sounds like a fascinating antenna. I’ve seen vertical dipoles, but I don’t believe I’ve seen the radials formed like that. Thank you!

[@southernexposure123]

@@w4arb If you try it all the best of luck with them. Of course you already know that a horizontal dipole rotated to vertical will need retuning. 🙂

[@michaelko4ehb578]

I understand your frustration about the throw line. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it myself. With a little practice it will become second nature. I would second the advice from elsewhere in the thread that an underhanded between-the-legs throw is really good too. A cheap pair of work gloves will relieve any rope burn issues. I only work SSB and having an antenna that lets me jump around the bands with just the press of a button on my radio is very appealing. Thanks for the video and I look forward to more! 73

[@w4arb]

Thanks for the insight! I’ll have to try that method of throwing. I also just got a SOTA beams mast that I’m going to try out (probably Wednesday morning and will upload a video with it). I do love my vertical antennas though! 73!

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

@@w4arb your in my old stoping ground grew up in montgomery alabama area most of my life @aaron bowman

[@w4arb]

very cool. i live in Notasulga, about half way between auburn and montgomery. Been in the area since 2002. are you still in the area? 73

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

@@w4arb i am not still got family in montgomery and southern alabama if here the names meyers most likely that my kin hopint to get down that way some time might take a trip with my family to ga so if i get down there we should meet up. I build and design alot qrp products hoping to put them on the market soon as i can find some qrpers to test my items. I make baluns for qrp antennas speakers sys etc with all qrpers in mind

[@w4arb]

very cool! i activate in either Tallassee or Tuskegee 3-4 times a week. always right at sunrise. do you have a website or anything for your products?

[@jcvee15]

Great video, Aaron. How do you like the BaMaTech key? 73.

[@w4arb]

thank you! the bamatech is great, it’s my favorite small paddle and stays in my bag with me all the time. 73!

[@robslagle]

air cannons make hanging those antennas so much easier.

[@w4arb]

no doubt. but i don’t think it would fit in my backpack :) i use wire antennas at home all the time, i just don’t like fooling with them in the field. unless perhaps with a mast. going to be trying that soon!

[@elsuperpollo2273]

Very cool video kq4hcu

[@w4arb]

TU & 73!

[@housesOTR]

Have you used a slingshot for that throw?

[@w4arb]

i haven’t tried that but good idea! i also just got a SOTA Beams mast. going to use that soon instead of practicing my athletic abilities. hah.

[@jimw7ry]

Had to dig to find out what frequency you were on. 7.062 MHz. Cant see your display....

[@w4arb]

yes, sorry it’s difficult to make the screen and the logbook readable from the camera. i prioritize the logbook. 73!

[@jimw7ry]

@@w4arb Then just say what frequency your on. You never moved the dial the entire video. Thanks

[@w4arb]

James, I appreciate the feedback and I will try to think of it. However I must point out that this is just a guy sharing videos of his hobby. I’m not a professional or getting paid for this so I can’t put endless effort into perfecting it… 73!

[@dannybryant4440]

I am still trying to work you early in the morning, what fret's do you operate? I cant see it on your rig. W5CI

[@w4arb]

I operate 40 and 30 meters the most. If they’re available, my favorite frequencies are 7.062 and 10.112. I plan will be on tomorrow morning around around 7:00 AM central and quite likely i’ll be on 10.112. 73 and hope to catch you on the air!

[@maneroification]

Thanks for the video! It doesn't seem to be flipping over to HD, any chance you need to bump something on the YT side?

[@w4arb]

Thanks for letting me know. That’s the second time thats happened recently where it uploads without a problem, but then in creator studio it says it’s still processing the HD version. hopefully it will resolve itself soon. last time it did after several hours.

[@maneroification]

@@w4arb Looks like it's better now

[@EricFullwood]

Mount the key onto a clipboard and you'll always have a hand free.

[@ve2zdx]

Before even watch I’ll guess, maybe it’s the same reason I don’t like efhw. Verticals have a bit more gain in the lower angles, meaning more DX. Second, in my vertical I use 12 counterpoises. Which causes it to listen better. Efhw are fine for swr, but the lack of radials causes it to hear less 73!

[@w4arb]

that’s a very good reason! i agree on that as well. my reason is slightly less scientific, and that is because i can’t aim and throw to save my life. it took me 20 minutes to get the antenna hung. i can set up a vertical in less than 5 minutes. hah. 73!!

[@ve2zdx]

@@w4arb I’ll record a antenna recipe video I’m sharing with hams here in Montreal. I invite you to try. My vertical uses the ss17 whip that came with my mpas lite, but the difference is gigantic in the rx and tx. Some interesting data to exemplify the difference: UW1GZ copies me at 559 with the mpas. With my custom vertical he copies me at 599 plus 10. I receive him at 579 with the mpas and 599 plus 30 in my custom antenna. Results are the about the same using the mpas as a slope. Same with the N9sab efhw. I think the difference comes from the flat swr plus the amount of radials. Ps.: the location I am, close to eu, middle-east, etc… changes a lot my perception too 73

[@w4arb]

that sounds like a great topic! i’d love to watch that video. sometimes i use the 17 ft whip from my MC-750 mounted 4-5 feet off of the ground with 3-4 1/4 wave elevated radials. the radials double as guy wires, and that performs very well on 20M and up. i’m definitely a big fan of vertical antennas too!

[@maddog222333]

I have an EFHW at home. I noticed a big improvement when I tied it into a large ground system that included unused and abandoned copper gas line and our old underground electric dog fence. There is no reason why you can’t use radials on an endfed or my favorite Pota antenna, a 29 foot vertical random wire with radials.

[@dannybryant4440]

I listened for you Sat on 10 and 40M from 7 until 7;30, nothing heard. W5CI

[@w4arb]

i’m on 30m right now 10.112. the band conditions are really rough today. 9 contacts in the last 45 minutes so far.

[@dannybryant4440]

@@w4arb Sorry, I have Storms moving thru here at this time and band is terrible noisy W5CI