POTA Field Report: Lake Norman, QRP with the Discovery TX-500, and tinkering with the CHA MPAS Lite

[@shawnp6653]

Poor Hazel - glad she is dong better. Thanks for sharing, always enjoy watching your activations.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Shawn.

[@philcorklearningsolutions-8337]

Hi Thomas. Thanks for another excellent warts and all video.Good to hear Hazel is recovering and I look forward to seeing her in future video.I am about to try MPAS Life in inverted V configuration so your video has once again proved educational and informative.Keep up the good work and much appreciated.73 from Phil G1GTX.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Brilliant, Phil! Please report back as I'd like to know how the inverted V MPAS Lite worked out for you! Cheers & 73, Thomas K4SWL / M0CYI

[@WM4L]

I tried to activate k-2746 Morrow mountain state park Friday before lunch. Used my tx-500 and an endfed half wave. Conditions were terrible and managed 3 ssb contacts in the hour I operated. 40 was a mess and must have had a pipeline on 20 to Texas ,where I had two 59 contacts. Managed one park to park also. Still had fun and if I had more time I would have caught my ten to complete the activation.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Not bad at all. Conditions have been incredibly rough lately. I did an activation today that was more of a struggle than I'd like to admit. When you have a reasonable propagation day, you'll not know what to do! :)

[@andyontheair7827]

Thanks for the contact! Tried to hear you on all the other bands, but glad you got on 80m! Really cool to hear the receiving end. Maybe I'll run into you one day at a park. 73, N4LAZ

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Maybe so! I'm in your neck of the woods a lot these days. Cheers! K4SWL

[@davidsradioroom9678]

80 Meters during the daytime is really cool!

[@daveN2MXX]

I own a Red Oxx bag which I use with my POTA equipment...I bought it after watching your videos! 👍 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thanks for supporting Red Oxx. Their gear is the best!

[@Brighamdoc]

Thanks for the videos I learn something every time I watch

[@KK4Z]

I am loving my TX-500. I am not fond of the speaker/mic as I do not have good hearing. I bought a Heil ProSet media pro which will hook up to the TX-500 headphone adapter. For an external speaker, I have always liked the MFJ Cleartone speaker. I know right! I have a CWmorse paddle and I seem to make more mistakes (I know right!) when I use it with the TX-500. I'm going to try a different paddle next time I'm on the TX-500. Update: I fooled around with the CW setting and my error rate went down when I set the QSK to 300 ms. I had it on 100 ms. Now the CWmorse paddle is working well. I tested it form 90 to 100 cpm.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Brilliant! Yes, I've found the same thing: sometimes changing the T/R recovery time actually has a positive impact on my sending accuracy. I think my TX-500 is set to around 300 or 400 ms these days. And, yes, the Heil set will serve you well on the TX-500!

[@antonanker583]

Nice video, as usual. Glad to hear Hazel is on the mend. You mentioned that you use an inline choke (I use an inexpensive 1:1 unun). I’ve used it near the antenna feed, near the transceiver, in the middle when I needed an extension but seldom does it seem to make a difference, or at least it doesn’t appear to make a difference. I was thinking your thoughts about them would make a rather nice article for your QRPer magazine.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know, I've always assumed that using it at the transceiver end with end fed antennas would provide the antenna with more counterpoise. But at QRP levels, I'm not entirely sure I'd ever notice a difference in many applications. Certainly no RF coming back on the radio either way (at 5-10 watts, at least). I may have to consult one of my antenna expert buddies. Thanks!

[@JayN4GO]

Great hearing all these different fist man! Really want to hear that antenna when the band isn’t crap. Tango Oscar mike did a video and showed the 599 in the darker room. Man it looks awesome. Stellar rig man. That rxer is pretty amazing. Give hazel hugs

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The TX-500, in my opinion, sports one of the best designs I've seen in a modern HF transceiver. I love it! :)

[@kq9l115]

Another awesome video, thanks. BTW Lab599 released a new firmware version where you can run an SWL vs Freq plot on the pan adapter screen, it would be really cool to see the plot w the MPAS Franken-tenna.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Agreed! I really look forward to using the new SWR functionality.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Tnx Tom for another great activation. It would be nice to see how you put up your antennas, and the process? most of the time we see you already set up. at least see how you perform or struggle in that endeavor!> tnx agn and hp agn to get u in the log some day. 72 gud dx! de Ellis.WA1RKS ECF.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, Ellis, I do include the antenna installation on occasion. In fact, I've tried to show the complete installation in at least one video for every antenna I have. I *think* the only one I haven't included yet is the CHA LEFS. The main reason I don't include them often has to do with my bandwidth access for uploading. When I include the installation, it makes my video file a good 2-4GB larger (if not more). That equates to even more upload time from my terrible internet bandwidth at home (it can add a full day or more to the upload and chokes our home bandwidth during the process). I try to include those sparingly for this reason. 73, Thomas

[@billcosgrave6232]

Good video. Could you sometime do a video on the various strange signals frequently heard on the radio? I like to think they are caused by time travelers or aliens teleporting back and forth between their starships but I know that is simply not the case. Besides, everyone knows there is no such thing as time travelers. Also, I am curious to hear your views and experiences on dipole antennas. 73.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Wow--so I might try that sometime, but I'm not sure how well it would lend itself to a real-time, real-life sort of video. I'd like to think it's time travelers causing those noises, though! When I was a kid, that's exactly where my mind went! :) But, yeah, I'll try to remember to name a few of these noises when I hear them.

[@alex_ur5lam]

Thomas, why is your radio wheezing? Why are loud stations hitting your ears? Have you turned off the AGC system? Or TX500 AGC not working?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'll check the AGC settings. Sometimes I feel like much of this is because I max out the volume so much when making those videos.

[@alex_ur5lam]

@@ThomasK4SWL Also please check total harmonic distortions on yours TX500. You can hear this when receiving signals at a volume level of 90% or more. The tone of the signal changes and it sounds muddy, as if it has been modulated by itself. The problem is easy to spot even with a spectrum analyzer app for a smartphone. you will see several signals on the smartphone display at a time when you receive only one signal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/borTqGyijbx2m8k

[@alex_ur5lam]

@@ThomasK4SWL We have already figured out the work of the AGC system. This system works only in one position RFG = + 5. But in this position, you will only hear the sound of fried potatoes))) It is precisely because of the inoperative AGC that you turn the volume all the time! AGC TX500 vs AGC G90: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3TKhKyvaNlra68

[@brian-k3es680]

Always great to see the TX-500 getting some exercise. de Brian - K3ES

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I do love giving it air time!

[@w4mkh]

To really be real time you should show yourself putting the throwline up into the trees.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I have done this in the past at least once with most of my antennas. I don't include it in every video only because it can add a good 10-15 extra minutes if I do commentary, and I try to keep the video file size at a minimum since I have only a short window each week to do uploads (my internet at the QTH is near dial-up speed).

[@iSilvernail]

How did you learn cw?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I actually made a post about this some time ago. Here you go! qrper.com/2021/04/my-path-to-learning-cw-and-activating-parks-and-summits/

[@martidav1]

Around 3:58-4:01, you stated setting up the “hammers application?” What app are you using? I got a glimpse. It looked POTA-ish? Pls advise, and thank you!

[@martidav1]

HAMRS - found it. What do you like about?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So mainly the portability. Since it is an app on my phone, I don't need an extra tablet or laptop in my setup. This is especially important for SOTA activations where I have no table and am usually sitting on the ground. I also like the fact that the file is exported in POTA format for direct upload.

[@robertallbright]

Great, thanks Tom 73 Rob G3RCE

[@gmanshackshack6822]

Where the heck are people getting these radios? I'm so sick of watching videos featuring gear I want but can't have!!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So I just heard from someone who ordered a TX-500 and the wait wasn't long at all (maybe 3 weeks, if memory serves?). You might check in with HRO. These radios are produced in small batches.

[@KK4Z]

@@ThomasK4SWL That is correct. I ordered mine from HRO and got it in about 3 weeks. Worth the wait.

[@ralphnunn3]

Here I go again - KZ3L , 3 3 3! ;-) de K7RLN

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I struggle with 2s and 3s. Especially during videos. :)