QRP CW POTA! New park, New gear. K-2064

Today we’re using very affordable gear.
My beloved Venus SW-3B
www.venus-itec...
Tufteln efrw
tufteln.com/pr...
ATU-10
www.ebay.com/i...
As always, unplanned and not enough rest lol.
I was being seen for an ear infection on the way home from work. Right by the doctors office was a park I’ve never activated. Of course I had to stop…. but hearing was a challenge 😂

[@o2bnov0307]

You and I had a 10m QSO on 4 NOV 23 @ 17:18 UTC. I thought the callsign was familiar. I have enjoyed your CW videos, and it was great to have spoken with you yesterday. Three hours earlier I was QRP with my TR-25. Have a nice week. vy 73 de David AE4LH

[@mainetomass99]

Nice Chris. I’ve been using Josh’s 41 foot RW for SOTA for a while now, set up as a sloper. Great implementation. I actually just bought his EFHW, without the wire. I’ll just craft my own wire, since you have to trim & tune the EFHW wire he would have provided anyways. Keep up the great work on the vids!

[@KD2YDN]

That’s exactly my thinking. Seems like the 41’x17’ efrw is the ultimate for SOTA. Glad to hear it’s working well for you! POTA provides an opportunity to test gear before the hike for me. I can definitely see a sloper configuration being very practical on summit. Thanks for the kind words! Glad you’re enjoying! 72!

[@mainetomass99]

Yeah man. My plan is to carry both for SOTA. If I’m super tired, the weather is stupid, or I’m in a real rush, I’ll use the random wire as a sloper. If it’s nice out, I have plenty of time, and if there is more room on summit, I’ll use the EFHW in an inverted V. Just works better overall.

[@EvanK2EJT]

I have the same antenna, and it's great! I use it with the KX1 and KX2 since they both have internal tuners. As for the SW-3B, I've had mine for a while now, and it's hard to argue with a radio that works as well as it does for what it costs. The audio is fantastic, and having actual adjustable RF and AF gains is super nice. I 3D printed the side rails and cover for mine since I'm not sure how robust the encoder and gain controls are, but otherwise it's a fantastic little rig for the money!

[@KD2YDN]

I’d have to agree Evan. Very underrated radio. I absolutely love the audio! Simple, affordable, compact. Must have rig for me. Thanks for the watch. Hope you enjoyed!

[@W4EMB]

Also, a new rule of thumb.... If you put K2EJT in Ham Alert.... and you DONT live in Eastern Time zone.... You will always wake up before your alarm.. hihi When I wake up, I go to the restroom... Evan wakes up and tests his antennas on all 33 bands... (jokes) .. Thanks guys. `Ed

[@EvanK2EJT]

@@W4EMB 😂 that's 100% true. Every morning at about 6am I call CQ on everything from 20 down to 80 to see what the bands are like

[@W4EMB]

Thanks for the vids. Today I replied "nice vids" during our QSO at 16:50 on 20m. I hope you got that... I am new, so when ppl go "off script" with me, I miss it.. So I tried to keep it short and start off with an "ES" first... Keep the vids coming Chris. Thanks for what you do.. DE W4EMB

[@KD2YDN]

I caught that! Your fist was 100%. And I appreciate the kind words! I’m enjoying your videos as well. Keep em coming! 73!

[@kc1mxb]

Very good Chris! How are you finding the transition to dual paddle after using the single lever? I've only ever used a straight key or single lever. Vy 73 de Jonathan "JB"

[@AMERICANRTO]

I have been thinking about this radio a lot lately. My life was in a huge upheaval this last year and is settling down. I have been longing to do an activation. I think that SW-3B is going to see some use very soon.

[@KD2YDN]

@@AMERICANRTO For awhile it was my only field radio. I absolutely love the SW-3B. Glad to hear yours will be getting some field use soon! 72!

[@AMERICANRTO]

@@KD2YDN I headed out camping today. Not an ideal spot. It's in a narrow draw but I'll have time,radios and antennas.😁

[@keysrawk]

How important is the counterpoise when running qrp cw? I know Packtenna EFRW with 9:1 unun says it's really optional at around 5 watts.

[@KD2YDN]

I could definitely experiment and get back to you on that. I admittedly am not sure. There is theory and then there is what actually happens when you try. I prefer the ladder! If you happen to try before me, let me know what you find out. I’m curious myself. Thanks for watching!

[@W4EMB]

Thanks for the QSO today Chris. (W4EMB 5Nov)@@KD2YDN .. I have experimented with a counterpoise some.... in 3 ways. 1) I found my QSOs with a vertical wire and counterpoise, came from the OPPOSITE direction... (cp pointing E and most my QSOs came from west) // 2) on my EFHW I found when I run my left over coax 90 degrees to my broad side, I had more QSOs. (need to try this more) // 3) When I run my EFHW I have never used an actual cp. I have made QSO from TN to HA9RE twice that way. (Hungry).

[@keysrawk]

My activation at K-1448 was with the Packtenna 9:1 EFRW with no counterpoise. I think was at 10 watts on my KX2, and I did get from WA to Sweden on 17m. I think that if I'm getting RF in the rig then I need a counterpoise, but with only 10 watts and below on CW, there's no need for the counterpoise, and I like not having to lay out more wire when activating from the trail. Now, the SSB guys running 100 watts..... probably need the counterpoise and/or a good choke. I will keep experimenting....I wonder if 80m would cause more difficulty.... but I never activate 80.

[@KD2YDN]

@@keysrawk I think you’re probably right. Makes sense. Thats pretty good dx with that set up! FB. Thanks for the info.