SOTA and Stunning Views: Breaking in the Venus SW-3B on Dogback Mountain!

Click here to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com:
qrper.com/2022/03/sota-breaking-in-the-venus-sw-3b-on-dogback-mountain-taking-in-wisemans-view/
Chapters
0:00:00 Introduction & Gear Field Kit Overview
0:06:56 Start of Activation
0:56:55 QRT and Wrap-Up
1:05:30 Bonus! Wisemans' View
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Thanks for watching!
73,
Thomas
K4SWL

[@pablod6872]

I finally got my SW-3B out in the field yesterday. 20m was quite busy (it was Museum Ships on the Air Weekend or something), and I could hear coast-to-coast from the PNW. I made a couple of contacts with a SOTABeams Bandspringer and ZM-2 ATU. Looking forward to using it a lot this summer.

[@wesleymatthews137]

The SW-3B is one of my favorite compact rigs. Tons of power out on a LiFePO4 battery. Way over 5 watts at 13.8 volts. Fantastic. Great functionality as well. Great video as usual.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@brian-k3es680]

Another great activation video, Thomas. It was amazing to hear all the DX contacts on 5 watts! And thanks for the scenic views at the end, too. Best 73 de Brian - K3ES

[@austinhallett9497]

thanks for sharing!

[@georgewashington7444]

Thomas another great activation video FB! Good to see the SW3B getting a workout. I am still having a blast with mine. Hope to catch you on the bands. 73

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, George!

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

Nice video, I have yet to break in and use my SW-3B as well. Received it a bit back and just been too busy to take it on a trek. Thanks for the video...cheers Fred

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I think you'll like it, Fred!

[@joyahamradio]

Awesome!

[@mikehemeon2473]

Love that paddle. It looks like it is solidly built.

[@K1QS_Radio]

Glad I stuck around towards the end, so I didn't miss some of that amazing scenery. Great video.😃 I only used the emoji, cuz I can.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The scenery was truly gobsmacking!

[@k9eihamradio]

I just purchased one of these radios today. A mix31 ferrite 1:1 choke will keep that common mode at bay!

[@AleksanderS57S]

Thank you for all those fantastic videos. Just like we are there too. Thomas, your CW is better and better. 73, Aleksander, S57S

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you so much, OM!

[@JonathanAdami]

14:45 omg I got vicarious panic, I have 2 qsos under the belt mind you and they were both train wrecks haha I'll keep watching but it's a cool video, thanks for making it!

[@JonathanAdami]

so weirdly instructive tho, you don't say anything but I'm learning so much already! Cheers

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@m0mseadventureradionstuff329]

I've decided to treat myself to one of these when I have finally learned Morse (which I have stared). Another great video Thomas, you're an inspiration cheers. Mark

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I did the same thing...well, I promised myself an MTR-3B (this was a while back, obviously) for doing my first CW park activation. :) It did give me that extra push to go out and make that first one happen! The SW-3B is a great little radio! You'll soon have one in your hands, no doubt.

[@Johnmfoss]

I have recently started doing some activations in central North Carolina. I am running 10 watts portable and having a blast. Unfortunately, there aren’t so many parks in my area, but still having a lot of fun. Thanks for the inspiration and all the great videos. Been a cw op for years but I find myself trying to pick out calls in your pileups - just because. It’s so different from rag chews.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Congrats on joining the POTA family! I have friends who also live in areas with less park options. Make sure to check the POTA map and park list carefully. Often there are parks, wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, and especially trails that aren't as obvious. Check out this post I wrote some months ago: qrper.com/2021/01/parks-on-the-air-pro-tip-finding-more-park-sites-to-activate/ And you have a great point. Working POTA CW stations as an activator is completely different than ragchewing. In fact, I find that when people start to ragchew with me during an activation, I get a bit lost because my brain is so focused on the exchange. :)

[@JayN4GO]

It’s amazing to think of the people that settled in this land. Ones that moved on west for whatever reason. I really want to make this trip from central ky. Even if I have to do it alone. Tnx for sharing bud and glad you’re feeling better. Great contacts where just the bonus here man. 🙏🏻

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It is a beautiful area. Let me know when you venture out this way, OM!

[@JayN4GO]

@@ThomasK4SWL I plan to!

[@k8drtqrp]

I had to blow my N0SA SOTAPaddles out with air one day. They were doing the same thing after riding around in my bag. It worked. Another fine activation video. Thanks Thomas.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Very good point! dirty contacts (or pocket lint) can cause proper problems. I absolutely love that N0SA paddle. :)

[@lovethevdub]

Thanks for the QSO. Always fun to see the other end. SW3B looks like a solid little rig. Hope to catch you again, 73 DE WU7H

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Great to put you in the logs, Josh! Thank you!

[@ai5dd]

Beautiful view, nice to see another radio review. *edit* I noticed one of your first QSOs sent you code twice to three times faster than you were sending, I've always thought that was rude behavior, at last space things in the Farnsworth method if they can't adjust their speed. *another edit* I actually made it into the video! Thanks, it's nice to hear what my Vibroplex Bug sounds like over the air :)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It sounded fantastic! :) Yes, I've even noticed some new activators going at it contest speed. Not sure that's the right approach for POTA.

[@ai5dd]

@@ThomasK4SWL I think it's up to the activator what speed to go but I agree I don't view POTA as a contest, so that is not good for new people getting into CW. There's no reason to blast through everything like a bull in a china shop.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

There are actually people in this world that could watch this video and _not_ be hanging on every 'Dit.' That's nearly impossible to believe. *LOL*

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Wow nice activation My friend Pete worked you this time but I didn't. and I noticed you got his call wrong. he's WA2JMG. you had him come back and he corrected your calling him WA3JMG and you still logged it as that.. But to be honest with you I had to rewind it few times to get it right my self so under the stress of the pile up perfectly understandable. That is why I like watching you videos. because you do not edit out the mistakes. thank you for that again Tom and once again for a nice video and for sharing. 73!de Ellis WA1RKS

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Darn it! :) I'll try to re-do those logs. I am a bit dyslexic. Thanks for the kinds comments always,. Ellis!

[@KN4OKadventures]

Great job again Thomas, Dave KN4OK

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice..............

[@shawnp6653]

Thomas, you might be able to get those price stickers off using a hair dryer to heat up the glue.

[@KU9L]

I wish it did have a power level control over then just raw voltage, LOL. I believe if you have exercised the RF Gain control next to your volume control that it quickly would have eased the loudness in your headphones so it wouldn't overdrive the speaker, but as a new radio, you had your hands busy, LOL. I am considering this radio in my Top 3 choices. 72, Dave - KU9L

[@Dr-T]

I have the SW 3B too and its excellent. Whenever I use an EFHW, I always use a home brew common mode choke to prevent the RF problems you were having. Enjoyed your video as always. You live in a delightful part of the world. 73 Bruce G4ABX

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I need to remember to bring my choke along for the ride. Thank you for the reminder, OM!

[@Dr-T]

Thomas. You also complained about sidetone 'thumping' with your external speaker on sidetone I use a very inexpensive Betron bluetooth (and wired) speaker with my SW-3B and have no problems with it at all. I'll shortly be uploading a KZbin video on my SW-3B setup that includes the Betron speaker -- so you can have a listen 🙂73 Bruce G4ABX

[@davidg5308]

Can either of you expand on what you use for the common mode choke (coax, toroid, etc...)? Thank you.

[@Dr-T]

@@davidg5308 Hi David. I'll send you the details tomorrow. About to start a contest. 73 Bruce G4ABX

[@Dr-T]

@@davidg5308 Good morning David. I use a variety of common mode chokes -- depending on the required power handling. My QRP portable choke is a piece of narrow diameter coax - I think RG 316 is what I use but others are fine. Wind as many turns as I can get on a suitable toroid. "What's a suitable toroid" I here you ask? In my case its what I have in my junk box but you ideally want a ferrite material that suits your operating frequency. Use 31, 43 or 52 ferrite material for up to 60MHz. (43 is the 'universal' choice.) Connection is straight forward -- wind your coax on the toroid and use screen and centre to connect to input and output sockets to maintain continuity with your feed and antenna coax (screen to screen, inner to inner) As to the diameter of the toroid, I mainly use 1/2 inch diameter for my QRP setup (up to 20w/30w) The choice of diameter is really based on how much 'choking' impedance you need? Aim to get at least 10 turns of coax on the toroid. More will give better choking impedance -- which, depending on the diameter of your coax will determine the diameter of the toroid you need. Don't be afraid to experiment and don't waste money on buying 'exact' components. Its not necessary. If you want higher power then stack toroids together -- rather than buying a BIGGER one. This will save you money -- and be more fun :-) I hope that helps a bit? I'll be doing a KZbin video and adding a section to my Web site on "Common mode chokes' in the near future. 73 Bruce G4ABX Dr.T(G4ABX) g4abx.co.uk @G4ABX

[@gsansoucie]

Going back further for that hinged flight board…

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

very nice video , see your car in the background greeting from The Netherlands,, Martin PA0KGB

[@SQ5TK]

Every time I'm watching yours activation causes this strange thought - why i'm sitting here instead doing POTA in the park.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! Oh dear. That's the opposite effect I'd like to have. :) I often think the same thing when I'm watching videos about camping on KZbin.

[@UnderTheBigOak]

I need my code skill to be so much better. 15wpm I can almost be ok, 20wpm forget it. It's all just beepbeepbeep. lol. Great work and great video.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You'll get to where 20WPM is pretty solid copy and 25WPM is beepbeepbeep. :) Your brain sort of does it's thing and gets better at code with time. If my brain can, anyone's can. :) You've got this!

[@UnderTheBigOak]

@@ThomasK4SWL My SW-3B is out for delivery. Watching the driveway like a hawk. lol. I may be a slow code POTA activator but so be it! I want to get out by next weekend and work CW K4SWL style. 😀

[@arniep740]

Thanks for this video. The audio dub sounds FB. One thing I did not see in your equipment list is the knee-board that you are writing on and have the radio on. Can you provide any details of that? Tnx es 73 de Arnie W8DU

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So this kneeboard is a one-off made by my friend Carolanne. I'm checking into a way these may be able to be produced in quantity. Stay tuned! :)

[@Alex-ix4qr]

I have been watching your videos for a while. Thanks for putting time into this. I have one question. I am always curious how other hams figure out the life left in their Bioenno batteries. This comes up in two cases. 1. When I charge I would like to make sure I do not over charge or under charge. 2. When I discharge during POTA QRP I would like an estimate of the time I have left. If you have any tools or calculators or estimations that would be useful. I am not sure if it matters, but I am using a lab599 radio. My battery is the Bioenno 12V, 3Ah LFP LiFePO4 BLF-1203AB Thanks!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

So the great thing about the Bioenno batteries is that they have a superb built-in BMS (battery management system). If you're using their charger? There's no need to worry about any of this. The BMS manages it for you. Estimating time left can be difficult because it depends on the duty cycle, wattage output, and overall time on the air (even in RX). I can say that I know I've completed four complete activations with the TX-500 and that same 3Ah Bioenno battery you have.

[@raceon4]

The audio sounded great recorded that way. When you were talking was that into the recorder as well? Or did you essentially have two audio tracks in the final edit?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I had two audio tracks: the one from the camera, and one from the radio. Thanks for the feedback!

[@PendejoRyan]

Great video! What kind of kneeboard is that? Very cool!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

My friend Carolanne made it for me. She'll soon be putting together the 3D files for printing your own!

[@PendejoRyan]

@@ThomasK4SWL that thing is awesome! I'll be the first to print one when it gets released!

[@joetaylor1357]

Wondering which external speaker you are using ? Cant wait to get on the air with my sw-3b . Looks like it's working well for you. Tnx Joe Ka2wcm

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The one I've been using is the Sony SRS-XB12. They're no longer produced, but they can be found on eBay (there are similar model numbers, but you only want this. one): ebay.us/v0rlWx I purchased two of them!

[@odvernon2357]

Hi ! Nice video +++ What sort of battery do you use with CW-3B ? Thank's for your answer ?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I've primarily used a 12V 3Ah LiFePo4 battery. I have used my Elecraft KX2 battery pack as well.

[@odvernon2357]

@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks !!!

[@donwhitehead4587]

Nice post👍🏻AC4OK, Don in Clyde NC here. If I may….I’m nearing purchase of an IC-705. I’ve seen you use different antenna tuners in your POTA activations. If you could just use ONE for the rest of your activity, which one would it be. You don’t need to say why. I trust your judgement 😜 73, Don

[@ThomasK4SWL]

There are two: The Elecraft T1 if you want an auto tuner, or the Emtech ZM-2 if you're good with a manual tuner. There are a number of LDG tuners as well--they're superb--but they're designed around 100W and a bit bulkier than I need. And Clyde's a great place--you're spitting distance from me in Swannanoa. 73! Thomas

[@donwhitehead4587]

@@ThomasK4SWL thought for sure you’d mention the LDG Z100 plus.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@donwhitehead4587 actually when I said LDG tuners are superb, I was thinking about the Z100 Plus and the Z11 Pro. They're amazing. But for me, I'm QRP and go for lightweight options for backpacking to summits for SOTA. That's why I like the T1 and ZM-2 so much. For my Mission RGO One, Argonaut V, or when I'm operating 20W plus, it's the LDG.

[@jasonbrambach6957]

Emtech Z match is inexpensive plus quick & easy to use with my 705. Maybe a great sale will get me to fork out the big $$ later but using resonant (close to it) is better anyway.

[@donwhitehead4587]

@@jasonbrambach6957 bought the Icom AH705. Pricey, but it is amazing.

[@hunt555fish]

Thomas is the SW-3B still available.Where did you purchase yours.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Directly from Venus in Hong Kong. There's a link in the field report.

[@zedwarth]

Hey Thomas, I really enjoy watching your videos. I find myself replying to you on my TV, like when you showed off the vista at the beginning. But there's some kind of artifact I'm hearing in the audio on the Sony recorder. The best way I can describe it is it sounds like the popping in headphones when one plugs headphones into an audio jack. I'm hearing it multiple times every time you key or use the memory keying function on the radio, but not when ever you talk or when you get a response. I tried playing the video on my laptop as well and I still hear the popping. I'd appreciate if you could look into it because it unfortunately makes it really unpleasant (litterally painful for my ears) to watch.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Noted! So I think this is particular to the SW-3B. It has a "thumping" sounds in the sidetone and I believe the video is actually allowing you to hear how it sounds via headphones. I do have a few more videos with other radios coming up. Let me know if you still notice it. I suspect it's particular to this radio.

[@echo-hotel]

I forget what is the dit dit, from you, for after they reply?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's just a way of signing off. It (I believe) has it's origins in "Shave and a hair cut...two bits." It was shortened to two dits on either side.

[@arniep740]

Thomas....you may want to take a look at another very useful keyer paddle that I posted at kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4Cti6p5rNuEoKs. I think you may find it useful for your outings. 73 de Arnie W8DU

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I actually have a very similar paddle in the works! :)