Will it be a POTA bust? Testing those higher bands on Blue Ridge Parkway.

[@prh8068]

I enjoy your videos and especially got a kick out of hearing my QSO with you on this one. I was also portable, but not a park, with a KX1 and a 35.5 ft radiator tossed in a tree, and a couple of counterpoise wires on the ground. I just wish that I was as good with my throw line as you! I'm lucky if I can get it up in less than 6 tries! - 73, Paul - N8XMS, Michigan

[@ThomasK4SWL]

How grat to now know there was a KX1 on the other end. I think I'm going to take my KX1 out today, in fact!

[@BobBroeking]

Enjoyed.... thanks for sharing; would this antenna work with the ICOM 705 and a MAT tuner for either Data or SSB?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes! It absolutely should!

[@ai5dd]

Another peaceful video, thank you. 72 de AI5DD Joe. I learned something new from your video, I didn't know the KX2 ATU had an auto mode, I'll have to check my settings.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I'm constantly switching between AUTO and BYPASS depending on the antenna I'm using. You don't want to use the ATU with a resonant antenna, ideally.

[@ai5dd]

@@ThomasK4SWL that makes sense, thanks again :)

[@MentalWhiplash]

Activating on days like this is why I like random wires with low power....easier and quicker to navigate to whatever band is most open. A "perfect" antenna on a closed band might as well be a wet noodle!

[@johnleonardelli_VE3IPS]

Any radio ops outdoors is a success

[@TommyGober]

Why do we always hop a little when throwing the line?! I do it too. I have to consciously tell myself to *not* hop.

[@qrplife]

Once, I added the little flourish hop at the end of the throw and instantly pulled my calf muscle 😮 Now I consciously keep both feet firmly planted so that I don’t cripple myself for a month!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

That's a great question. ha ha! I've no clue why I do this, but I've just accepted it's how it works for me! :)

[@robertallbright]

Great stuff Thomas 👍 73 Rob G3RCE

[@k9eihamradio]

I HATE POISON IVY. I get it something terrible. How much does your full pack usually weigh?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You know, I've never weighed my pack. I'll try to do that sometime soon.

[@1671PdC]

Love your videos. One question, any advice on how to learn Morse for CW?

[@M0KVI]

Answering that question effectively is challenging because it depends on your schedule and learning preferences. Personally, I've dedicated a significant amount of time to using apps and listening to on-air resources for training. While many recommend the Long Island CW Club, I've found self-teaching to be my preferred method so far. However, I'm starting to recognize the benefits of group tutorials as I progress. Best of luck with your learning journey!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yeah, as M0KVI mentions, it's a challenging question to answer because so much has to do with your own learning style. Do you like learning in a group/class setting, or something that is self-paced?

[@1671PdC]

@@ThomasK4SWL Unfortunately I could not go to a group class. So headphones, a notebook and sound files will have to be it.

[@dorvinion]

Can't tell you the 'best' way but I can relate my personal experience I began by trying to copy by hand and honestly all I ended up doing was filling every piece of scrap paper I could find with scribbles because for 25 years all I've done is type not write/print. So in trying to learn morse by hand copy I was basically trying to learn how to copy morse code, and how to use a pencil again. I had been told of Morse Code Ninja but rejected it initially because my mindset was in line with what you see on TV with the telegraph operator. Morse comes in and you write it all down letter by letter. But we aren't Western Union tasked with copying a message exactly as received. Once I realized the only thing people actually tend to write down is three or four things - Call sign, QTH, RST, and maybe Name my mindset changed. Figured it made sense to just skip the 'hand copy' phase and practice head copy right from the get-go. To that end, I found Morse Code Ninja to be an ideal tool because I could easily take my practice anywhere it was quiet enough to listen to morse in earbuds (don't want it too loud naturally) In my case that usually meant doing my morse practice while taking a walk (kill two birds with one stone). Ideally two, one mile walks per day. Other people do it while driving but I don't drive much. Its been a year since I started - I could be a lot farther along but I haven't dedicated myself as much as I should have. That's on me.

[@leathermech]

That's okay, Tom. I've watched so many of your videos, when I activate I find myself talking to you too.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

🤣

[@billcosgrave6232]

The videos are ok with me. 👍

[@VE3IPS]

Bands have been so horrible congrats on the activation

[@ThomasK4SWL]

They have been indeed!

[@M0KVI]

I'm happy to be your camera man. I'll even do it for free.😉

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Deal! :)

[@ReedBumgarner]

I’ve got that t shirt too.

[@jasonconrad9212]

Did you itch after the POTA activation?…..you mentioned you’ve been itching to do a POTA activation, and all of the poison ivy!!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Ha ha! Not that kind of itching! Oh golly--I avoid poison ivy at all costs. I've become quite good at spotting it because when I rub up against it, it bothers me for many, many days after.

[@jasonconrad9212]

@@ThomasK4SWL I avoid it as well, I had a really bad experience when I was a teenager doing yard work for my neighbor.

[@TheArtofEngineering]

It is gr8 u can use ur spare time doing ur family duties to get in some CW !! 73 de VK2AOE.