![Forrest (KI7QCF)](/img/default-banner.jpg)
- 121
- 150 371
Forrest (KI7QCF)
Приєднався 14 вер 2017
Starlink | Morse Code
CW POTA @ US-4398
I used both an EFRW and EFHW
Rig: Homebuilt QMX mid-band shop.qrp-labs.com/qmx
Antenna: The Dually EFHW & EFRW www.etsy.com/listing/1723883178/the-dually-hf-end-fed-antenna-build-kit
Wire: BNTECHGO 22gauge (Check out this wire on amazon) www.amazon.com/BNTECHGO-Silicone-Flexible-Stranded-Tinned/dp/B07JK3F5J6?th=1
Socks: Stance Socks www.stance.com/stance-performance-crew-socks/190107530132.html?country=US¤cy=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxorcI94Ly2Fch3iN5EoRK3kCO7t388Qc7gkHDcuNeOOSkrCfBJGlKIaApF_EALw_wcB
Lululemon running shorts: shop.lululemon.com/p/men-shorts/Outpacer-Short-6-MD/_/prod10800178?color=17804&locale=en_US&sl=US&sz=M&cid=Google_SHOP_US_NAT_EN_X_BrandShop_Incr-All_OMNI_GEN_Y24_ag-SHOP_G_US_EN_DM_M_GEN_NO_Bottoms-Shorts&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxoAYxZgPzuSoTB3orUavPQ1ccEovzKHQ8mUhv58fuFJqRLQLpmaBSUaAoV1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I used both an EFRW and EFHW
Rig: Homebuilt QMX mid-band shop.qrp-labs.com/qmx
Antenna: The Dually EFHW & EFRW www.etsy.com/listing/1723883178/the-dually-hf-end-fed-antenna-build-kit
Wire: BNTECHGO 22gauge (Check out this wire on amazon) www.amazon.com/BNTECHGO-Silicone-Flexible-Stranded-Tinned/dp/B07JK3F5J6?th=1
Socks: Stance Socks www.stance.com/stance-performance-crew-socks/190107530132.html?country=US¤cy=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxorcI94Ly2Fch3iN5EoRK3kCO7t388Qc7gkHDcuNeOOSkrCfBJGlKIaApF_EALw_wcB
Lululemon running shorts: shop.lululemon.com/p/men-shorts/Outpacer-Short-6-MD/_/prod10800178?color=17804&locale=en_US&sl=US&sz=M&cid=Google_SHOP_US_NAT_EN_X_BrandShop_Incr-All_OMNI_GEN_Y24_ag-SHOP_G_US_EN_DM_M_GEN_NO_Bottoms-Shorts&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxoAYxZgPzuSoTB3orUavPQ1ccEovzKHQ8mUhv58fuFJqRLQLpmaBSUaAoV1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Переглядів: 275
Відео
CW POTA | Fish Hatchery
Переглядів 2592 години тому
US-11090 Gear Used: Rig: Elecraft KH1 Antenna: Spark Plug EFHW Paddle: Palm Mini Special Edition #morsecode #hamradio #pota #cw
QRP CW POTA US-11197
Переглядів 2904 години тому
Rig: Elecraft KH1 Key: N0SA M5 Antenna: Chelegance MC-750 Location: Carbon County, Utah #pota #hamradio #cw #morsecode
The Coolest Radio In The World
Переглядів 2,9 тис.16 годин тому
Base stations are awesome Field operations are awesome But nothing is more awesomer than walking around your neighborhood dragging a counterpoise behind you while all your neighbors wonder which intelligence agency you work for.
100% Homebrew POTA Activation
Переглядів 1,3 тис.19 годин тому
QRP Labs QMX: shop.qrp-labs.com/qmx KM4CFT Iambic Paddle: www.ebay.com/itm/326186635066?itmmeta=01J4MN9401CE89AJ8DV2ME1779&hash=item4bf23d0f3a:g:8isAAOSwRDhmhcDk QRP Guys Antenna: qrpguys.com/qrpguys-mini-80m-10m-no-tune-end-fed-half-wave-antenna BNTECHGO Wire: www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4RPF62/ref=twister_B07ZFP8KCN?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Morse Code | Waterfall
Переглядів 319День тому
CW POTA US-5938 When I saw Stewart Falls was just within a POTA park I hadn't been to I was excited to make the hike up. 4am alarms are perfectly fine when you're excited for the activity. I was most excited to get this park activated relatively quickly. My first 9 QSOs were sub 30 minutes (roughly) then waited the last 30 minutes for my final QSO. Unfortunately, my camera battery died! Gear us...
Rare Footage: Both Sides of a POTA P2P
Переглядів 1 тис.21 день тому
Rare Footage: Both Sides of a POTA P2P
Man [heroically] installs dipole in attic
Переглядів 682Місяць тому
Man [heroically] installs dipole in attic
Budget $350 CW POTA Setup With NO Compromises
Переглядів 2,6 тис.Місяць тому
Budget $350 CW POTA Setup With NO Compromises
Why not use a Wrist Rocket slingshot, to launch a fishing sinker tied to some fishing line ? Once you retrieve the sinker end, you tie the opposite end to either the antenna, or the cord attached to the antenna, and then pull it into position ! I should add that you should use a spin cast fishing reel to aid in deployment ! And will disperse the fishing line fired from the slingshot, just as if it was cast from a pole ! 👍😉
How did you learn cw? I want to learn but have failed for years.
@@kylefreemason my two main resources were LCWO.net (start doing the lessons 2 letters at a time as slow as you need until you pass 90%. Then go to the next letter. Anybody can do that and start making progress overnight. Then increase the speeds. Even at 20WPM you can do the lesson of R & K and just see if you can tell the difference between R & K. How they sound. It’s all about recognizing characters. The next main resource was listening to activation videos: Thomas K4SWL and Aaron W4ARB. As soon as you’re at a point you can BARELY sorta copy you are officially ready to get on the air with a POTA script. Go watch my “cw advice for beginners video” it details my journey and recounts the above advice in more detail! 73 de KI7QCF I hope to work you soon my friend.
With your leg up on the bench like that, I keep picturing you with your foot up on your amp playing to a sold out crowd, but instead of a guitar, you've got a paddle, layin' down some sweet, sweet CW
@@KYFriedHam 😂😂😂😂 you win best comment
Forest how do you contact RA1AOM and does he have a web site with models and price.
Please access the spreadsheet in the description with all details related to vendor contact. Important note: prices are subject to change and I would recommend inquiring with him directly on available options. I absolutely recommend his keys.
Thank for getting back to me Forest.Will check it out.I like that single lever you just got from him.
throwlines are a cool side quest 🤣
@@hazer72 I’m not proud of that first throw. But all I can do is review the film and then try to come out stronger next time! 😂😂
Are you using "plane scatter" propagation?
@@KYFriedHam No I don’t have my extra or I would.
When you went to get the camera battery, we couldn't see the Forrest for the trees. Thanks for the videos. It's good practice.
😂😂😂 I appreciate it!
We have a QCX-mini and still waiting on our QMX. With your QMX, when you adjust the volume, does it change the volume of the sidetone and received signal? 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY It's unfortunate that AL isn't one of your "propagation friends" HIHI
@@HamRadioDuo sidetone volume is separate, I believe! I wish Alabama was my friend. I tend to get NA4A fairly often though!
We keep trying whenever we see that you are activating!
Two settings for sidetone volume, absolute and relative. Absolute doesn't change, Relative varies with the audio volume.
@@HamRadioDuo same! I listen every time I see either of your call signs on but lately I’ve been striking out!
That mnight have been me on that Southwest jet
That was in a descent towards SLC INTL. are you saying we’re hanging out today?
@@Utahforrest You know, that airplane did look a little bit low. I just got back into Chicago from Los Angeles
There is a good book on the subject of baluns and ununs, called "Understanding, Building, and Using Baluns and Ununs" by Jerry Sevick, W2FMI. It is horribly priced on Amazon and the place I bought it from isn't around anymore. I did a quick search and there is a PDF available online.
@@yrath5034 That’s great to know! I’ve really been wanting to find a book about antennas and I also want a good book on propagation if it exists. I’ll go check it out!
@@Utahforrest order Rothammel's Antenna book and the ARRL's "The Antenna Book" - they are the best two to buy.
QMX, T1 & EFRW is my next load out to try! 73
@@AE6Z it was a very solid setup today!!
Forrest, I love this video and it is prompting me to launch into CW on air. Your advice is gold! Thank you! I look forward to connecting sometime. 73
Hey Daniel! Your comment makes me very happy. I hope you continue in your CW journey and I’d love to connect some time!
When the park employee looks at me like a dog listening to it's owner's voice on the telephone, I just hand them one of the tri-fold brochures from the POTA website. Another nice offering from the behive state!
@@KN7U hahaha! Now that’s a good analogy. Great idea!
Nah man we got hit with another radio blackout. I sent 219 and up 1 because there was a guy cqing on the same frequency. Y’all took turns haha! No way I’m rag chewing in these condx. Reminds me of riding sport bikes down the highway at 70 and trying to talk to each other. 😂
@@JayN4GO I saw on my spot you mentioned that and I considered QSY but it sounded like you were saying he was gone now. Last week at an activation it was dead - somebody just spotted me “QSY” and as soon as I left I got 3 QSOs in a row. So I always appreciate the looking out. Thanks for coming to me in these condx. I think sometimes people don’t bother when I’m 229 but in reality it saves my ass when people send it anyway. Most the time I’m QRP in a canyon somewhere fighting for 10.
Another awesome video Forrest! Man, I wish I could get on the air as much as you do! I won't even be around this weekend because it's the 1st weekend of the 10 GHz contest. Maybe see you the following weekend! 73. Oh, you should put the POTA park number in the video description. ;)
@@NsixVHF I like to get out everyday. Most the time I can sneak out on a lunch break or go out in the evening (sometimes both). But this week I did take off so I’m going a little hard! Whoops I forgot. Park # added!
You are really inspiring me to put together a "quick setup" QRP kit. Everything I have is large and cumbersome compared to your setup. I need something like a SOTA station so it would be easy to set up anywhere quickly. Then maybe I could sneak out more often.
@@NsixVHF I’m pretty in love with my field kits. I have basically all my gear in my truck so I usually just pick which radio, and EFHW to use. My chair and table are $30 Amazon specials I recently got another higher end table so I could place the camera on the other table. If conditions are good it’s a riot
Great colors in this video before the antenna went up. It’s so “pastoral” looking bc of the green rolling hills and white clouds against blue sky. 😁 Did you actually go inside to ask for their WiFi password? lol I had the yellow Petzel throw bag but it busted the first or second time I took it out, and had to call bull**** on the “double lined” when I saw the second liner was a 🎈 and not another layer of canvas-y material. I’m happier with Notch (which Home Depot sells their weights and lines) foe my lighter weight kit.
throw lines will forever be my favorite antenna art form! haha. Have to agree, the thumbnail is way better than the rest of the video as far as views go! lol! I appreciate you watching, as always : )
Thank you. Nice video. Love my sparkplugs. That KH1 tone though… like nails on a chalkboard. Would buy in a heartbeat but for that grating noise.
Oh man I don’t even notice it. It’s probably my pitch maybe I’ll move it closer to like 550
the side tone is 100 times better than it used to be on the kh1.
Sounds way worse on recordings than in person. You don’t even notice it when you’re using it.
It’s almost like it comes out of a different speaker/buzzer than the main audio… can anyone confirm?
Same!!! Its sounds like the piezo buzzer from those 50-in-1 electronics science labs I used to get as Christmas presents when I was a kid.
I know you get tons of comments with all the activations you are doing. A while back when I first commented on one of your first POTA videos, I had said I was in a cw class and shared your story and that video to the class. That class was teaching instant character recognition so that a person could rag chew. That was their focus for being able to rag chew or whatever you want to do. CW Innovations. Great class and group of people if you want to look them up. It’s a commitment though.
Also if you ever want I’ll rag chew at whatever speed you want until you lose me.
@@bentrotor4917 I definitely remember that comment. I really appreciate that. Please do reach out (my email is on my QRZ page). I'm thinking my first ever rag chew I'll either call CQ or respond to a CQ call when the moment is right. I've been close a few times already to just engaging with someone. I think similar to my first POTA hunting moment I just sent it! 73 de KI7QCF
Congratulation!! Genial 😊
We need more of this. And nice kH1 by the way.
I’ve had a few rag chews from my home qth. I made a couple templates that help me not have to think too much about what to say and slow down to 15-17wpm. Just get on and call CQ and see what happens. If you get too lost you can always blame it on QSB. Hi hi gl es 73
Ragchew = Communication. That's what we're supposed to be experts in. How exciting! And how terrifying! High speed CW ragchew is hardcore old skewl (especially straight key,) and for those of us just beginning to "crack the code," few moments are more stress inducing than when we gotta actually listen and respond to words in the wild. Call signs are still tough to copy and now you want me to describe my station? Give WX reports? Ahhh!!! 😬😵 Challenge Accepted, OM!!!
Haha! Yep! Couldn't agree more. And High speed cw rag chew with the straight key would be the ultimate. I still need to learn how to use a straight key at SLOW speeds, haha. Thanks for watching :)
Great information. I just found your videos yesterday. So I have been practicing CW for almost 2 years now, using LCWO primarily. It has taken me this much time to understand cw, somewhat accurately, at 20WPM. I am amazed how quickly you have been able to pick it up, just incredible. I have branched my training to include using a Begali CW Machine to send, which I think is great but expensive. After all this time I decided to get on the air the other day and made a contact 1500 miles away in Nebreska with WB0RLJ who was running a POTA station. It was magical to hear my call being repeated by him. I had no idea what exactly I was suppose to do. But I waited for a pause and sent my call getting very little of what he sent, but I attempted to give him his signal report and my name and location, clumsily. WB0RLJ was so gracious, patient and helped me through, so a big shout out to him! I then checked the POTA page later that evening and wow my call was there. I actually made a contact. Again congratulations on your success, and I look forward to your videos, they are inspiring to this struggling CW ham.
Rag chews is where you actually learn CW. It’s also more fun to learn about people. Where they are, what they are doing. I talked to a guy once on a sail boat in the Pacific. That’s pretty cool. Lots of people know this guy because he’s pretty active.
Oh man. That would be amazing. Especially because I love sailing haha. Couldn't agree more. I'm excited for my first rag chew!
It's crazy how much harder ragchewing is over POTA/SOTA. I go to the beginner LICW classses and have done quite a few POTA & SOTA cw activations. When I practice instant character recognition and callsigns I feel like I'm the bomb, but as soon as I practice words or groups of letters I start to question if I even know CW haha! 73 de M7OPK
100%. I was in the CW Academy intermediate class May-June and that really stood out to me. I would go activate a park 22 WPM get 50 QSOs then head to class and they'd have us copy short stories at 17WPM and I felt like I didn't know CW haha!
I like a good ragchew occasionally. There are a few hunters that will ragchew with me during activations. Its a lot of fun however I often don't have paper and my head copy is still a work in progress, but I can usually get the point of what they are saying. I often answer CQs I hear especially in the morning on 40m. I'm always down for a good ol' ragchew just holler.
You and I will be rag chewing here soon. No doubt about it. I'm going to spend some time familiarizing myself with rag chews over the next few days/weeks and my first ever rag chew I may just call CQ like 17wpm and see what happens.
Thanks for the new park and the Elecraft to Elecraft P2P! Fairly rough conditions yesterday with the G4 geomagnectic storm peaking around 1500z.
I was getting HamAlerts on the drive down so I was hoping I could get set up in time to get you. Great to start off the activation with the P2P, Elecraft to Elecraft, M5 to M5!!
Nice rig for sure. Great to get you in the log again last week.
I want to do POTA activations (CW) but I'm scared. You're way ahead of me :-)
If you activate I'll rag chew! haha! deal?
@@Utahforrest Let's do it!
Great story, Forrest. Thanks for posting. 73 Ron
I am jealous at the scenery over there. I have to drive several hours to get to anything that nice.
The scenery here is extremely diverse I end up at some middle of nowhere places that really blow me away. Headed somewhere cool this weekend too. I hope to film a little. I want to do some cool winter stuff but we'll see as I don't think I can send code with cold fingers 😂
@@Utahforrest That's OK, I have trouble sending with warm fingers!!! Especially when I am trying to send "QC" instead of "CQ!" hahahaha
@@NsixVHF haha when I began learning CW I remember thinking oh no my call sign is dyslexic 😂. It’s a definite tongue twister
@@Utahforrest Well when I screw up your call again, just know that I know it's you. LMAO
It’s kinda like hitting on a girl when you first get together. Try not to let the other op go straight for 3rd base. 1st and 2nd base qsos only for bit. Then smack their ass and send them a 73. Rubber stamp qs are what pota and contesting are. Next time I hear you I might throw in my power level and antenna.
🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is why we're friends
I think you just gave me some more content for my qrz page!
@@k9kj 🤣
@@k9kj I've never laughed harder than when I read your QRZ page 🤣
Forrest! I had a CW rag-chew the other evening. It was a blast and probably my first rag-chew in decades - since when I was a teenager - it was with Harry in Austria. It was the last call of my activation that evening. lately, I've been thinking about doing this: I've been wanting to set up a rig by my comfy chair in my office just for the purpose of having extended CW QSOs - My QSO with Harry makes me want to do it more now! Here's the QSO. It wasn't perfect, but it was fun and relaxed: ua-cam.com/video/S6VqqD8D2pw/v-deo.htmlsi=Egef5xkYGcppYsjq&t=5408
Quit rag-chewing and get back out to Chalco Hills! LOL. I need 4 more from Chalco for my "repeat offender" award! 73 de N6VHF
@@NsixVHF haha! I’ll be out there! 😁
I just watched this. I am so jealous at the DX rag chew with someone in Austria. That's truly incredible. Thanks so much for sharing. You are a great op and a phenomenal fist. I think the big thing for me is familiarizing myself with some of the common exchanges (much like POTA sequences). How to explain my rig, antenna, etc. and what to look for. I also know for a rag chew I probably want to drop from 22 WPM to around 17 or so. You're going to hear from me a lot the next few days! I'm at 45/50 with you for the operator to operator. You'll be my first! 73 de KI7QCF
@@Utahforrest 50 - That's fantastic, Forrest! Looking forward to it! Set your ultimate goal at 500 QSOs. That will give you 25 certificates for your POTA awards wallpaper! 🙂
The bands have E. Coli 😂
The main purpose of this video was the E Coli jokes so I'm glad you got it and commented on that specifically lol! 🤣
Frustrating that propagation has been smeared with bacteria for sure :) especially with such high sunspot/SFI numbers. And oh yeah!!-I’ve had that happen where the CW ops don’t put their email on the QRZ page. It’s definitely a characteristic :) but it’s kind of like “damn”
I remember my first few weeks of hunting POTA I kept telling my wife the strongest desire of my soul was to debrief with the person on the other end of the QSO (Haha!). Most the time I wanted to apologize or explain my key got stuck. Good thing now is I am pretty good friends with a lot of people I hunt or that hunt me so we do often send texts or emails :) - But I've also learned everyone gets it and you don't ever need to apologize for a rough go. But in other cases, like the aforementioned one, it is so nice when they have a way to get in contact!
We had a very nice visible red and green aurora in NY Monday AM before it got light out. You pulled off an activation during a severe geomagnetic storm, so that's something!
I tend to choose geomagnetic storm days to activate. Definitely felt it yesterday. Glad I got one complete activation QRP and then QRO saved me rest of the day I don't think I would've got it QRP at the other 3 parks.
Yeeesssssss!!! The pink socks are back!!!!! 🎉 Great video, Forrest! Jealous of your backdrops. UT looks very beautiful. AA4SB
I basically think about Ed every time I wear these now. Haha thanks for watching, Shantel!
I think every CW op has had the same feeling. I know I do. There is a huge difference between a known short exchange like POTA or SOTA and a ragchew. Slower speeds are helpful until you are more comfortable. LICW has some great classes to help you become proficient with conversational CW. Hope to catch you on the air sometime. 73, Patrick KF4LMZ
Great advice! I've seen a few others recommend LICW I'm going to check it out!
600 parks in UT? Wow!!! Man... you're very fortunate to live out there! Great video, OM. 73 de N4AAJ
I'd also be happy to have a rag chew. Definitively not great at it here. look at the licw club. They have a ragchew format to follow. Thanks and I enjoy your videos, om. Im gonna call you right in the middle of your next activation at 12wpm (running 1kw) and send you my life's story. Hahaha :) 73 de N4AAJ
Bahahaha. Please do. I want to know your life story and I hope you don't finish until you take me into the next UTC day and fail my activation. 😂 I may email you today if that's ok I want to snag the ragchew format. If I can have a sequence/script like I had when I first hunted POTA my confidence will probably double. (That and the 12wpm thing!) 😅
@@Utahforrest yes sir! Send it.
We would love to do a ragchew anytime that conditions allow! Becky and I both try to get a conversational qso in whenever we can. When it doesn't work out on the air, sometimes we do them together locally. We do ragchew way slower than POTA. For us the most comfortable speed right now is 15 words per minute even though we can do pota much faster. We both practice instant character recognition and words on a regular basis. We are nowhere near great but getting better all the time. Although we love to do pota, the interest in conversational CW is what got us into ham radio to begin with. 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
We will definitely get a rag chew in together here soon. That will be a special day! :) - I couldn't agree more. I think rag chews are the ultimate CW experience and it's a true test of your CW proficiency as you do not know what is coming next. As I've ventured into CW it's become apparent I want to experience ALL of it. But I will always be a POTA guy at heart. I really value the friendliness of POTA compared to DXing, Contesting, Field Day, etc. I like exchanging names, saying good morning and the friends you contact on a frequent basis. But my favorite part of POTA, and you and Becky demonstrate this so well, is experiencing field operations and the challenges associated with it at some incredibly beautiful areas. I've spent more time outdoors the last 4 months because of POTA than the last 5 years! I swear! 73 de KI7QCF
If you ever want to ragchew, give me a shout. Aaron Bowman W4ARB had never rachewed before, so he and I scheduled one, and went maybe 16-18wpm. I had him look at the LICW QSO protocol first so he kinda knew what to expect. The video from both ends is on our respective channels (I think mine is called NOT a POTA activation or something to that effect with a red slash through the thumbnail. Doing a scheduled QSO at reasonable speeds with someone you're comfortable with takes a lot of the pressure off.
I'm pretty sure I saw that first rag chew video with Aaron! I'll have to check out yours too. That's awesome he got his first with you! I really appreciate that, Evan! The LICW QSO protocol is something I'm going to look up right away. The POTA script is what changed the game for me and gave me the courage to get on the air. If I can get my hands on some sort of protocol and at least have a game plan my confidence would increase significantly. Especially because I feel I could copy fairly decent in that 16-18wpm, like you said.
@@Utahforrest I can send you the LICW QSO protocol if you can't find it. I'm about to go into a cave, otherwise I'd send it to you right now 😂
CW POTA let’s go. 🔥 I don’t have a license or know CW. But I bought that sweet Ukrainian key!
No way! That's awesome, did you go with the CT-599MX or which one? Stick with it. I purchased a few keys before I ever made a QSO. I really recommend LCWO.net for copying practice. Just start at slow speeds and work to get 90% scores on the lessons and then increase your speed. As soon as you're able to send the pota script go get on the air! For licensing, I just did memorization from practice tests with the Ham Radio Prep app. You can get licensed very quickly just from memorization. I know a lot of Generals and Extras who passed their tests this way. Just blitz practice tests and start to familiarize yourself with the correct answers. Shoot me an email from my QRZ if I can help in any way!
@@Utahforrest CT 599MX. Actually I'm supposed to have a paddle key already but it's in the USPS vortex. AND big thanks to you and several people here.
I’m down for a ragchew if conditions cooperate!
Appreciate that man. KH1 whip to whip rag chew? Now that'd be epic. Fun fact yesterday I was QRP activating with the whip and sent to you a few times but you couldn't hear me. I switched out rigs for fun (went to the MTR4b and threw an inverted V EFHW up in a tree) and that's when you hunted me. Thanks for sticking with me but I was absolutely stoked to get the P2P with you QRP.
Cool to see him on a podcast and not on stage! Neat to get to know the guy a bit :)
QSOs are like the old version of NFTs today.... LOL , K4NAL