I started listening to SW about two years ago. I found your channel a few weeks ago. I have no idea what's happening most of this video, but I'm deeply fascinated.
If you are listening to SW then make sure that your receiver has a BFO so it can pick up SSB and CW. The DEGEN 1103 pre DSP model I recommend. It has one issue - it refuses to start up unless there are charged batteries in the radio even though you have 6V connected on the Aux power supply. . If you want a Pre DSP model (DIgital processing system) you have to get one second hand. ON issue they are not compatible with a dipole antenna. The Sangean ATS 803A is also a good bet a larger radio and it has a 75 ohm jack point on the back and an external antenna in out switch so it can take a coax input from a dipole. THe Sangean seems slightly less sensitive than the DEGEN radio Rx to me. THe TECSUN PL -330 is supposed to be a close runner to the 1103 and costs about 90 USD or so on line. If you want a CW / Morse radio then the Hilltopper series from Fourstate QRP group (GOOGLE, try GroupsIO ) is a pretty good deal at $125 including freight . It's not as sophisticated as the Qrp labs (Turkey) radios but there's a lot less to go wrong in building it. It has input for a paddle type keyer and can annunciate the frequency it is on in Morse code at a button push eg 7 0 1 1 . 1 2 3 Mhz at the push of a button . This saves the cost of adding an LCD display. You do need to be able to solder and read circuit diagrams though. THese are kitted in batches and are sometimes unavailable for months at a time. THe big advantage of the Qcx from Qrp labs isthat it has a morse decoder and a morse practice mode too (noise out but no transmission). The Hilltoppers are far more proof against mismatched antennas than the Qcx from Qrp labs. Qcxes blow up when using long wire antennas pretty regularly. Blow up as in cooked power transistors .
This is my favorite YT channel by far. I would love to see a video comparing lower budget transceivers (eg. QCX mini, trusdx, MTR, SW-3B). I am the type of ham who values simplicity, compactness, and ease of deployment. I am learning CW because it is just so efficient with the little bandwidth it takes up. The QCX mini seems perfect if you are willing to limit operations to a single band: no tuner needed, one resonant antenna to pack, small battery for low power consumption, etc… The nice rigs you use are great, and one day I hope to own a premium portable transceiver, but for now I am just getting my feet wet and seeing if QRP is a mode for me. So I’d love to see you compare common small rigs under $400. Thanks for all you do!!!!
I did a SOTA activation today and conditions was pretty poor but did good on 2m FM. Tonight I was on 40m from backyard and conditions were way better. 73, de W2MSA
Another quality video - thanks. Question for you: do you seek out a park ranger or other official and get permission to operate on all your activations?
I do if the park is new to me and staff are readily available. I typically only ask once, though and then assume it's okay to operate for future activations unless someone says otherwise. It's actually a pretty complicated answer, in truth, though, because it does depend on the type of park. Some national parks are vast and you'll never see a ranger or staff member. Just try to use best practices and leave no trace. I speak about this at some length in this article: qrper.com/2024/02/building-positive-park-relations-elevating-our-role-as-pota-activators/?swcfpc=1
KD2OMV - He's using a bug. Also, couldn't agree more with the audio on the TR-45L. So far, I absolutely love mine. I got rid of my IC-705, and replaced it with this.
How do you compare the TR-45 to your K1? I really like the K1 and have a TR-35 that is nice but is no way similar. The TR-45 would be a better comparison.
Great question. So I don't actually have a K1 right now. I did over a decade ago and (stupidly) sold it. The K1 is a brilliant little radio. Golly...I'm not sure which radio I'd prefer...
1:38 Should become your tagline, as most of your videos start with "Going to have to do a fairly quick activation" or "I don't have much time today" ... Then proceeds to do a > 45 minute video 😋
It was great chatting with you at FDIM. I sometimes enjoy the challenging band conditions. "Earning" an activation can be rewarding in itself. 72 de AI4TB
I started listening to SW about two years ago. I found your channel a few weeks ago. I have no idea what's happening most of this video, but I'm deeply fascinated.
Welcome to the party!
You are welcome here! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
If you are listening to SW then make sure that your receiver has a BFO so it can pick up SSB and CW. The DEGEN 1103 pre DSP model I recommend. It has one issue - it refuses to start up unless there are charged batteries in the radio even though you have 6V connected on the Aux power supply. . If you want a Pre DSP model (DIgital processing system) you have to get one second hand. ON issue they are not compatible with a dipole antenna. The Sangean ATS 803A is also a good bet a larger radio and it has a 75 ohm jack point on the back and an external antenna in out switch so it can take a coax input from a dipole.
THe Sangean seems slightly less sensitive than the DEGEN radio Rx to me. THe TECSUN PL -330 is supposed to be a close runner to the 1103 and costs about 90 USD or so on line.
If you want a CW / Morse radio then the Hilltopper series from Fourstate QRP group (GOOGLE, try GroupsIO ) is a pretty good deal at $125 including freight . It's not as sophisticated as the Qrp labs (Turkey) radios but there's a lot less to go wrong in building it.
It has input for a paddle type keyer and can annunciate the frequency it is on in Morse code at a button push eg 7 0 1 1 . 1 2 3 Mhz at the push of a button . This saves the cost of adding an LCD display. You do need to be able to solder and read circuit diagrams though. THese are kitted in batches and are sometimes unavailable for months at a time. THe big advantage of the Qcx from Qrp labs isthat it has a morse decoder and a morse practice mode too (noise out but no transmission). The Hilltoppers are far more proof against mismatched antennas than the Qcx from Qrp labs. Qcxes blow up when using long wire antennas pretty regularly. Blow up as in cooked power transistors .
Enjoying the videos but loved the brief perilous journey of that spider. Keep up the great content.
I like your videos exactly because you don't edit them. They are relaxing because they are at a natural human pace.
Thank you. :)
This is my favorite YT channel by far. I would love to see a video comparing lower budget transceivers (eg. QCX mini, trusdx, MTR, SW-3B). I am the type of ham who values simplicity, compactness, and ease of deployment. I am learning CW because it is just so efficient with the little bandwidth it takes up. The QCX mini seems perfect if you are willing to limit operations to a single band: no tuner needed, one resonant antenna to pack, small battery for low power consumption, etc…
The nice rigs you use are great, and one day I hope to own a premium portable transceiver, but for now I am just getting my feet wet and seeing if QRP is a mode for me. So I’d love to see you compare common small rigs under $400.
Thanks for all you do!!!!
I will put this in my video ideas box! Thank you!
I did a SOTA activation today and conditions was pretty poor but did good on 2m FM. Tonight I was on 40m from backyard and conditions were way better.
73, de W2MSA
Yes, sometimes when we have miserable daytime conditions, they improve dramatically on the lower bands at night.
ABR makes good stuff. I use it all the time.
Love that radio! Will keep your dad in our prayers.
Thank you. :)
👍👍 Thanks!
I hope your dad is doing well 😊
He is improving. Thank you!
👍
best wishes for your father
Another quality video - thanks. Question for you: do you seek out a park ranger or other official and get permission to operate on all your activations?
I do if the park is new to me and staff are readily available. I typically only ask once, though and then assume it's okay to operate for future activations unless someone says otherwise. It's actually a pretty complicated answer, in truth, though, because it does depend on the type of park. Some national parks are vast and you'll never see a ranger or staff member. Just try to use best practices and leave no trace. I speak about this at some length in this article: qrper.com/2024/02/building-positive-park-relations-elevating-our-role-as-pota-activators/?swcfpc=1
KD2OMV - He's using a bug.
Also, couldn't agree more with the audio on the TR-45L. So far, I absolutely love mine. I got rid of my IC-705, and replaced it with this.
Hi Thomas,
Roughly how high are the branches that you generally tend to use ? I would presume around 10m.
Yes, probably 10 to as much as 15 meters if I'm using a really long wire antenna.
How do you compare the TR-45 to your K1? I really like the K1 and have a TR-35 that is nice but is no way similar. The TR-45 would be a better comparison.
Great question. So I don't actually have a K1 right now. I did over a decade ago and (stupidly) sold it. The K1 is a brilliant little radio. Golly...I'm not sure which radio I'd prefer...
😢@@ThomasK4SWL
1:38 Should become your tagline, as most of your videos start with "Going to have to do a fairly quick activation" or "I don't have much time today" ... Then proceeds to do a > 45 minute video 😋
😆 So true!!!!
It was great chatting with you at FDIM. I sometimes enjoy the challenging band conditions. "Earning" an activation can be rewarding in itself. 72 de AI4TB
The pleasure was all mine! Thanks for seeking me out, OM!