This video takes you through my standard kit for HF SOTA/Portable operation. It outlines what I take and why. You get to see the Elecraft KX3 in use towards the end.
Yes, others told me about this. I've never been asked for it, but would prove useful if anyone ever mistook me for a spy or pirate radio technician etc...
here in the States, we used to hafta carry ours with us (Ham Radio Licenses) if we were operating portable/mobile, etc.....now, not so much......some super stations, W1AW, club stations require it....usually, they can check online.....I have two vehicles with two way FM, and VHF Amateur Radio recycled Motorola FM rigs, and have been questioned by cops before, and one checked online with his phone, and verified my Call.....my car has a scanner, radar detector, VHF FM 2 Meter, and Private band FM two-way, and a CB Radio....back-up Car just a radar detector, CB, and Ham 2Mtr. VHF Rig....sometimes, ya gotta explain yourself a bit, and since most cops have smartphones, they can check you out fairly quickly....not sure how it is in other countries....waiting for summer so I can do some SW Montana SOTA's....hopefully more than last year.....getting older....damn it.
Good idea. I recorded a "How to Undertake a SOTA Activation - Step by Step Guide" video the other day for you, check it out: ua-cam.com/video/UuFrkTJV_Sc/v-deo.html 73, James M0JCQ
This is a brilliant video. You answered a lot of my questions about SOTA activation equipment here. I like not only the details but the production values and your presentation to the viewers (us!). I'm trying to gather info and get prepared for my first SOTA activation sometime later this month. The one thing that has me most concerned is the mast. There are a lot of "fishing pole" masts out there, some are made of carbon fiber, which might have a negative effect on signals. I'm trying to find a pole like yours but am unsure where to look. Thanks for your time....
Wow! That looks pretty bare bones. Do you ever take a tarp for shade or wind block? Sometimes I pack a trash can in my soft pack. It helps to hold the packs shape. When I get to where I'm going I can then use the trash can as a table or a chair if I have a stump for a table. Thanks for sharing your kit. 73 KE0OAP
Hi William, I don't personally use shelters on summits usually (unless spending a lot of time out in a contest). I know others like to use tarps supported with walking sticks. I will take a bothy bag with me and jump in if conditions are really awful! 73 James M0JCQ
Nice vid. Do the headlines need to be a certain plug type? I plugged my iPhone headphones into the speaker mic jack of my FY-60 and the radio freaked out / spazzed out
Hi James, Great video and subbed. I'll be taking my Foundation exam 3 weeks today, and will be looking to get into Sota as soon as I'm able. I'm wondering about the trade-off between the use of RG58 (heavier) and RG 174 (lighter but more signal loss) for your feeder. Do you have any experience of working either? Is the trade off in reduced weight worth it?
First of all, best of luck with your foundation exam, I'm sure you'll be on the air very soon! I've used both RG58 and RG174 on activations. Both are good, but as you say RG174 has additional losses. I've come to the conclusion that the weight saving of RG174 is worth the small losses at HF with a short run of say 10m. I wouldn't use it above 10m due to the larger losses but on HF I've found it to be fine. One other thing to note with RG174 is that it's only really to be used for low power (i.e. 10w). It feels physically warm when you run 50w into it and would possibly melt at 100w ;) 73 James M0JCQ
nice one James ! A couple of thoughts.... perhaps pick up a lipo charge bag and use that to carry the lipo. Will contain any fire if things were to go pear shaped. A small basic first aid kit might be a good addition. Perhaps some cheapo velcro straps to keep the feeder on the post. Do you connect the ipad to the radio at all? Great stetup. 73 Richie MW0LGE
Thanks Richie. The batteries are LiFePo batteries so not as susceptible as regular LiPo batteries to catching fire during charging. Good shout on the first aid kit, I only really take this if I'm going somewhere a bit more serious. The velcro straps and bungees are in the "guying stuff" bug, I just didn't unpack that :)
Also, never connected the iPad to the KX3. I do use a small Windows tablet (with keyboard) for contests which I've got set-up for rig control and logging purposes.
Hello James i use Elastic Tie With Clip to attach coax and other jobs need doing instead of Zip ties. Not sure if you get them in UK they were in the IT section at the hardware store for securing cabling . www.smarthp.com .au Smart Home Products. They come in a pack of 6 with 15cm of stretchy cord and a green plastic end to hook the cord through and pull tight . The only trouble is they are so useful you need a couple packets in you back pack as they get lost or used up on jobs around the activation. Ian vk5cz ..
Thanks for such a great video and explanation of your kit. Lots of SOTAbeam bits for sure but the idea of the dry bag for the KX3 is brilliant. I am going to get one this evening from the outdoor store. Have you had any luck with NVIS?
Yes, it really gives me piece of mind when walking in terrible WX! 60m has proven reliable for NVIS during the day and 80m in the evening. 40m NVIS has been fleeting this year, maybe caught 2 openings so far :(
That's a good question, it was simple when I got the KX3, the KX2 wasn't out! Now I'd ask if I needed the 160m and 6m bands. The KX3 is more upgradeable with 2m/4m and filter modules. I do use the extra KX3 features and would personally choose this again. 73 James M0JCQ
@@M0JCQsSOTAChannel Thanks so much for this, I didn't realise the KX2 was not upgradeable. Come to think of it and after having just come back from a 2 week SOTA expedition in North Wales and the Yorkshire Dales, I would be extremely nervous about bringing up such an expensive radio (with filters and built in ATU etc) in what I found to be such severe conditions on the top of these summits (even when the weather is pleasent at the start of the journey). I remember that most of my equipment got flooded with precipitation - and even if it's mild, you are going to be up for around 20min and the build of water does become apparent. All my equipment survived including the FT-65 but that's already got a fair bit of weather protection on. Thinking about it, I would actually be inclined to think a KX2/3 would be rather bad choice for UK summits - for this reason alone - not sure if you'd agree? Maybe an FT-817 would be a far better choice - even though it's a worse radio.
@@adriansalt4521 It is true. The KX3/KX2 are more fragile than the 817. You have to be careful with rain/water. I keep my KX3 in a waterproof bag inside my rucksack. I have both the 817 and KX3 and my experience is the 817 barely gets a look in. The KX3 is better in almost every other aspect!
Results of a survey of the "ins" and "outs" of portable operation of a ham radio station by the most active NPOTA Activators: www.learnerassociates.net/portableop/
"How to" videos are definitely very valuable. I plan on doing a more detailed one on setting up antennas shortly.
Great video, it has inspired me to get involved with Sota, I will start with 2 meters on my Icom handi and arrow Yagi antenna when it arrives.
Having a copy of your license is a good idea, good video👍🏻👍🏻
Yes, others told me about this. I've never been asked for it, but would prove useful if anyone ever mistook me for a spy or pirate radio technician etc...
here in the States, we used to hafta carry ours with us (Ham Radio Licenses) if we were operating portable/mobile, etc.....now, not so much......some super stations, W1AW, club stations require it....usually, they can check online.....I have two vehicles with two way FM, and VHF Amateur Radio recycled Motorola FM rigs, and have been questioned by cops before, and one checked online with his phone, and verified my Call.....my car has a scanner, radar detector, VHF FM 2 Meter, and Private band FM two-way, and a CB Radio....back-up Car just a radar detector, CB, and Ham 2Mtr. VHF Rig....sometimes, ya gotta explain yourself a bit, and since most cops have smartphones, they can check you out fairly quickly....not sure how it is in other countries....waiting for summer so I can do some SW Montana SOTA's....hopefully more than last year.....getting older....damn it.
Fantastic video! how about a tutorial on setting up and activating a summit, procedures and correct terminology. (I'm only learning the hobby)
Good idea. I recorded a "How to Undertake a SOTA Activation - Step by Step Guide" video the other day for you, check it out:
ua-cam.com/video/UuFrkTJV_Sc/v-deo.html
73, James M0JCQ
suberb!!
Always enjoy your videos.😀
Thank you for the introduction to SOTA.
Great video, oi from America and 73
This is a brilliant video. You answered a lot of my questions about SOTA activation equipment here. I like not only the details but the production values and your presentation to the viewers (us!). I'm trying to gather info and get prepared for my first SOTA activation sometime later this month. The one thing that has me most concerned is the mast. There are a lot of "fishing pole" masts out there, some are made of carbon fiber, which might have a negative effect on signals. I'm trying to find a pole like yours but am unsure where to look. Thanks for your time....
Nimrod Scott try Decathlon you’ll get a 7 meters fishing rod(mast) for a tenner
Wow! That looks pretty bare bones. Do you ever take a tarp for shade or wind block? Sometimes I pack a trash can in my soft pack. It helps to hold the packs shape. When I get to where I'm going I can then use the trash can as a table or a chair if I have a stump for a table. Thanks for sharing your kit. 73
KE0OAP
Great video James and very helpful. Do you take a shelter with you and if so, what do you use...? Will, M0LGW
Hi William,
I don't personally use shelters on summits usually (unless spending a lot of time out in a contest). I know others like to use tarps supported with walking sticks. I will take a bothy bag with me and jump in if conditions are really awful!
73 James M0JCQ
Nice vid. Do the headlines need to be a certain plug type? I plugged my iPhone headphones into the speaker mic jack of my FY-60 and the radio freaked out / spazzed out
Hi James, can I ask what size fuse you use from your battery to radio?
Hi James, Great video and subbed. I'll be taking my Foundation exam 3 weeks today, and will be looking to get into Sota as soon as I'm able. I'm wondering about the trade-off between the use of RG58 (heavier) and RG 174 (lighter but more signal loss) for your feeder. Do you have any experience of working either? Is the trade off in reduced weight worth it?
First of all, best of luck with your foundation exam, I'm sure you'll be on the air very soon! I've used both RG58 and RG174 on activations. Both are good, but as you say RG174 has additional losses. I've come to the conclusion that the weight saving of RG174 is worth the small losses at HF with a short run of say 10m. I wouldn't use it above 10m due to the larger losses but on HF I've found it to be fine.
One other thing to note with RG174 is that it's only really to be used for low power (i.e. 10w). It feels physically warm when you run 50w into it and would possibly melt at 100w ;)
73 James M0JCQ
Hi. Where did you find those winders? Also, what is the small "meter" you have attached to the battery? Thanks for the great video.
Apologies David, I must have missed this comment. The winders are from www.sotabeams.co.uk/antenna-wire-winders/
nice one James ! A couple of thoughts.... perhaps pick up a lipo charge bag and use that to carry the lipo. Will contain any fire if things were to go pear shaped. A small basic first aid kit might be a good addition. Perhaps some cheapo velcro straps to keep the feeder on the post. Do you connect the ipad to the radio at all? Great stetup. 73 Richie MW0LGE
Thanks Richie. The batteries are LiFePo batteries so not as susceptible as regular LiPo batteries to catching fire during charging. Good shout on the first aid kit, I only really take this if I'm going somewhere a bit more serious. The velcro straps and bungees are in the "guying stuff" bug, I just didn't unpack that :)
Also, never connected the iPad to the KX3. I do use a small Windows tablet (with keyboard) for contests which I've got set-up for rig control and logging purposes.
ah yeah , forgot about that, they are more stable ! Great setup. Has given me some ideas to sort my own kit. cheers.
Thanks much. Great video. N2NUT
Hello James i use Elastic Tie With Clip to attach coax and other jobs need doing instead of Zip ties. Not sure if you get them in UK they were in the IT section at the hardware store for securing cabling . www.smarthp.com .au Smart Home Products. They come in a pack of 6 with 15cm of stretchy cord and a green plastic end to hook the cord through and pull tight . The only trouble is they are so useful you need a couple packets in you back pack as they get lost or used up on jobs around the activation. Ian vk5cz ..
I couldnt see the antenna if there was a Balun
Yes, there is. It's a 1:1 balun hidden behind the centre connector :) 73 James M0JCQ
can you show us the aplication on your ipad?
Thanks for such a great video and explanation of your kit. Lots of SOTAbeam bits for sure but the idea of the dry bag for the KX3 is brilliant. I am going to get one this evening from the outdoor store. Have you had any luck with NVIS?
Yes, it really gives me piece of mind when walking in terrible WX! 60m has proven reliable for NVIS during the day and 80m in the evening. 40m NVIS has been fleeting this year, maybe caught 2 openings so far :(
You need a smaller dry bag for the jacket and socks. The lads in the UK always complain about the weather 73s
Very informative video.....keep them coming :-)....73 de m0mco ( Mark )
hey James this is your nephew
Hi James, fantastic video, just wanted to know how you choose the KX3 over the KX2?
That's a good question, it was simple when I got the KX3, the KX2 wasn't out! Now I'd ask if I needed the 160m and 6m bands. The KX3 is more upgradeable with 2m/4m and filter modules.
I do use the extra KX3 features and would personally choose this again.
73 James M0JCQ
@@M0JCQsSOTAChannel Thanks so much for this, I didn't realise the KX2 was not upgradeable. Come to think of it and after having just come back from a 2 week SOTA expedition in North Wales and the Yorkshire Dales, I would be extremely nervous about bringing up such an expensive radio (with filters and built in ATU etc) in what I found to be such severe conditions on the top of these summits (even when the weather is pleasent at the start of the journey). I remember that most of my equipment got flooded with precipitation - and even if it's mild, you are going to be up for around 20min and the build of water does become apparent. All my equipment survived including the FT-65 but that's already got a fair bit of weather protection on. Thinking about it, I would actually be inclined to think a KX2/3 would be rather bad choice for UK summits - for this reason alone - not sure if you'd agree? Maybe an FT-817 would be a far better choice - even though it's a worse radio.
@@adriansalt4521 It is true. The KX3/KX2 are more fragile than the 817. You have to be careful with rain/water. I keep my KX3 in a waterproof bag inside my rucksack. I have both the 817 and KX3 and my experience is the 817 barely gets a look in. The KX3 is better in almost every other aspect!
Where do you get the winders? No one seems to know.
They're from SOTAbeams Tommy. www.sotabeams.co.uk/antenna-wire-winders/
Did a miss seeing a first aid kit?
I should really carry one of these...
Results of a survey of the "ins" and "outs" of portable operation of a ham radio station by the most active NPOTA Activators:
www.learnerassociates.net/portableop/
lol archie