I'm working on learning CW well enough to finally get on the air and I really enjoy your videos. They make a nice break between lcwo practice. Really enjoy the pace and variety of your activations. Hope to catch you on the air, eventually.
@@ThomasK4SWL You have more confidence than I do, but I'll keep at it! :) If nothing else, QRP power levels and small radios like the QCX-mini are incredibly appealing for things like POTA. Maybe a P2P one day! 73 de AB4EN
@@BenVonHandorf confidence will come with time, of course. My take from the beginning is I simply rely on the courtesy and kindness of the op on the other end. All CW ops have been beginners and I think you'll find that they're eager (I know I am) to work with you. Truth is, I let CW intimidate me for way too long and I decided that confidence or not, I was going to get on the air with it. I started making videos after I had only been activating with CW for a month or less, in fact. Even today, I find myself making mistakes in both sending and copying--with a camera recording everything for future generations!--but I decided my poor ego couldn't be deflated further, so here we are. :) Take your time and don't stress--start hunting POTA and SOTA stations in CW first, then move on to activating. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL
Lots of rain and thunderstorms that week. I took my KX3 to Boy Scout camp in Indiana. I threw a random wire in a tree to demonstrate Amateur Radio to a few parents and kids. It worked perfectly.
It is indeed. When I go back and listen to portions of the video--I'm amazed at the calls I hear in the pile-up. So many I don't hear when I'm in the field.
Ha ha! Being a certified radio enabler, I feel obligated to point out, "One can never have enough radios!" :) The FT-818/817 is a brilliant CW radio as long as you have a good filter installed. I love the audio and even the full break-in QSK. POTA on, my friend! 73, Thomas K4SWL
Thanks for this Thomas, most enjoyable and very useful to see how minimal you keep the QSOs and logging. The whole video is a great encouragement for those new to to CW or (very) out of practice like me and it's probably better practice than something like a tutor program as you had different conditions and sending styles to contend with. I love my 817 though I too have other rigs. 73, Simon G0CIQ . .
Great new key Thomas. I broke and purchased a single lever yesterday. And it’s a begali. Haha. Tnx for encouraging people to get on Cw. Pota is a great place to start after learning the 40 characters isn’t it. Hpe to catch ya soon bud
Wow! A Begali! Those are amazing and the Begali family are good friends. A proper investment and work of art you have there! :) I need to get one, too.
On the left side of your paddle box, I see one adjustment screw whereas on CW Morse website, I see two. This makes me wonder. Your cable matches the orange color very well!
Since I now only do QRP portable, All of my coax cables and antennas use BNC's. I even made a two position antenna switch used for testing different antennas and it's also BNC. I wish all radio manufactures would use BNC for all radios 200 watts or less. Again, nice video and nice setup. I think I'd have a hard time with those paddles. They are nice paddles but the feel would be different. Barry, KU3X/QRP
I agree 100% about BNCs. Probably 75-80% of all my field gear is BNC-based. The remaining 20-25% causes me a headache because I have to carry those SO-239 to BNC adapters. :) Thanks for the kind comments, Barry! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL
love your videos! learning a lot! i also started learning a bit of cw because of your videos, would you have any suggestions on how to learn faster or more efficiently? thanks 73s
I would certainly suggest checking out the Long Island CW Club. They've so many resources, classes, and their discussion group is also amazing. longislandcwclub.org/ You might also try listening to the ARRL Bulletin CW practice. They're available on the ARRL site free of charge and are in various code speeds. You've got this! You'll soon be sending and receiving those dits and dahs!
With voice the park number is sent....why don't you send the park number ? Why is CW different information. I would want to know the number for the log.😢
It's just not convention for CW exchanges--in CW, it does add quite a bit of time to each exchange too, esp if repeated. POTA actually has no formal exchange. Check out their FAQ: docs.pota.app/docs/rules.html#logging-requirements
Another great activation to watch on the road. So, what was your take away from the single lever paddle? I’m still in my CW infancy and I think I do the same thing that you do; I never actually use the two in conjunction to form letters. I do wonder however what the advantage of a single lever key would be.
Peter, if you don't use a dual paddle for true Iambic (i.e. squeeze keying) then the advantage of using a single lever is that you can't accidentally "squeeze" and generate something unexpected. Most of the CW ops that I know who use a dual lever paddle don't take advantage of iambic keying. It makes me wonder why there are so many dual lever paddles for sale and so few (comparatively) single lever models. - Michael VE3WMB
Yes, Michael is correct. At home, I often use my old Vibroplex single lever paddle. I think that's why I do less Iambic "squeezing" in the field. I found that the times I've used single levers in the field it seems my CW is a bit cleaner. When I do use true iambic, is typically in those routine parts of the exchange: CQ, 73s, etc.
What I've done, so that I don't have to use both hands to manipulate the paddle. is put some "double lock" or "mushroom lock" Velcro on the bottom of my paddle and on top of a clipboard. "Hook and loop" Velcro has too much wiggle. This holds the paddle very securely while sending and allows me to use my other hand to write, push buttons, turn knobs, etc.. Just a tip that I've found to be helpful. 73, K7SFA
niceone thanks - i went to ur qrp page to get the link for that paddle and it keeps coming up 404 not found - wud u happen to have the link thanks 73 dit dit
Hello Tomas, kx3 or xiegu x5105 or ic-705? Sota (average of 2 hours of medium hiking)...and only cw, EFHF on harder hiking and linked dipole on easy/short hike
@@georgewashington7444 MTR in EU is quite expensive (taxes etc). SW3B...I will buy probably...But until then...kx3 or xiegu x5105 or ic-705 (I already have kx3...but I am not shure if is worth to change with different trx...)...but, from time to time...I will use trx also for other portable operation (not just sota).
Really tough call because the X5105 is less than half the price of the others but will be just as effective (if not more so) because it has both a built-in battery and ATU. I'm a massive fan of the KX3--with the roofing filter, it's probably the highest performance radio I own. I also love the IC-705 for its performance and features--like the battery pack, too. For SOTA? It's hard to beat the X5105--doesn't have the performance or features of the IC-705/KX3, but it gets the job done.
@@ThomasK4SWL I already have KX3 (is very nice rig, with atu, useless internal batteries and roofing filter)...and I was thinking to sell the rig and buy something different...for this reason ask...
I heard Yaesu is going to update the FT-818 going forward and name the new radio the FT-819 and the only upgrade is that it puts out 7 watts instead of 6 and a smaller Li-On battery. (completely Joking_lol ) 😆 Seriously, I hope Yaesu stays in the game, and makes a new field radio. Yes, I am enjoying my new to me 818. Waiting for a DSP unit from Sotabeams this week.
I'm working on learning CW well enough to finally get on the air and I really enjoy your videos. They make a nice break between lcwo practice.
Really enjoy the pace and variety of your activations. Hope to catch you on the air, eventually.
Brilliant, Benjamin! I hope to work you one day on the air. That would be fantastic! You're well on your way to being a CW op! You've got this!
@@ThomasK4SWL You have more confidence than I do, but I'll keep at it! :) If nothing else, QRP power levels and small radios like the QCX-mini are incredibly appealing for things like POTA.
Maybe a P2P one day!
73 de AB4EN
@@BenVonHandorf confidence will come with time, of course. My take from the beginning is I simply rely on the courtesy and kindness of the op on the other end. All CW ops have been beginners and I think you'll find that they're eager (I know I am) to work with you. Truth is, I let CW intimidate me for way too long and I decided that confidence or not, I was going to get on the air with it. I started making videos after I had only been activating with CW for a month or less, in fact. Even today, I find myself making mistakes in both sending and copying--with a camera recording everything for future generations!--but I decided my poor ego couldn't be deflated further, so here we are. :) Take your time and don't stress--start hunting POTA and SOTA stations in CW first, then move on to activating. Cheers, Thomas K4SWL
Lots of rain and thunderstorms that week. I took my KX3 to Boy Scout camp in Indiana. I threw a random wire in a tree to demonstrate Amateur Radio to a few parents and kids. It worked perfectly.
Brilliant! And great to get you in the logs! Thanks for the contacts!
First time I've seen a glimpse of a QSO with someone who is proficient at Morse... Awesome! 😃
Nice setup with the speaker wire
congratulations Thomas Another fantastic video 73 my friend from kb2uew
I used to pass it on the way to work but never visited. Lived in Winston-Salem back then.
Listening to and analyzing “pileup” dynamics is interesting. And probably much easier when you’re not also operating the station.
It is indeed. When I go back and listen to portions of the video--I'm amazed at the calls I hear in the pile-up. So many I don't hear when I'm in the field.
Nice video...I am learning the code again and I was using your video as code practice :-)
Thank you! And great job learning code! You've got this! :)
Thomas, as always, a great video. If I didn't already have a triad of QRP rigs I would definitely try the FT-817ND. POTA on!
Ha ha! Being a certified radio enabler, I feel obligated to point out, "One can never have enough radios!" :) The FT-818/817 is a brilliant CW radio as long as you have a good filter installed. I love the audio and even the full break-in QSK. POTA on, my friend! 73, Thomas K4SWL
Thanks for this Thomas, most enjoyable and very useful to see how minimal you keep the QSOs and logging. The whole video is a great encouragement for those new to to CW or (very) out of practice like me and it's probably better practice than something like a tutor program as you had different conditions and sending styles to contend with. I love my 817 though I too have other rigs. 73, Simon G0CIQ . .
So glad you enjoyed it, Simon! Thank you.
Another outstanding activation Thomas!!
73!
De N1XV
Great new key Thomas. I broke and purchased a single lever yesterday. And it’s a begali. Haha. Tnx for encouraging people to get on Cw. Pota is a great place to start after learning the 40 characters isn’t it. Hpe to catch ya soon bud
Wow! A Begali! Those are amazing and the Begali family are good friends. A proper investment and work of art you have there! :) I need to get one, too.
@@ThomasK4SWL you will love one Thomas. I purchased the hst. However I will say in the 20wpm category , the cheaper keys work just fine 😁
On the left side of your paddle box, I see one adjustment screw whereas on CW Morse website, I see two. This makes me wonder. Your cable matches the orange color very well!
So this is a single lever paddle model that I don't think they produce these days. That likely explains the differences.
I do want to try a single lever paddle. I learned with dual in iambic mode however so it may not be a good fit. I shall build one!
Excellent! Share pics when you're finished!
Man, a 10pt summit right now! Hang on
Since I now only do QRP portable, All of my coax cables and antennas use BNC's. I even made a two position antenna switch used for testing different antennas and it's also BNC.
I wish all radio manufactures would use BNC for all radios 200 watts or less.
Again, nice video and nice setup. I think I'd have a hard time with those paddles. They are nice paddles but the feel would be different.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
PS..... I like the idea of the speaker wire antenna. The name says it all.....it's a simple antenna that anybody can build.
Barry
I agree 100% about BNCs. Probably 75-80% of all my field gear is BNC-based. The remaining 20-25% causes me a headache because I have to carry those SO-239 to BNC adapters. :) Thanks for the kind comments, Barry! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL
I need help copying what Thomas sends at 11:36. Im not sure why this one particular section is so hard for me to follow
BK TU 73 DE K4SWL dit dit ‐-n1bs
love your videos! learning a lot! i also started learning a bit of cw because of your videos, would you have any suggestions on how to learn faster or more efficiently? thanks 73s
I would certainly suggest checking out the Long Island CW Club. They've so many resources, classes, and their discussion group is also amazing. longislandcwclub.org/
You might also try listening to the ARRL Bulletin CW practice. They're available on the ARRL site free of charge and are in various code speeds.
You've got this! You'll soon be sending and receiving those dits and dahs!
@@ThomasK4SWL thank you! I will go and take a look!
Can you tell my where you got your short jumper between the radio and T1. I need to get one.
I got mine from ABR Industries. I believe Packtenna also sells them. They're RG-316.
fantastic video 73 my friend from DG1GHR
Hi what’s the camera here or how are you recording this setup?
I use an OSMO Action camera. The 1st gen one.
With voice the park number is sent....why don't you send the park number ? Why is CW different information. I would want to know the number for the log.😢
It's just not convention for CW exchanges--in CW, it does add quite a bit of time to each exchange too, esp if repeated. POTA actually has no formal exchange. Check out their FAQ: docs.pota.app/docs/rules.html#logging-requirements
Another great activation to watch on the road. So, what was your take away from the single lever paddle? I’m still in my CW infancy and I think I do the same thing that you do; I never actually use the two in conjunction to form letters. I do wonder however what the advantage of a single lever key would be.
Peter, if you don't use a dual paddle for true Iambic (i.e. squeeze keying) then the advantage of using a single lever is that you can't accidentally "squeeze" and generate something unexpected. Most of the CW ops that I know who use a dual lever paddle don't take advantage of iambic keying. It makes me wonder why there are so many dual lever paddles for sale and so few (comparatively) single lever models. - Michael VE3WMB
Yes, Michael is correct. At home, I often use my old Vibroplex single lever paddle. I think that's why I do less Iambic "squeezing" in the field. I found that the times I've used single levers in the field it seems my CW is a bit cleaner. When I do use true iambic, is typically in those routine parts of the exchange: CQ, 73s, etc.
What I've done, so that I don't have to use both hands to manipulate the paddle. is put some "double lock" or "mushroom lock" Velcro on the bottom of my paddle and on top of a clipboard. "Hook and loop" Velcro has too much wiggle. This holds the paddle very securely while sending and allows me to use my other hand to write, push buttons, turn knobs, etc.. Just a tip that I've found to be helpful. 73, K7SFA
Thank you! I'm actually planning to use this very product on one of my paddles soon to give it a go!
How did you like the single lever key? Looks great.
I love it! Since I don't do a lot of iambic keying, it likely equates to more accurate keying.
niceone thanks - i went to ur qrp page to get the link for that paddle and it keeps coming up 404 not found - wud u happen to have the link thanks 73 dit dit
Huh...I think they did away with that particular model. You might just check out their new single-lever paddles here: cwmorse.us/?ref=pHGSYqNC
@@ThomasK4SWL thankya Sir 73
All those great radios and you drag that hooptie out to the park...
:)
Hello Thomas, Nice video. Thanks for posting it. The stand on your FT817 is interesting. Where did you get it? Dave K2ZU
Portable Zero rails. I have them and they are awesome.
George is right: they're from Portable Zero. A great addition to the FT-817.
Hello Tomas, kx3 or xiegu x5105 or ic-705? Sota (average of 2 hours of medium hiking)...and only cw, EFHF on harder hiking and linked dipole on easy/short hike
MTR-3b
Or
MTR4b
Or
SW3B
@@georgewashington7444 MTR in EU is quite expensive (taxes etc). SW3B...I will buy probably...But until then...kx3 or xiegu x5105 or ic-705 (I already have kx3...but I am not shure if is worth to change with different trx...)...but, from time to time...I will use trx also for other portable operation (not just sota).
Really tough call because the X5105 is less than half the price of the others but will be just as effective (if not more so) because it has both a built-in battery and ATU. I'm a massive fan of the KX3--with the roofing filter, it's probably the highest performance radio I own. I also love the IC-705 for its performance and features--like the battery pack, too. For SOTA? It's hard to beat the X5105--doesn't have the performance or features of the IC-705/KX3, but it gets the job done.
@@ThomasK4SWL I already have KX3 (is very nice rig, with atu, useless internal batteries and roofing filter)...and I was thinking to sell the rig and buy something different...for this reason ask...
I heard Yaesu is going to update the FT-818 going forward and name the new radio the FT-819 and the only upgrade is that it puts out 7 watts instead of 6 and a smaller Li-On battery. (completely Joking_lol ) 😆
Seriously, I hope Yaesu stays in the game, and makes a new field radio. Yes, I am enjoying my new to me 818. Waiting for a DSP unit from Sotabeams this week.
Ha ha! :)