Labor Day weekend turned out to be filled with labor right here at QTH K4SWL. My spouse and I had quite a few initiatives to sort out, and my daughters had varied actions scheduled as nicely. By Sunday, my spouse checked out me and mentioned, “You want a break. Why not spend tomorrow catching up on POTA?”
That was music to my ears.
I messaged my buddy, Vlado, to see if he may be focused on becoming a member of me, and he shortly replied, “After all!”
So on Monday, September 2, 2024, Vlado packed his radio gear in my automotive, and we mentioned the place we must always go. We had a lot of the day for radio, however we wanted to resolve if we’d head north, south, east, or west. Ultimately, we selected to journey east, because it supplied probably the most choices, together with one web site Vlado had by no means activated.
We determined to start out at Lake James State Park. Since Vlado had solely activated Lake James for the primary time the day past on the Paddy’s Creek Entry, we opted for the Catawba River Entry.
It was Labor Day, so we knew Lake James would get busy round lunchtime, which is why we hit it early. I additionally knew Paddy’s Creek Entry could be a lot busier immediately as a result of it has the seaside, and I remembered how full the parking zone was throughout my Labor Day activation in 2023!
At 9:00 AM, when Vlado and I arrived on the Catawba River entry, we had been among the many few folks there, so we had our decide of spots to arrange the POTA station.
For comfort—particularly since there had been a deluge of rain the evening earlier than—we selected a spot near the automotive, the place I’ve activated numerous occasions previously.
I additionally took this chance to point out Vlado how you can use an arborist throw line.
Whereas I didn’t document the antenna deployment—frankly, I didn’t give it some thought on the time—I want I had. Vlado was a pure!
On his second-ever throw, he snagged the right department to deploy a 40-meter end-fed half-wave antenna.
I knew precisely which radio I needed to function throughout this activation: the CFT1 by Jonathan (KM4CFT).
I had solely just lately swapped out my Beta unit for a manufacturing CFT1. As a thank-you to Beta testers, Jonathan allow us to hold the items we examined. I labored with Jonathan and Dan to return the Beta unit and compensate them for the distinction.
In reality, there have been only some modifications, largely beauty, between the Beta and manufacturing items. The largest enchancment for me was that the Beta unit lacked a method to alter the sidetone degree independently from the AF acquire. The manufacturing unit has this characteristic, which was my major motivation for upgrading.
As well as, I desire utilizing radios that match what my readers and subscribers have. After I use a Beta unit, even when the modifications are purely beauty, it generates extra questions.
Apparently, this wouldn’t be Vlado’s first time utilizing the CFT1. He will need to have been one of many first folks outdoors the Beta testing group to strive it as a result of we used it on Discipline Day alongside the TR-45L and X6200 (though you received’t see it in my report because it was nonetheless considerably of a secret mission on the time).
We paired my MW0SAW 40-meter EFHW and Bamakey TP-III with the CFT1. I additionally used my Anker Soundcore Mini speaker for audio.
Time to POTA!
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- Transceiver:
- Key:
- Antenna system:
- Energy supply:
- Different equipment:
- Digital camera:
Beforehand, Vlado and I made a decision to arrange only one station and take turns activating.
Vlado went first! He referred to as CQ POTA, and hunters began replying.
Inside eleven minutes, he had already logged his first ten contacts for a sound activation. He added three extra, bringing his complete to 13 contacts, earlier than handing the important thing to me.
Listed here are Vlado’s logs:
Vlado definitely warmed up the band as a result of exercise solely elevated because the morning went on.
I labored my first ten contacts in simply eight minutes!
The pileup saved rising.
At this level, I felt a bit responsible persevering with to reply calls since Vlado and I had been splitting our time, and we had no less than yet another activation deliberate for the day. Nevertheless, he inspired me to maintain working the pileup.
Ultimately, I logged 24 contacts in 20 minutes! For me, that was working at full throttle!
What a blast! Listed here are my logs:
Right here’s what this five-watt activation seemed like when plotted out on a QSO Map. Word that that is only a map of my contacts:
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of the complete activation. As with all of my movies, I don’t edit out any elements of the on-air activation time. As well as, I’ve monetization turned off on YouTube, though that doesn’t cease them from inserting adverts earlier than and after my movies.
Word that Patreon supporters can watch and even obtain this video 100% ad-free by Vimeo on my Patreon web page:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
After my first report and video of the CFT1 (again once I had the Beta unit), I obtained a number of feedback about how the CFT1 seems just like the QRP Labs QMX. It’s true! Jonathan, being an enormous fan of QRP Labs, was seemingly impressed by the QMX. However, to be clear, that’s the place the similarities finish.
Internally, the CFT1 is a very totally different radio—it’s extra akin to the Elecraft KX1, if something.
An assembled QMX prices solely $170–180 plus delivery, making it top-of-the-line radio offers on this planet. The package (with out the enclosure or any add-ons) is about $103—a discount!
The CFT1 package is priced at $349.95 plus delivery, which is analogous to what the Penntek TR-35 bought for.
I’ve been requested why the CFT1 prices extra and why somebody may select it over the QMX. Listed here are just a few factors from my replies:
- The CFT1 is less complicated for learners to construct, and there’s even a $30 possibility for pre-wound toroids.
- The CFT1 is an easier radio total. Jonathan designed it to be user-friendly within the area with out the necessity for a handbook or reference sheet.
- The CFT1 has 4 programmable CW reminiscence buttons on the entrance panel—good for area operators who ceaselessly use message reminiscences.
- Just like the QMX, the CFT1 is a cottage business product made within the USA, and buying it helps future developments.
I’m a fan of each the QMX and the CFT1.
In case you’re after a feature-packed, inexpensive QRP radio package, go for the QMX.
If you’d like an easier, CW-only radio with wonderful audio and receiver traits, the CFT1 is a superb selection!
Each radios are wonderful choices, and I like that we reside in a time with so many improbable area radio decisions.
I’m extremely happy with Jonathan—it’s arduous to imagine the CFT1 is his first radio design. It’s extra refined, proper out of the gate, than many radios I’ve examined over time.
Thanks
Thanks for becoming a member of Vlado me throughout this activation!
I hope you loved the sphere report and my activation video as a lot as I loved creating them!
After all, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular due to these of you who’ve been supporting the positioning and channel by Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will at all times be free, I actually recognize the assist.
As I discussed earlier than, the Patreon platform linked to Vimeo makes it potential for me to share movies that aren’t solely 100% ad-free but additionally downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account additionally serves as a 3rd backup for my video information.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me! Have a superb week!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
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