On Monday, September 2, 2024, my good pal Vlado (N3CZ) and I spent Labor Day morning taking part in POTA.
Our first activation was at Lake James State Park, utilizing the brand new CFT1 QRP transceiver. It was numerous enjoyable–you’ll be able to learn the sphere report and watch the video by clicking right here.
For the second activation, I wished to take Vlado to a web site I’ve activated quite a few instances—one in all my favorites—that he had but to go to:
We arrived on-site round 11:00 AM and, no shock, had the place to ourselves. Truthfully, I hoped we’d see the three canine that usually pop by for a go to, however I imagine they had been on trip with everybody else!
We each figured 20 meters can be our bread-and-butter band for this activation. Extra importantly, our transceiver was a 20-meter monoband (extra on that under), so I deployed my new 20-meter end-fed half-wave antenna.
This specific EFHW is constructed on a transformer by Walter (NE4TN) at TennTennas.
I’ll have talked about earlier than that Walter gave me this little 49:1 transformer at Hamvention this 12 months after I met him in individual. Walter is one in all my prime hunters in POTA, and I can usually depend on listening to his name after I’m on 40 meters.
Walter handed me this little transformer as a thanks, with no obligation to advertise—actually, he didn’t even inform me the place they could possibly be bought.
However I’m a sucker for home-grown mom-and-pop ham radio companies, so after all, I’m going to plug it! He sells these on eBay (partnership hyperlink) for $39 every as a small aspect enterprise. Not a nasty worth for a stable little 49:1!
As I discussed, I trimmed this one for 20 meters, however I’ll seemingly make it a linked antenna with 30 and/or 40 meters as properly sometime.
I used to be additionally excited that Vlado introduced alongside his homebrew 20-meter QRP transceiver.
I had seen this radio in his shack throughout varied phases of growth, however I had by no means had a possibility to make use of it within the area.
I’m undecided if Vlado had used it for a POTA activation but, actually.
His little transceiver is tremendous easy however sports activities correct filtering, an OLED show, and, regardless of the big battery he linked to it, has modest energy necessities.
He constructed it into an previous Kenwood VHF radio chassis he discovered at a hamfest. I’ve been with Vlado earlier than when he’s hunted for chassis for his varied homebrew tasks. The OM is at all times constructing or repairing one thing in his shack.
We had been actually wanting ahead to placing this little transceiver on the air!
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- Transceiver:
- N3CZ’s homebrew transceiver
- Key:
- Antenna system:
- Energy supply:
- Different equipment:
- Digital camera:
On The Air
As with our first activation that day, we determined to take turns with one radio as an alternative of establishing two stations. Vlado was the primary op to start out calling CQ POTA!
Fortuitously, the band was nonetheless wholesome.
Vlado began logging calls instantly and at tempo. Inside 14 minutes, he’d labored 11 stations and determined at hand the important thing over to me.
I had the identical expertise as Vlado—a gentle provide of hunters rolling in!
I logged 16 contacts in 17 minutes, then referred to as QRT. Whereas I’d have preferred to remain on the air a bit longer, each Vlado and I had been prepared to search out some lunch!
Right here’s what this five-watt activation seemed like when plotted out on a QSO Map (click on map to enlarge):
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of the whole 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.
Observe that Patreon supporters can watch and even obtain this video 100% ad-free by way of Vimeo on my Patreon web page:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
This brief activation—and the one earlier that morning—was numerous enjoyable. It was even higher as a result of I received to function Vlado’s homebrew transceiver and pair it with my new TennTennas EFHW transformer.
Publish-activation, Vlado and I made our means into downtown Marion, NC, for some very good barbecue at Smoke a ‘Lil Smoke.
After that, we referred to as it a day and made our means again to our QTHs. I’m so glad my spouse prompt I name Vlado for a little bit POTA rove on Labor Day morning!
Thanks for becoming a member of Vlado and me throughout this activation!
I hope you loved the sphere report and activation video as a lot as I loved creating them!
In fact, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular due to these of you who’ve been supporting the positioning and channel by way of 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 in addition downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account additionally serves as a 3rd backup for my video recordsdata.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me! Right here’s wishing you a really radio-active week!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
