Nice one! Tom, believe it or not, my baby likes cw. The baby is a girl and at the last stages of my wife’s pregnancy I used to stay with her all the time and I used to watch cw activations and listen to the bands via sdrs. After the baby was born I realized she calms down when she hears cw, it think it makes her think she’s in the womb.. idk, but it’s funny 73
Nice video, I like that In pileups you try and dig out some of the weaker stations instead of grabbing the one on top. I also like you take your time with the less experienced operators. 73 KV5P
Most times when I've used the twirl and release method to toss a throw line, I wind up with a small rope burn on my fingers. If I use a little slip knot at the grip point, it is much better. However, lately, I have changed to a two-handed, under-the-leg, under-hand toss. I have much better accuracy with this method. On the gloves, I've used relatively thin gloves and cut the fingertips out for my thumb, fore and middle fingers. Allows me to easily key, write and operate the radio, and stay fairly warm. I see that your gloves accomplish the same thing, nice.
I also use the "granny shot" method of deploying a throw line. I find it most helpful under a thick canopy when I need to launch the line directly overhead. Thanks for the comment, Alan!
Yam sure you know this, but our backpack have seat couching that double up as your back protection when carrying, will keep you warm too. Now I’ll go back to learning CW, thanks.
So when I took my KX2 on it's maiden voyage two days ago I made a 28.5' random wire and 17' counterpoise. Attached it using a BNC binding post. And it would NOT tune up. The best the kx2 could get was 5:1. No clue why!
Gosh--I'm not sure why that would be the case. I tend to stick with a 28.5' radiator and counterpoise, but I know I've used 17' counterpoises with both a 28.5' and 31' radiator.
Nice! Enjoyed watching the antenna deployment. Wondering why you have your backlight on? As I recall it consumes about 20 ma and doesn''t contribute anything to the signal! 🙂
Great question. The backlight usually makes it a bit easier for the display to be readable on videos (although the angle isn't always conducive to easy viewing). That and even with the backlight on, I can usually fit in 6 full activations on one charge of the KX2 battery! :) That 20ma really has no impact on my operating. Again, great question!
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks! Through casual observations I've found that my energy budget is about 25 to 30 mAH average per contact for my typical operating, which involves 15 or 20 SSB and CW contacts, one hour of operating, and 10 watts. I believe you usually run five watts and have a higher contact rate (so less time spent in receive mode), resulting in a lower energy budget per contact. I most often use my 4.5 AH LiFePO4 battery and use 400 to 500 mAH per session. You're clearly using less energy and getting as many or more contacts. Fascinating and something that merits more study! I should challenge myself to see how low I can go in terms of average mAH/QSO and still have a successful activation!
Yes, W2AEW noted this as well. You might check out the "granny shot" method. I've also used this method and it's very effective with much less chance of rope burn. There's a video in this post: qrper.com/2020/09/a-field-antennas-best-friend-the-amazing-arborist-throw-line/
It the original Lowe Pro case Elecraft sold at the time (a CS60, if memory serves). Lowe Pro discontinued that pack, but Elecraft has them manufacture the bag now with Elecraft branding: elecraft.com/collections/kx2-accessories-qo/products/es60-compact-padded-carrying-case
@@ThomasK4SWL My daughter is a photographer and just gave me an "excess to her needs" Lowepro padded camera case. It's oblong shaped but a perfect fit for the KX-2 and accessories.
@@potaactivator That's brilliant, Bill! Those Lowe Pro bags are very well built. You'll have to share a photo of the pack when you've got it all kitted out. :)
I follow you closely. Living in Fl, but being a native Tarheel, and as much as I hunt POTA stations, especially NC stations, I'm surprised I haven't logged you. I'll continue to hunt you and enjoy your content. de K4CKR
Andi says that she is honored by your dedication. She’s watching the video as I type.
Nice one! Tom, believe it or not, my baby likes cw. The baby is a girl and at the last stages of my wife’s pregnancy I used to stay with her all the time and I used to watch cw activations and listen to the bands via sdrs. After the baby was born I realized she calms down when she hears cw, it think it makes her think she’s in the womb.. idk, but it’s funny
73
That is amazing, André! Thank you for sharing. :) Start them young, you say!
Something very calming and soothing about these videos 😁
Nice video, I like that In pileups you try and dig out some of the weaker stations instead of grabbing the one on top. I also like you take your time with the less experienced operators. 73 KV5P
Enjoyed, Thanks for sharing...
Most times when I've used the twirl and release method to toss a throw line, I wind up with a small rope burn on my fingers. If I use a little slip knot at the grip point, it is much better. However, lately, I have changed to a two-handed, under-the-leg, under-hand toss. I have much better accuracy with this method. On the gloves, I've used relatively thin gloves and cut the fingertips out for my thumb, fore and middle fingers. Allows me to easily key, write and operate the radio, and stay fairly warm. I see that your gloves accomplish the same thing, nice.
I also use the "granny shot" method of deploying a throw line. I find it most helpful under a thick canopy when I need to launch the line directly overhead. Thanks for the comment, Alan!
Great video Thomas! Thank you.
If you can keep a cat's attention you are working magic
You can't beat these vids with a stick..(old saying with new meaning) best regards, Tom, from lc
Yam sure you know this, but our backpack have seat couching that double up as your back protection when carrying, will keep you warm too. Now I’ll go back to learning CW, thanks.
We got hit with ice storm in Michigan. Been without power 5 days. Your videos have helped me through it. Thanks! KE8PAG
Trees types (along with types of branches) soon becomes a /M Op area of expertise… learned the “hard way”, of course 😂
So true!
If I have to wear gloves to operate, it's back to the shack I go. Hi Hi
Neat video ......de KU3X
Ha ha!
So when I took my KX2 on it's maiden voyage two days ago I made a 28.5' random wire and 17' counterpoise. Attached it using a BNC binding post. And it would NOT tune up. The best the kx2 could get was 5:1. No clue why!
Get out an ohm meter and check for continuity everywhere
@@jasonbrambach6957 already did that. Everything checked out.
Gosh--I'm not sure why that would be the case. I tend to stick with a 28.5' radiator and counterpoise, but I know I've used 17' counterpoises with both a 28.5' and 31' radiator.
@@ThomasK4SWL I am testing a tufteln one so I'll probably see if that fixes the problem.
Nice! Enjoyed watching the antenna deployment. Wondering why you have your backlight on? As I recall it consumes about 20 ma and doesn''t contribute anything to the signal! 🙂
Great question. The backlight usually makes it a bit easier for the display to be readable on videos (although the angle isn't always conducive to easy viewing). That and even with the backlight on, I can usually fit in 6 full activations on one charge of the KX2 battery! :) That 20ma really has no impact on my operating. Again, great question!
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks! Through casual observations I've found that my energy budget is about 25 to 30 mAH average per contact for my typical operating, which involves 15 or 20 SSB and CW contacts, one hour of operating, and 10 watts. I believe you usually run five watts and have a higher contact rate (so less time spent in receive mode), resulting in a lower energy budget per contact. I most often use my 4.5 AH LiFePO4 battery and use 400 to 500 mAH per session. You're clearly using less energy and getting as many or more contacts. Fascinating and something that merits more study! I should challenge myself to see how low I can go in terms of average mAH/QSO and still have a successful activation!
Sounds cold with all that wind.
I cannot do a spinning toss with my Weavers throw line. I can’t let go fast enough and get a rope burn every time.
Yes, W2AEW noted this as well. You might check out the "granny shot" method. I've also used this method and it's very effective with much less chance of rope burn. There's a video in this post: qrper.com/2020/09/a-field-antennas-best-friend-the-amazing-arborist-throw-line/
I use the granny through and can get it over 50’.
How long is the counterpoise? 17 feet or something else?
It's 28.5 feet--both the radiator and counterpoise. In fact, this is identical to my 28.5' speaker wire antenna, just much smaller and lower-profile.
What case are you using for your KX2?
It the original Lowe Pro case Elecraft sold at the time (a CS60, if memory serves). Lowe Pro discontinued that pack, but Elecraft has them manufacture the bag now with Elecraft branding: elecraft.com/collections/kx2-accessories-qo/products/es60-compact-padded-carrying-case
@@ThomasK4SWL My daughter is a photographer and just gave me an "excess to her needs" Lowepro padded camera case. It's oblong shaped but a perfect fit for the KX-2 and accessories.
@@potaactivator That's brilliant, Bill! Those Lowe Pro bags are very well built. You'll have to share a photo of the pack when you've got it all kitted out. :)
I follow you closely. Living in Fl, but being a native Tarheel, and as much as I hunt POTA stations, especially NC stations, I'm surprised I haven't logged you. I'll continue to hunt you and enjoy your content. de K4CKR
I'm sure we'll log each other before long. FL is usually an easy hit from NC!