Hi Mike. Sorry if I missed anyone else mentioning this, but you don't have to create a new grid square for TQSL every time you log from a new Grid Square location (I was doing this at the beginning.) Just go to File/Display or Modify Preferences/Log Handling tab/Override Station Location with QTH details from your log. Voila! You never have to add new locations in TQSL again! It just logs it as your HAMRS log (or whatever) captures for your park location. Cheers, Steve, K3SLH.
Mike, you don't have to create extra locations in TQSL to upload the State, County, or grid for a POTA activation. Just open TQSL, click on File, then click Display or Modify Preferences. Click on Log Handling tab and select Override Station Location with QTH details from your log and click OK. In your HAMRS app, make sure you enter the correct State, County and Grid. Be sure to enter the county properly per the ADIF specification. In my case, that would be MO,GREENE (i.e., state abreviation,county name.) Then when you upload to LoTW or QRZ, the location will be correct.
I use a linked EFHW TennTennas matching unit with links for 30 and 17 meters and during a few POTA activations I have worked 40 30 20 17 15 and 10 meters on the same activation. I call my it my Frankentenna with the amount of cuts and splices in it. With the cycle coming up the 12 meter link is next.
I try to be careful and use the correct grid square when activating. There are parks/trails in NY, including ones near me that I frequently activate, that span multiple grid squares. When I'm activating them, I use the Expanded Mode in HAMRS to allow me to update the grid square to my current locations. Sometimes the default grid squares that are on the POTA website and that HAMRS uses are not the grid I'm operating from. There's been a few times I've updated all the contacts manually after too, since I know it matters to some and I want to have my logs accurate. 73, N2MAK
I create a separate LOTW QTH for each park I activate. This includes the grid square, state and county. DXLABSUITE tracks them and let's me quickly select the park QTH to upload against. Never thought I'd really use that LOTW and DXLABSUITE's my QTH feature. But along came POTA.
Re: grid squares. If you’re hunting grid squares, ask for the grid square. The grid square listed in POTA is simply for the location of the pin in the map. Parks can span several grids, especially trails. Do not submit the POTA listed grid in your logs unless it comes from the activator. 73 K9MKE
I have a 40m efhw that I added a link for 30m. However at my last activation I tried the tuner on mt FT-991 and got a good enough SWR on 30m without using the link. In fact I was able to make contacts (ft8) on 40. 30, 20, 17, 15, 12. 10, and 6m using the same EFHW and the internal tuner of the FT-991. The next morning I happened across someone who did 2n and 70cm simplex nets and was able to get 2 parks (two fer locations) with 10 bands in less than 24 hours.
Love the "Linked" antennas! Like you said, "Versatility" ... or, maybe I said that. I tried the Linked antenna in a Dipole configuration (DIY for 20m/17m/15m) earlier in my amateur radio adventures, and it was easy and worked well. I'm very interested in trying the End-Fed version you mentioned next. The Fan Dipole is another good option as well, where you'll get a lot of bang for your buck (probably not as good for portable ops though). The "fan" elements can be oriented parallel and stacked above each other from the feed-point or spread around individually around to different compass headings/directions, with respective band elements end-to-end and on parallel compass directions. For example, make or buy a 40m dipole, then just start adding elements for other bands "at will" to the original build. An antenna analyzer will be a great tool to have available when adding other band elements. Very fun goofing with antennas. Cheers Mike! 🤘🍺 Go Wings!
Maidenhead app is great for identifying your grid while in the field on a POTA. Note it and log it. It does take effort though and my TQSL is up to 79 locations saved after a couple of years activating. For QRZ, go to your logbook then Settings/Logbook Properties and change the QTH, state county and lat/long or the grid square. Note that you’ll have to change these back before you upload your next ADIF.
I've managed really well with 20m and 40m links on my K6ARK EFHW. I like it a lot, and I can basically run it as a vertical dipole on 20m with my 10m mast.
Another great mailbag Monday, Mike! The segment about rigexpert really made me think twice about the NanoVNA i just purchased and haven't yet messed around with much. Also, TU fer both POTA QSOs tonight. I was puzzled when you gave me a 56 in the late shift and realized after we signed that I had been hunting CW and had my ic-7300 dialed down to 15%... Still broke the pileup 😁. 73 DE N1CCC
I started logging both county and grid square after hearing a presentation from a ham who does both. My TQSL list of locations is getting pretty large but I’m willing to do that if it helps others. AE9R
Mike, great video. Do you have a video on designing and creating your linked EFHW? I’m really curious about how the connections are made up as it seems to me that each one needs to have a link for the next longer section as well as some way of it being the end section when used stand alone.
Think I told before my efhw has a 1 link for 30m but tuned to 9.7 mhz 1.7 T 1 in the 30m band but perfect vswr on 17m and 12m. rejoin link 40 20,15 10m. just need to experiment a bit with junk wire then make the proper on with new wire. My fT817 no tuner loves it. vk5cz ..
For hf you don't need grid square. that particular exchange is mainly used for vhf and uhf and maybe 10 meters. There is grid square finder apps and online resources. If you know what park the operator is you can easily find the grid square that they're in.
You don't "need" it, but some people like chasing them. I can see both sides of the coin though. And that's what makes this hobby so great. So many activities!
Regarding grid squares and HAMRS, when I log an activation, the grid square only populates on P2P contacts. In order to get the QSO map, I have to enter the grid squares manually. I have QRZ as the lookup provider in HAMRS. Am I doing something wrong or is it a glitch in HAMRS?
I honestly never pay attention. I could care less about grid squares on SSB. FT8 is another story though. You do need to be connected to the internet for HAMRS to search the callsign database. I think the parks are just part of HAMRS but it doesn't have a callsign database of its own. That would be a nice feature for offline logging though. Maybe one day it'll be incorporated? I also don't use QRZ as the lookup. I use the HamDB. Too cheap to pay for QRZ lol!
@@hamradiotube I don't do grid squares, but I need them for the QSO map, I'm a bit of a geography nut and like maps. I don't pay for QRZ, just use the free version. That must be why it doesn't work. I'll try switching to HamDB. Thanks!
Just FYI. If you're tracking grid squares and you are using QRZ, the grid squares need to match or no credit. I realize the question was POTA specific, but when they mentioned working all grid squares and using QRZ, well, QRZ doesn't count them if they don't match. (sure, you can make them match later) Personally, I would just print off a map and cross them off as I work them. I only track grids while working FT8 and I really don't understand why I regularly get grid square mismatches. I mean, I logged the grid square you reported, so how come when I upload, it doesn't match the grid square you logged and uploaded? It's YOUR gridsquare! Probably the same yahoos that transmit their gridtracker audio. crikey! C'mon man! amirite? Some people's kids, smh.
Hi Mike. Sorry if I missed anyone else mentioning this, but you don't have to create a new grid square for TQSL every time you log from a new Grid Square location (I was doing this at the beginning.) Just go to File/Display or Modify Preferences/Log Handling tab/Override Station Location with QTH details from your log. Voila! You never have to add new locations in TQSL again! It just logs it as your HAMRS log (or whatever) captures for your park location. Cheers, Steve, K3SLH.
Mike, you don't have to create extra locations in TQSL to upload the State, County, or grid for a POTA activation. Just open TQSL, click on File, then click Display or Modify Preferences. Click on Log Handling tab and select Override Station Location with QTH details from your log and click OK.
In your HAMRS app, make sure you enter the correct State, County and Grid. Be sure to enter the county properly per the ADIF specification. In my case, that would be MO,GREENE (i.e., state abreviation,county name.) Then when you upload to LoTW or QRZ, the location will be correct.
You're much smarter than I am concerning antenna stuff. I barely make my 9-1 UNUN work I got from PACKTENNA. Great videos Mike, keep up the good work.
I use a linked EFHW TennTennas matching unit with links for 30 and 17 meters and during a few POTA activations I have worked 40 30 20 17 15 and 10 meters on the same activation. I call my it my Frankentenna with the amount of cuts and splices in it. With the cycle coming up the 12 meter link is next.
I try to be careful and use the correct grid square when activating. There are parks/trails in NY, including ones near me that I frequently activate, that span multiple grid squares. When I'm activating them, I use the Expanded Mode in HAMRS to allow me to update the grid square to my current locations. Sometimes the default grid squares that are on the POTA website and that HAMRS uses are not the grid I'm operating from. There's been a few times I've updated all the contacts manually after too, since I know it matters to some and I want to have my logs accurate. 73, N2MAK
I create a separate LOTW QTH for each park I activate. This includes the grid square, state and county. DXLABSUITE tracks them and let's me quickly select the park QTH to upload against.
Never thought I'd really use that LOTW and DXLABSUITE's my QTH feature. But along came POTA.
Hi Mike,
Another great Mailbag Monday, but can't believe it's already up to 32. Have enjoyed every one. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
I know, its crazy! I was just thinking that myself.
Re: grid squares. If you’re hunting grid squares, ask for the grid square. The grid square listed in POTA is simply for the location of the pin in the map. Parks can span several grids, especially trails. Do not submit the POTA listed grid in your logs unless it comes from the activator.
73 K9MKE
Good advise.
I have a 40m efhw that I added a link for 30m. However at my last activation I tried the tuner on mt FT-991 and got a good enough SWR on 30m without using the link. In fact I was able to make contacts (ft8) on 40. 30, 20, 17, 15, 12. 10, and 6m using the same EFHW and the internal tuner of the FT-991. The next morning I happened across someone who did 2n and 70cm simplex nets and was able to get 2 parks (two fer locations) with 10 bands in less than 24 hours.
Love the "Linked" antennas! Like you said, "Versatility" ... or, maybe I said that. I tried the Linked antenna in a Dipole configuration (DIY for 20m/17m/15m) earlier in my amateur radio adventures, and it was easy and worked well. I'm very interested in trying the End-Fed version you mentioned next. The Fan Dipole is another good option as well, where you'll get a lot of bang for your buck (probably not as good for portable ops though). The "fan" elements can be oriented parallel and stacked above each other from the feed-point or spread around individually around to different compass headings/directions, with respective band elements end-to-end and on parallel compass directions. For example, make or buy a 40m dipole, then just start adding elements for other bands "at will" to the original build. An antenna analyzer will be a great tool to have available when adding other band elements. Very fun goofing with antennas. Cheers Mike! 🤘🍺 Go Wings!
Maidenhead app is great for identifying your grid while in the field on a POTA. Note it and log it. It does take effort though and my TQSL is up to 79 locations saved after a couple of years activating.
For QRZ, go to your logbook then Settings/Logbook Properties and change the QTH, state county and lat/long or the grid square. Note that you’ll have to change these back before you upload your next ADIF.
I've managed really well with 20m and 40m links on my K6ARK EFHW. I like it a lot, and I can basically run it as a vertical dipole on 20m with my 10m mast.
Another great mailbag Monday, Mike! The segment about rigexpert really made me think twice about the NanoVNA i just purchased and haven't yet messed around with much. Also, TU fer both POTA QSOs tonight. I was puzzled when you gave me a 56 in the late shift and realized after we signed that I had been hunting CW and had my ic-7300 dialed down to 15%... Still broke the pileup 😁. 73 DE N1CCC
Great video. May the Radiation Pattern Gods shine on you and your linked antennas.
And may your bottle of Band Spray be forever full lol!
I started logging both county and grid square after hearing a presentation from a ham who does both. My TQSL list of locations is getting pretty large but I’m willing to do that if it helps others. AE9R
Mike, great video. Do you have a video on designing and creating your linked EFHW? I’m really curious about how the connections are made up as it seems to me that each one needs to have a link for the next longer section as well as some way of it being the end section when used stand alone.
Think I told before my efhw has a 1 link for 30m but tuned to 9.7 mhz 1.7 T 1 in the 30m band but perfect vswr on 17m and 12m. rejoin link 40 20,15 10m. just need to experiment a bit with junk wire then make the proper on with new wire. My fT817 no tuner loves it. vk5cz ..
For hf you don't need grid square. that particular exchange is mainly used for vhf and uhf and maybe 10 meters. There is grid square finder apps and online resources. If you know what park the operator is you can easily find the grid square that they're in.
“Parks” can traverse entire states so you often can’t do that easily at all.
You don't "need" it, but some people like chasing them. I can see both sides of the coin though. And that's what makes this hobby so great. So many activities!
A simple auto-reconnect setting on Antscope would save us all the extra clicks.
Right?!
Great answers today.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for your help
My pleasure!
What is your main logging software? Do you like it? Would you get something else? thx.
Regarding grid squares and HAMRS, when I log an activation, the grid square only populates on P2P contacts. In order to get the QSO map, I have to enter the grid squares manually. I have QRZ as the lookup provider in HAMRS. Am I doing something wrong or is it a glitch in HAMRS?
I honestly never pay attention. I could care less about grid squares on SSB. FT8 is another story though. You do need to be connected to the internet for HAMRS to search the callsign database. I think the parks are just part of HAMRS but it doesn't have a callsign database of its own. That would be a nice feature for offline logging though. Maybe one day it'll be incorporated? I also don't use QRZ as the lookup. I use the HamDB. Too cheap to pay for QRZ lol!
@@hamradiotube I don't do grid squares, but I need them for the QSO map, I'm a bit of a geography nut and like maps. I don't pay for QRZ, just use the free version. That must be why it doesn't work. I'll try switching to HamDB. Thanks!
you might want to look @ your ft8 video Mike no comments are possible to be left on it ???
@k8mrd, Mike not going to lie, at first glance at the thumbnail I was like "Who is the blonde with Mike?"
Well, I'll have you know back when I had hair, it was me with the beautiful golden locks. And then I turned 23.
Just FYI. If you're tracking grid squares and you are using QRZ, the grid squares need to match or no credit. I realize the question was POTA specific, but when they mentioned working all grid squares and using QRZ, well, QRZ doesn't count them if they don't match. (sure, you can make them match later) Personally, I would just print off a map and cross them off as I work them.
I only track grids while working FT8 and I really don't understand why I regularly get grid square mismatches. I mean, I logged the grid square you reported, so how come when I upload, it doesn't match the grid square you logged and uploaded? It's YOUR gridsquare! Probably the same yahoos that transmit their gridtracker audio. crikey! C'mon man! amirite? Some people's kids, smh.
Linked EFHW gives You Options KE8OUO