Glad to get in the log (last one) from 90 miles south, Covington County. A big AMEN brother on the shiny radio-itis😂 My mantra is "Do what you know works"
Aaron I built up to 25-ish CW POTA activations today, thanks to copying your gear. I drag that Chelegence MC-750 all over, and put it in my front yard. 73 Paul KE9BHN
Paul, I heard you today on 20m. I called and called, but wasn’t able to break through the other calling stations. It was good to hear you working all of those stations! Vy 73 de David AE4LH
@@o2bnov0307 David, that means you didn't have to repeat your call sign 15+ times, and you heard what I mean. I'm honored the hunters take the time out to help me, I know it is not easy on their part. TU 73 Paul KE9BHN
Very nice on the activations! I'll have to keep an eye out for your spot. Glad to hear the MC-750 is working good for you, it's a great & versatile antenna. 73!
@@w4arb Aaron, I discovered CW POTA because of Forrest, you, Ham Radio Duo, etc. Imagine this week when I QSO with you all. Aaron, I actually did copy your rig when it came to choosing gear. TU TU 73 KE9BHN
I wish I could get up early to activate. I'm just not a morning person. But these days nights are tough too since it's dark after work. That always looks like a nice way to start the day.
Funny thing is I’m not naturally a morning person either. I became one to activate because with my schedule, it’s the only practical time to do it. It’s tough at first but it’s great starting the day with something that has no purpose other than enjoyment.
@@w4arb I've got a wildlife management area near my house that may just be a patch of grass. I need to check it out and see what the access and tree options are like. That mag loop is intriguing. They seem like hamsticks that shouldn't work, except that they do.
It's probably similar in performance to a hamstick too. The benefit is it's lightweight, freestanding with just a small camera tripod, no radials, and tunes 40-10 with the turn of a knob. I enjoy using magloops but it seems like folks that have tried them either love them or hate them. I also use a 17' whip mounted on my truck often, that's a great performer with minimal setup time too.
@@w4arb I've been looking for something for the winter. Last winter I used dipoles and EFHWs portable, but they could be very difficult to setup with wires snagging in thick trees. Something on a tabletop would be much easier. I might try my hand at building one. I have used a vertical in the same location, but even that has its mounting challenges. It's a nice place because there's a table under shelter (out of the snow), but antennas are tough.
A magloop is worth a try! Certainly easy to deploy and relatively easy to build if you decide to go that route. I’m not much of a builder myself, I just enjoy the operating hah.
Is it very difficult to tune the Alex Loop if you are new to the antenna? You have a lot of experience and make it look easy and I am wondering how difficult it was to tune when you first got it? Thanks for the great videos. 73
The "Ham Pack" model is very easy to tune, even if you're new to using it. The reduction gearing and tuning dial make it easy. The older model, the "walk ham" was a little more difficult and touchy, but still simple with a little practice.
Missed you again Aaron, looked for you, and went out to do a chore and came back just as you finished and were gone! But at least I got to see what I missed haha thanks for sharing and we'll CUDTL OM! de Ellis WA1RKS
CW is the coolest part of amateur radio. I got myself a cw trainer coming finally, so i can get practicing.
73, kq4hcu
Agreed! And very cool! It’s a fun journey to learn it
Learned a lot watching you set up the Alex Loop. Previously I had wondered how complicated it would be. Very smooth as you did it.
It’s quite easy. I’ve heard that some other mag loops can be finicky to set up and tune but Alex did a great job with the details.
@@w4arb That's been my concern, so it's good to know more about the Alex loop and see Aaron set it up.
Look at this beautiful specimen of the TRUE MAN
😂😂 QBL Steven
Thanks for another video Aaron!
Thanks Ed! Hope you're doing well
Always amazing Aaron! i use your videos to learn and listen CW...tnx my friend! 73 de IU1PZC
Thank you sir!! Always great to hear from you. 73
Glad to get in the log (last one) from 90 miles south, Covington County. A big AMEN brother on the shiny radio-itis😂 My mantra is "Do what you know works"
Great to hear you & thanks for the contact! I know I've been guilty of "shiny radio-itis", but trying to "recover". We'll see how that goes LOL
Glad to see some signals getting through as usual despite all the weird solar conditions lately. Dave - KU9L
The conditions have been all over the place, but still got some contacts in the log. 73 my friend!
Aaron I built up to 25-ish CW POTA activations today, thanks to copying your gear. I drag that Chelegence MC-750 all over, and put it in my front yard. 73 Paul KE9BHN
Paul, I heard you today on 20m. I called and called, but wasn’t able to break through the other calling stations. It was good to hear you working all of those stations! Vy 73 de David AE4LH
@@o2bnov0307 David, that means you didn't have to repeat your call sign 15+ times, and you heard what I mean. I'm honored the hunters take the time out to help me, I know it is not easy on their part. TU 73 Paul KE9BHN
Very nice on the activations! I'll have to keep an eye out for your spot. Glad to hear the MC-750 is working good for you, it's a great & versatile antenna. 73!
Great to get in your log today! You were doing great handling that pileup. 73
@@w4arb Aaron, I discovered CW POTA because of Forrest, you, Ham Radio Duo, etc. Imagine this week when I QSO with you all. Aaron, I actually did copy your rig when it came to choosing gear. TU TU 73 KE9BHN
I wish I could get up early to activate. I'm just not a morning person. But these days nights are tough too since it's dark after work. That always looks like a nice way to start the day.
Funny thing is I’m not naturally a morning person either. I became one to activate because with my schedule, it’s the only practical time to do it. It’s tough at first but it’s great starting the day with something that has no purpose other than enjoyment.
@@w4arb I've got a wildlife management area near my house that may just be a patch of grass. I need to check it out and see what the access and tree options are like. That mag loop is intriguing. They seem like hamsticks that shouldn't work, except that they do.
It's probably similar in performance to a hamstick too. The benefit is it's lightweight, freestanding with just a small camera tripod, no radials, and tunes 40-10 with the turn of a knob. I enjoy using magloops but it seems like folks that have tried them either love them or hate them. I also use a 17' whip mounted on my truck often, that's a great performer with minimal setup time too.
@@w4arb I've been looking for something for the winter. Last winter I used dipoles and EFHWs portable, but they could be very difficult to setup with wires snagging in thick trees. Something on a tabletop would be much easier. I might try my hand at building one.
I have used a vertical in the same location, but even that has its mounting challenges. It's a nice place because there's a table under shelter (out of the snow), but antennas are tough.
A magloop is worth a try! Certainly easy to deploy and relatively easy to build if you decide to go that route. I’m not much of a builder myself, I just enjoy the operating hah.
Is it very difficult to tune the Alex Loop if you are new to the antenna? You have a lot of experience and make it look easy and I am wondering how difficult it was to tune when you first got it? Thanks for the great videos. 73
The "Ham Pack" model is very easy to tune, even if you're new to using it. The reduction gearing and tuning dial make it easy. The older model, the "walk ham" was a little more difficult and touchy, but still simple with a little practice.
thanks Aaron - i was sure i heard ARB this mornin - oncew then u was gone lol -- next time 73
Ah man that would have been awesome! I wish I had longer and could have gone up to 30/20m - bet we could have made it happen.
Out of curiosity, have ya ever had someone actually respond to QRL? Did it end up in a QSO? :)
I have had someone come back to it a few times letting me know the frequency is in use. But they haven’t resulted in a contact unfortunately 😅
@@GordLamb This past weekend I had someone respond to my QRL. I moved to a clear frequency.
Your paddles are reversed? I think you might have mentioned this before.
They are indeed. I prefer the way reversed paddle keying feels.
I heard you, but barely! Darn I will catch you again! DE NN2X / Tom
I wrote down your call and heard you well but the QSB kept knocking me down. Catch you next time!
It was to nice to hear my own sig NN2X on ur IC 705, Very nice RX on that IC 705! Super Job, Aaron
When will you be out again? I’d love to get you in the log.
I’ll be out again Wednesday morning, around 6:30 AM or so. I have been activating nearly every other morning recently. I look forward to hearing you!
@@w4arb That is 0330 at my house. I’ll give it a listen is I’m awake. 73, W7LDT
I’m in central time, sorry should have said that! On weekends I stay out a bit later. Might even activate from North Carolina this weekend.
Missed you again Aaron, looked for you, and went out to do a chore and came back just as you finished and were gone! But at least I got to see what I missed haha thanks for sharing and we'll CUDTL OM! de Ellis WA1RKS
Sorry about that! This was a really quick activation. I hope to catch you next time. 73