Time-Travel: Note that I intended to publish this video and field report in November 2022. It got lost in the shuffle and craziness of fall 2022. Click here to read the full field report with links, photos, and more details on QRPer.com: qrper.com/2023/01/pairing-the-penntek-tr-45l-and-packtenna-20m-efhw-for-a-quickie-pota-activation/
Another good outing! When you first started posting videos, I was one of those that spoke out against the long one hour and beyond videos you were doing. I now fix a pot of coffee and watch as if I were right there with you and it's fun. I don't have time to watch every video but enjoy many. Yes, Farnsworth spacing to slow down for new CW ops is the way. As far as character speed it seems the current teaching method is to learn at 20 WPM from the start with added spacing instead of going from 5 - 20 WPM character speed. Learn the sounds of the characters once and close the spacing as you get better. I have talked to many that would love to make CW contacts but feel so intimidated with the 'hotshots' that won't slow down. 73!
Since RUclips allowed chapters to be embedded, I've been trying to do that to also make it easier for those who want to skip through to do that. Thank you for joining me on my activations, OM! Cheers, Thomas
I have a Pentek kit on the bench...just trying to find some time to put it together. Videos like this are inspiring me to grab some coffee and get building! Edit: Thanks for slowing down your CW for us who are learning the art.
"I'm not a real RUclipsr," ha, ha, Thomas, you have taken a common RUclips topic (field activation) and completely owned it with originality and just a plain, damn nice visit with you when you trapse into the wilds of nature. AND then.... you link all the toys and items you brought with you into your field report on on QRPer. I almost always go there and buy something, a couple of days ago it was that mechanical pencil, and yes it really is a keeper. Funny, you like to "keep it short", but your vids are the longest I have patience to watch to the end. But, as i see it, they have been great training aids as I have a pad of paper and my new mechanical pencil to try and copy call signs as they come in. Sorry for the long comment, but I think you've really mastered your style of RUclips video.
What a great radio! I received mine a couple of weeks ago and had it out last weekend. Yesterday I used to KX2 just because I knew I'd have to sit in my 4Runner. I typically run about 17-18wpm and find that if I add spacing (Farnsworth) to my response to a slower operator everything works fine. I could just reach over to the speed control and turn it down, but so far no one has had trouble copying the character speed so long as I give them enough space to recognize the character ( and then leave plenty of space between words). I received a nice email from a station I worked yesterday who thanked me for being patient with him. He's a new CW operator and fumbled and bumbled a little. I have plenty of outings where I think I'm all left feet (QLF). We are all still learning. It's good to see you out, Thomas. I hope to work you sometime. 73 de AG7TX
Good on you. I try to do the same: I slow down the spacing between characters. I used to change the speed on my radio, but I found that it had such a negative impact on my timing (and, thus, sending) that I stopped doing that. I actually feel like many appreciate the Farnsworth approach anyway. Plus, patience with new ops always pays off. If I could only go back and than the many ops who were kind to me. :). Thanks for your comment!
@@ThomasK4SWL Your experience is similar to mine -- slowing the keyer speed requires a bit of mental effort to preserve my keying. So I add Farnsworth spacing... and try quite hard to add a lot more space between words. As an interesting point, some people do really well with relatively fast code so long as there is enough space between words that they can back copy. I back copy callsigns a lot! There will be a character that stumps me momentarily, but then it clicks and I still have the remainder of the callsign to complete the copy. Isn't that fascinating!
@@nvrumi I'll potentially be one of the slow newbies on the air hopefully by summer (if cw training goes well), and I'm REALLY encouraged to hear you guys acknowledge the importance of being patient with new operators. I think it will be one of the most critical reasons the hobby may thrive going forward. All experienced operators have to be welcoming to new practitioners. It would be great if there were a frequency where Elmers would contact with newbies during a predetermined day/hour. 👍
@@Carterofmars It was not long ago that I was just learning Morse Code. I remember my first contact with my instructor over the air. It was quite shaky, but we made the exchange. There are a lot of CW operators who will slow down or insert a lot of space. And, if they don't, then just spin the dial. :) 73 de AG7TX
Fun and informative to listen to you on home tv where I cant leave comments. Still headed to my first QSO trying to get to 15wpm, but your chat style keeps my interest and hopes up. 73, Larry,KK6RQG
Mid morning breakfast with eggs, toast, jam, and Thomas the ham. Always enjoy these activation videos, no matter when they come out! Many thanks for what you do out there.
You've inspired me to get into POTA and I've done some hunting but now would like to get into activating parks and perhaps even getting new parks activated. Could you please go into the details of logging, spotting, uploading your logs, etc., etc., etc.? It's been fun watching you operate but I feel that I want more. Perhaps you could do a video of all the behind the scenes stuff. Thanks and 73.
You know, I couldn't find it either. They may have simply replaced it with one of their other single lever designs. This was sent to me by a subscriber over a year ago.
So John (WA3RNC) packed the prototype TR-45L in it when he shipped it to me. It's branded with Foxpro, so I think this is a bag he sells via his other company which makes electric hunting calls.
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks. I checked the Foxpro site, looks like he doesn't sell the packs by themselves, so it must be an included accessory of one of his larger products. I suppose I could find a hiking camera bag that would work well. I've been considering adding a second set of metal handles (like the ones on the front), to protect the switches/knobs of the tuner and antenna jacks.
Thomas - I just thought of something, and you might want to experiment with this. Toward the end of the video, you said around 31:10 that you would enter those manually. Have you ever thought about using your iPhone and lifting the text from a photo of your log and then just copying/pasting this into your logging software?
I have actually tried that in the past. Problem is, there's a double check I need to do on the call signs and times and then get them into a format that POTA allows for uploads. It ends up being easier to simply enter them manually via the POTA website, since I rarely have over 30 or so contact. It's a good thought, though. Someday, AI might be able to make an ADI from it!
Thomas- Can I learn just using a paddle and practicing sending messages? In other words, will I eventually learn to identify characters being sent to me by just training to send?
Great question, Jerry. I think most CW operators would tell you that 90% of learning CW is practicing your listening skills. For most (certainly for me) sending is much, much easier. I typically suggest spending the majority of your CW practice time listening. While it should still be practiced, the sending will come along pretty naturally as a bi-product of learning CW. I would suggest learning in a group setting like the Long Island CW Club, or doing CW Academy, CW Ops, etc. Listening is the key to learning CW. Cheers, Thomas
Time-Travel: Note that I intended to publish this video and field report in November 2022. It got lost in the shuffle and craziness of fall 2022. Click here to read the full field report with links, photos, and more details on QRPer.com: qrper.com/2023/01/pairing-the-penntek-tr-45l-and-packtenna-20m-efhw-for-a-quickie-pota-activation/
Another good outing! When you first started posting videos, I was one of those that spoke out against the long one hour and beyond videos you were doing. I now fix a pot of coffee and watch as if I were right there with you and it's fun. I don't have time to watch every video but enjoy many. Yes, Farnsworth spacing to slow down for new CW ops is the way. As far as character speed it seems the current teaching method is to learn at 20 WPM from the start with added spacing instead of going from 5 - 20 WPM character speed. Learn the sounds of the characters once and close the spacing as you get better. I have talked to many that would love to make CW contacts but feel so intimidated with the 'hotshots' that won't slow down. 73!
Since RUclips allowed chapters to be embedded, I've been trying to do that to also make it easier for those who want to skip through to do that.
Thank you for joining me on my activations, OM!
Cheers, Thomas
Thanks for slowing it down Thomas much appreciated. Just passed the time on the treadmill pretty quickly
73. KN4RSZ
Time for coffee and Tom! Glad to see another TR-45 video from you.
I have a Pentek kit on the bench...just trying to find some time to put it together. Videos like this are inspiring me to grab some coffee and get building! Edit: Thanks for slowing down your CW for us who are learning the art.
When I remember, I'm going to do more slowing down. (Part of the time, it's just trying to remember to do it!)
Really love these videos
"I'm not a real RUclipsr," ha, ha, Thomas, you have taken a common RUclips topic (field activation) and completely owned it with originality and just a plain, damn nice visit with you when you trapse into the wilds of nature. AND then.... you link all the toys and items you brought with you into your field report on on QRPer. I almost always go there and buy something, a couple of days ago it was that mechanical pencil, and yes it really is a keeper. Funny, you like to "keep it short", but your vids are the longest I have patience to watch to the end. But, as i see it, they have been great training aids as I have a pad of paper and my new mechanical pencil to try and copy call signs as they come in. Sorry for the long comment, but I think you've really mastered your style of RUclips video.
This made my day, Max. Thank you.
The analog meter on that rig gave me whiplash when you were sending.
It is reactive!
What a great radio! I received mine a couple of weeks ago and had it out last weekend. Yesterday I used to KX2 just because I knew I'd have to sit in my 4Runner.
I typically run about 17-18wpm and find that if I add spacing (Farnsworth) to my response to a slower operator everything works fine. I could just reach over to the speed control and turn it down, but so far no one has had trouble copying the character speed so long as I give them enough space to recognize the character ( and then leave plenty of space between words).
I received a nice email from a station I worked yesterday who thanked me for being patient with him. He's a new CW operator and fumbled and bumbled a little. I have plenty of outings where I think I'm all left feet (QLF). We are all still learning.
It's good to see you out, Thomas. I hope to work you sometime.
73 de AG7TX
Good on you. I try to do the same: I slow down the spacing between characters. I used to change the speed on my radio, but I found that it had such a negative impact on my timing (and, thus, sending) that I stopped doing that. I actually feel like many appreciate the Farnsworth approach anyway. Plus, patience with new ops always pays off. If I could only go back and than the many ops who were kind to me. :). Thanks for your comment!
@@ThomasK4SWL Your experience is similar to mine -- slowing the keyer speed requires a bit of mental effort to preserve my keying. So I add Farnsworth spacing... and try quite hard to add a lot more space between words.
As an interesting point, some people do really well with relatively fast code so long as there is enough space between words that they can back copy.
I back copy callsigns a lot! There will be a character that stumps me momentarily, but then it clicks and I still have the remainder of the callsign to complete the copy.
Isn't that fascinating!
@@nvrumi I'll potentially be one of the slow newbies on the air hopefully by summer (if cw training goes well), and I'm REALLY encouraged to hear you guys acknowledge the importance of being patient with new operators. I think it will be one of the most critical reasons the hobby may thrive going forward. All experienced operators have to be welcoming to new practitioners.
It would be great if there were a frequency where Elmers would contact with newbies during a predetermined day/hour. 👍
@@Carterofmars It was not long ago that I was just learning Morse Code. I remember my first contact with my instructor over the air. It was quite shaky, but we made the exchange.
There are a lot of CW operators who will slow down or insert a lot of space. And, if they don't, then just spin the dial. :)
73 de AG7TX
Fun and informative to listen to you on home tv where I cant leave comments. Still headed to my first QSO trying to get to 15wpm, but your chat style keeps my interest and hopes up.
73, Larry,KK6RQG
Thank you, Larry!
Nice radio and video Thomas, thanks! Cheers es 72, Dave - KU9L
When you make something that is timeless, when you post it is of no concern...thanks for a great job!!! lmc
Thank you!
Mid morning breakfast with eggs, toast, jam, and Thomas the ham. Always enjoy these activation videos, no matter when they come out! Many thanks for what you do out there.
Thank you so much!
You've inspired me to get into POTA and I've done some hunting but now would like to get into activating parks and perhaps even getting new parks activated.
Could you please go into the details of logging, spotting, uploading your logs, etc., etc., etc.?
It's been fun watching you operate but I feel that I want more. Perhaps you could do a video of all the behind the scenes stuff.
Thanks and 73.
Hi, Tom! Check out this video I made last year: ruclips.net/video/YuNmmssXv3s/видео.html
👍
Hey Thomas, always enjoy your videos. Thanks for sharing another one. I am trying to copy the CW as you are activating. Safe Travels 73 Reed/AB8AS
Is that key being sold by CWmorse? I don't see it on their website.
You know, I couldn't find it either. They may have simply replaced it with one of their other single lever designs. This was sent to me by a subscriber over a year ago.
You're beating that paddle like it owes you money.
🤣 It DOES owe me money!
@@ThomasK4SWL 🤣
What is the pack/case that you carry the Penntek in?
So John (WA3RNC) packed the prototype TR-45L in it when he shipped it to me. It's branded with Foxpro, so I think this is a bag he sells via his other company which makes electric hunting calls.
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks. I checked the Foxpro site, looks like he doesn't sell the packs by themselves, so it must be an included accessory of one of his larger products. I suppose I could find a hiking camera bag that would work well. I've been considering adding a second set of metal handles (like the ones on the front), to protect the switches/knobs of the tuner and antenna jacks.
Thomas - I just thought of something, and you might want to experiment with this. Toward the end of the video, you said around 31:10 that you would enter those manually. Have you ever thought about using your iPhone and lifting the text from a photo of your log and then just copying/pasting this into your logging software?
I have actually tried that in the past. Problem is, there's a double check I need to do on the call signs and times and then get them into a format that POTA allows for uploads. It ends up being easier to simply enter them manually via the POTA website, since I rarely have over 30 or so contact. It's a good thought, though. Someday, AI might be able to make an ADI from it!
@@ThomasK4SWL That AI exists, just not for that!
Why do some hams send en instead of r. 😊😊you’re not doing it.
Great question. I guess just a style thing?
Thomas- Can I learn just using a paddle and practicing sending messages? In other words, will I eventually learn to identify characters being sent to me by just training to send?
Great question, Jerry.
I think most CW operators would tell you that 90% of learning CW is practicing your listening skills. For most (certainly for me) sending is much, much easier.
I typically suggest spending the majority of your CW practice time listening. While it should still be practiced, the sending will come along pretty naturally as a bi-product of learning CW.
I would suggest learning in a group setting like the Long Island CW Club, or doing CW Academy, CW Ops, etc.
Listening is the key to learning CW.
Cheers, Thomas
@@ThomasK4SWL Thanks Thomas- 👍👍👍