My first POTA activation was in Yellowstone using a random wire. Didn’t know about common mode feedback…it was rough. Built a choke when I got home. I learned and I am gonna do it again.
that was great ! so many ways to make a POTA bag. What I all ways take is bottles of water. A must when working radio a lot. also some snacks helps as well. bring what you need for you to stay healthy and have POTA fun. The most important part of POTA is your self. start with that and add to it. works great for me. 73's
Good advice Mike, Always set your kit up and chase POTA/SOTA close to home before you take it out portable then you will know it will be good to go Activate.
I practiced by watching you guys do it. I think I've done 5 POTA activations, and only failed 1-2. Thanks! It helped to watch you guys, but nothing could prepare me for the pileup.
"Hotel Kilo". Same thing on CW - I heard a K4OOD - it was IK4ODD. Note - the second time he called during another activation, I picked it up right away because of the echo. It comes with experience.
Holla Mike! For IC-705 id suggest the Lowepro CS80 hardsided headphone case. The thing holds a 3ah BioEnno, packtenna 4010, bits and bobs all in one. also hard sided so it protects nicely. also has a mesh pocket for the license and log books.
I have an Apache case from Harbor Freight that I keep my 706mkIIg, a small manual tuner (1:1 SWR FTW), a 40m EFHW, cables, mic, paracord, etc. in for POTA. All I have to do is grab the box, a battery, maybe a mast, and go play POTA.
Thanks for the info. Been trying to prepare for the perfect POTA but just need to pull the trigger. BTW I like the Sol-Tac light on the explorer bag. Glad I picked one up at Hamcation before they sold out. This sounds really dumb but I did not know DX Commander made a POTA type antenna. Always learning something new! Thanks, Mike!
Very well done Mike. Just like there's no one right way to do ham radio, there's no one size fits all for POTA equipment. You showed two great examples to help newcomers visualize their own solution. 73, Mark N4BCD
Good vid, I'm not into pota but having a go bag is nice to have. hen I was traveling to Fla every Nov. for a month, I would have my bag. I stayed at the same hotel on the water in Fort Myers next to Cleveland Ave Bridge, so I always had the 6th floor with a balcony-type area. Great to my Moto antenna.
I'm trying to get my kit together. I picked up an ic705, Xtenna efhw, and a Sotabeams Carbon 6. Turns out the parks near me don't have too many tall trees or areas where it's easy to drive stakes in the ground. So, I ordered a MC-750 for the times where I can't use a mast.
Look at a Tiki Torch stake. You can get them from the box home improvement stores. I've used them in the past to support my mast. Put a bunch of electrical tape or something around the mast to protect it though.
Great video Mike. If you're anything like me, you need the louder speaker due to standing in front of the speakers while practicing your guitar or at numerous rock 🪨 concerts. 😂
I would like to see more (at least short) QSOs on POTA. So far it’s wham bam thank you mam with most of the folks I hear in the POTA experience. I like at least a short Hi Howareya and list of equipment shared. That has kept me from getting involved as it seems so much like a contest. Dave K8WPE
Hi Mike. Another good video. I work motorcycle pota and have had a ton of fun getting everything down to a bare minimum of size. Had a question for you though, you and a lot of the other ham channels have had a lot of videos using hamrs, I’ve been using it for a long time too but the question is, do you have any access to the developer? Hamrs is pretty much sitting in limbo and has not had any fixes or updates in a long time (I’m hearing 2.5 years but don’t know that to be factual) POTA is about to rip through and change all the park designations and if hamrs does not get updated that will pretty much shaft everyone who is using it. Any way you can get in touch with the dev and post a video on updates for hamrs? I realize this is work for you but it would be tremendously useful for the ham community.
I do, and I'm sure he's aware of the situation, but I'm also not going to bother him about it. I know others have already been bugging him. I don't want to be that guy. Hopefully something happens though.
Great ideas here! I’ve been thinking about redoing my packing strategy and you gave me a lot of food for thought. Now I’m going to lose sleep running all of this through my old head…. Thanks Mike! 73 de K2CJB
That is the Gigaparts Explorer Bag you can get here www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page#?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page&Stockstatusfilter=Currently+in+stock%21&search_return=all&res_per_page=60
It is the Gigaparts Explorer Bag. www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page#?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page&Stockstatusfilter=Currently+in+stock%21&search_return=all&res_per_page=60
One of the things that I have NEVER read about POTA is how to get park permission. I.E. a legal permit from some goverment entity that says that you are allow to set up your equipment and operate in that park for a set period of time. Typically I see people say: "Just set up and no on will bother you and if they do just take the station down and move on" Trust me that will not work for me. I will not go into details. But I have been SITTING in a park with no equipment, just chilling out and enjoying the day and some police officer will come up and ask me for ID and question me as to why I am there. This situation has happened so many times in my life that I have just come to expect it to happen.
Mama always said you need to make go kits. They's about a million ways you can make 'em. Love them all!
My first POTA activation was in Yellowstone using a random wire. Didn’t know about common mode feedback…it was rough. Built a choke when I got home. I learned and I am gonna do it again.
that was great ! so many ways to make a POTA bag. What I all ways take is bottles of water. A must when working radio a lot. also some snacks helps as well. bring what you need for you to stay healthy and have POTA fun. The most important part of POTA is your self. start with that and add to it. works great for me. 73's
I don't go anywhere without my water. Snacks I don't care about, but you will rarely see me without a bottle of water.
Good advice Mike, Always set your kit up and chase POTA/SOTA close to home before you take it out portable then you will know it will be good to go Activate.
I practiced by watching you guys do it. I think I've done 5 POTA activations, and only failed 1-2. Thanks! It helped to watch you guys, but nothing could prepare me for the pileup.
The speaker box is way to cool and I need build on. Love the aux in Jack.
You passed the CAT scan. Thanks for the kit tour.
Great video and solid advice as always
Great video as usual Mike. Thanks for the shout out! 73.
You bet!
I finally bought one of those "craptops" and it is my favorite computer! lol I might have to pick up one of those bags.
"Hotel Kilo". Same thing on CW - I heard a K4OOD - it was IK4ODD. Note - the second time he called during another activation, I picked it up right away because of the echo. It comes with experience.
Great kit Mike. See you out there one day. 🤝
Holla Mike! For IC-705 id suggest the Lowepro CS80 hardsided headphone case. The thing holds a 3ah BioEnno, packtenna 4010, bits and bobs all in one. also hard sided so it protects nicely. also has a mesh pocket for the license and log books.
I have an Apache case from Harbor Freight that I keep my 706mkIIg, a small manual tuner (1:1 SWR FTW), a 40m EFHW, cables, mic, paracord, etc. in for POTA. All I have to do is grab the box, a battery, maybe a mast, and go play POTA.
Thanks for the info. Been trying to prepare for the perfect POTA but just need to pull the trigger. BTW I like the Sol-Tac light on the explorer bag. Glad I picked one up at Hamcation before they sold out. This sounds really dumb but I did not know DX Commander made a POTA type antenna. Always learning something new! Thanks, Mike!
It's called the DX Commander Expedition. I've made many videos with it. Building the newest one now.
Very well done Mike. Just like there's no one right way to do ham radio, there's no one size fits all for POTA equipment. You showed two great examples to help newcomers visualize their own solution. 73, Mark N4BCD
Good vid, I'm not into pota but having a go bag is nice to have. hen I was traveling to Fla every Nov. for a month, I would have my bag. I stayed at the same hotel on the water in Fort Myers next to Cleveland Ave Bridge, so I always had the 6th floor with a balcony-type area. Great to my Moto antenna.
Great video as always Mike. Loved the bag tour.
I'm trying to get my kit together. I picked up an ic705, Xtenna efhw, and a Sotabeams Carbon 6. Turns out the parks near me don't have too many tall trees or areas where it's easy to drive stakes in the ground. So, I ordered a MC-750 for the times where I can't use a mast.
Look at a Tiki Torch stake. You can get them from the box home improvement stores. I've used them in the past to support my mast. Put a bunch of electrical tape or something around the mast to protect it though.
Great video Mike. If you're anything like me, you need the louder speaker due to standing in front of the speakers while practicing your guitar or at numerous rock 🪨 concerts. 😂
That might have something to do with it lol!
Dude, you're awesome! Thanks so much for all you do.
My pleasure!
I would like to see more (at least short) QSOs on POTA. So far it’s wham bam thank you mam with most of the folks I hear in the POTA experience. I like at least a short Hi Howareya and list of equipment shared. That has kept me from getting involved as it seems so much like a contest. Dave K8WPE
Great video!
The Explorer Bag looks good with the 7300. You've got me thinking now...
Hi Mike. Another good video. I work motorcycle pota and have had a ton of fun getting everything down to a bare minimum of size.
Had a question for you though, you and a lot of the other ham channels have had a lot of videos using hamrs, I’ve been using it for a long time too but the question is, do you have any access to the developer? Hamrs is pretty much sitting in limbo and has not had any fixes or updates in a long time (I’m hearing 2.5 years but don’t know that to be factual)
POTA is about to rip through and change all the park designations and if hamrs does not get updated that will pretty much shaft everyone who is using it. Any way you can get in touch with the dev and post a video on updates for hamrs? I realize this is work for you but it would be tremendously useful for the ham community.
I do, and I'm sure he's aware of the situation, but I'm also not going to bother him about it. I know others have already been bugging him. I don't want to be that guy. Hopefully something happens though.
Great ideas here! I’ve been thinking about redoing my packing strategy and you gave me a lot of food for thought. Now I’m going to lose sleep running all of this through my old head…. Thanks Mike! 73 de K2CJB
Thanks for the great info!
You bet!
Had to jump back and see if you had just coined a new phrase - 'Wham bam thank you ham'. Nope, but feel free to use if you want.😊
Oh man I was so close!!!
Great information Mike...73s
Thanks 👍
Where can one get a Packtenna antenna?
Everybody KNOWS that in order to do POTA properly ...
YOU NEED TO BRING EVERYTHING, including THE KITCHEN SINK!
😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂🙂🙃
Hi Mike, when will the Icom ID-50 video be released? Do you have an estimated date?
Wednesday. I plan on making a few more though.
It’s been released-got mine from DXengineering…
Bice backpack. Which one is it?
That is the Gigaparts Explorer Bag you can get here www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page#?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page&Stockstatusfilter=Currently+in+stock%21&search_return=all&res_per_page=60
Always be adapting would be ABA.
what brand bag is that go bag ?
It is the Gigaparts Explorer Bag. www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page#?lp=Mike+K8MRD+Page&Stockstatusfilter=Currently+in+stock%21&search_return=all&res_per_page=60
First aid kit you mean electrical & duct tape?
Hi Mike, always great videos! What is your preferred DX Commander and PackTenna vertical? Thanks! 73 KO6CVA
DX Commander Expedition and Packtenna EFHW.
One of the things that I have NEVER read about POTA is how to get park permission. I.E. a legal permit from some goverment entity that says that you are allow to set up your equipment and operate in that park for a set period of time.
Typically I see people say: "Just set up and no on will bother you and if they do just take the station down and move on" Trust me that will not work for me. I will not go into details. But I have been SITTING in a park with no equipment, just chilling out and enjoying the day and some police officer will come up and ask me for ID and question me as to why I am there. This situation has happened so many times in my life that I have just come to expect it to happen.
Where does the peanut butter and jelly sandwich go? That's a really cool bag.
In my tummy!!
I wish the Gigabag came in OD.
And now you know... ... ... the rest of the story.
Good day!
KK7SWB- Hey Mike- what is your $60 craptop? i dont want to go spend 4-500 or more on a new laptop bc i do need one
My car trunk is my kit. I carry way too much crap with me to the park, just ask Steve.
Meow. (Hi Satan.)
Satan gives an evil look your way 🤣
Deceiving title. Any radio and gear is packable and portable. K6ark took his ic7300 to a summit ffs.
Deceiving title because I got a question about this topic, and then showed some examples? You sir, are going in the next sad hams video.
Hey mike, where did u get that M6ARA meter ?
From N6ARA. n6ara.com
THANKS@@hamradiotube