For activating from a car, I use a pool noodle for the car window. Cut a slit lengthwise to press onto the window and a cross slit for the coax so it's not crushed.
I use the TennTenna transformer for my EFHW antenna as well. It was highly recommended by my Elmer. My girlfriend bought it for me as my Christmas gift and it was put in the air at the beginning of February when we had a break in the winter weather here in Michigan. It has been a great antenna and has allowed me to make some great contacts in the month and a half it has been up. I like it so much I am thinking about getting another one to install at a friend's family cabin in northern Michigan I go to for deer camp activities.
I won't go out & do POTA in the rain. I don't mind the cold, as I started in the cold, I just don' like getting wet when I don't need to. Due to the milder winters that we've had in the Mid-Atlantic recently, I wasn't in my car too often during the winter months. This year I've only benign the car a few times, especially when it was really windy & very very cold. 73!
H-O-L-Y crap! UR antenna setup at your place is crazy. Go big or go home. I fricking love it. Being a good neighbor goes a long way. Thanks for showing your antennas. 73
In New England, if I didn't activate in uncomfortable weather, I'd only be out a couple months a year. I'll activate in the cold, but not in the rain or snow, only because I don't want the gear getting compromised. Like you, I position my truck facing the sun and operate from the front seat if it's too bad out.
8:00 I'm not gonna be uncomfortable in the winter at least. To that end I'll just set up the WRC, run the cable through the window, and crank the heat if needed. Gotten quick enough at setup/takedown it doesn't take too long now. Summer heat may suck but sitting around in the shade I can deal with sweating. Frigid fingers however do not effectively work a key
Had my dipole between a tree in my yard going to a walnut tree in the neighbors. That way for several years then the neighbor decided he was tired of having to pick up walnuts before he mowed each fall. Well he decided to cut the tree, so there went my only way to have my dipole up. Now having to use a EFHW sloping.
When using hamrs, does it automatically log your times as utc?worked my first park last week n used pen n paper then had to type it all into pota website.cheers
HAMRS is/was nice. With the popularity of POTA growing there’s got to be a programmer out there to duplicate functionality or even improve on it. I’m not a programmer but it can’t be that difficult. I could be way wrong.
"parachord degrades after years" haha alright, so I live in Brisbane Australia, my parachord was dust after 7months, the sun down under is brutal! it strips cars off their paint and plastics, so parachord doesn't stand a chance. I've tried tho, I'm happy I replaced it before my antenna got stuck in that one tree I have lol
oh noice, the holes in the house! I'm renting so my shack is outside, in the heat or cold, amongst spiders, snakes and mosquitoes... gotta love queensland! haha
I gave Hamrs try some years ago just to find out it deleted all my QSO´s i made. Luckily i used my IC-705 as a trx so i could extract the QSO´s out of the voice protokol from the 705. Since that time i am using paper and pencil and never lost a log again.
Some Years ago???? It was in iOS BETA testing March of 2021. 🤨 If you had a bad experience 3 years ago during BETA that’s expected. If it was last year your statement has some credibility issues.
I've installed the latest version 1.0.6 for Windows and don't see the POTA spot tab in the lower window next to the QSO tab. Did I missed something on the install? Thanks
Oh yeah I've had some trees start growing over my paracord. Fortunately I caught it before it grew over, but there was a ring where it was on the tree.
I am not very impressed with HAMRS. One reason is there is no communication with the rig (Frequency and mode information). A contest logging program such as N1MM or WriteLog will let you monitor your rig status, the packet cluster, and do dupe checking and more. That said, use what you like and keep having fun. 73. I too am from MI but still live in a cold state.
Just noticed in the first part of your video Mike, your neighbors VHF vertical antenna mast looks a bit crooked. Is it because you have too much stress where you have your transformer hooked up or was it always like that. just an observation. Thanks for the video.
I use hamrs I live in Deep South Texas. Now I have a question for you, I don't know what part of Texas you are in, but you know we have wind!! I was out with my WRC 17-foot whip antenna, and it got blew down by the wind (20MPH) gust of wind. Do you put sans bags on your tripod to keep this from happening? Rember the soil down here is hard clay. WQ9V
I live in Huntsville, TX. I haven't used sand bags but that would work. I've put some stakes over the legs of the WRC to keep it from falling on windy days. Worked pretty good. Sand bags prob would work better, but they're also a lot heavier.
I really don't understand this tendency for hams to continue to support software that itself isn't developed or supported. HAMRS isn't actively developed. The email address goes unanswered and the forums are dead. The Android app eats logs for breakfast if you have a look at the ratings and feedback. Nevertheless, hams are making videos about how great it is. Let's support software that's supported by it's developers.
I hear ya. I guess were all holding out hope it gets a solid update soon. I’m willing to bet if it isn’t supported in short order it’ll fade into obscurity. As it should. Although I really do like Hamrs and am hopeing for the former.
Sometimes good software is developed and the developer moves on in life. It doesn't take away from the software. I hear you, from a security perspective: this is terrible. Google Play (at one point) has a policy about software requiring updates. I haven't had any issues with hamrs for what it's worth.
Just thought I'd let you know that a new version just came out for hamrs (1.0.7) and the mobile versions should be coming out soon. As much as I would love to switch to a different logger, hamrs is the only one I am aware of that natively supports iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux. N3FJP only natively supports Mac and Windows so that's not good enough for me when I use Linux and android. (And using wine to get it working on Linux doesn't count in my book)
I am assuming you know by now that HAMRS has been updated to 1.0.7 and I can't comment on the Android app, but I do have the Apple app on the iPad and I like it a lot. I am extremely happy that it has been updated as I think it is the best portable logging program. I also use N3FJP for some of the contests and my general log. POTA on. N3EDO
Always good to be friends with your neighbors, especially when they have good trees for hanging wire antennas. 😀
Absolutely
For activating from a car, I use a pool noodle for the car window. Cut a slit lengthwise to press onto the window and a cross slit for the coax so it's not crushed.
I use the TennTenna transformer for my EFHW antenna as well. It was highly recommended by my Elmer. My girlfriend bought it for me as my Christmas gift and it was put in the air at the beginning of February when we had a break in the winter weather here in Michigan. It has been a great antenna and has allowed me to make some great contacts in the month and a half it has been up. I like it so much I am thinking about getting another one to install at a friend's family cabin in northern Michigan I go to for deer camp activities.
I won't go out & do POTA in the rain. I don't mind the cold, as I started in the cold, I just don' like getting wet when I don't need to. Due to the milder winters that we've had in the Mid-Atlantic recently, I wasn't in my car too often during the winter months. This year I've only benign the car a few times, especially when it was really windy & very very cold. 73!
I was in my car during an activation in January with blowing & drifting snow. It actually worked out.
thank you Mike! can't wait to get out there and start playin' radio 🙂
H-O-L-Y crap! UR antenna setup at your place is crazy. Go big or go home. I fricking love it. Being a good neighbor goes a long way. Thanks for showing your antennas. 73
In New England, if I didn't activate in uncomfortable weather, I'd only be out a couple months a year. I'll activate in the cold, but not in the rain or snow, only because I don't want the gear getting compromised. Like you, I position my truck facing the sun and operate from the front seat if it's too bad out.
8:00 I'm not gonna be uncomfortable in the winter at least. To that end I'll just set up the WRC, run the cable through the window, and crank the heat if needed. Gotten quick enough at setup/takedown it doesn't take too long now.
Summer heat may suck but sitting around in the shade I can deal with sweating.
Frigid fingers however do not effectively work a key
I bought an ice shanty and a heater so I could pota comfortably in the winter. I don’t like the cold either Mike.
Uncomfortable weather... no problem! Nice to catch you and KB5UTY on the air today.
Right one thanks for the contact!
Had my dipole between a tree in my yard going to a walnut tree in the neighbors. That way for several years then the neighbor decided he was tired of having to pick up walnuts before he mowed each fall. Well he decided to cut the tree, so there went my only way to have my dipole up. Now having to use a EFHW sloping.
Is doingy a technical term?
When all your neighbors are throwing antennas in trees, you have no problems. It's when all your neigbors are Karens is when life soaks cork.
When using hamrs, does it automatically log your times as utc?worked my first park last week n used pen n paper then had to type it all into pota website.cheers
HAMRS is/was nice. With the popularity of POTA growing there’s got to be a programmer out there to duplicate functionality or even improve on it. I’m not a programmer but it can’t be that difficult. I could be way wrong.
The is an update to HAMRS coming. Not sure when but I know he's working on it.
"parachord degrades after years" haha alright, so I live in Brisbane Australia, my parachord was dust after 7months, the sun down under is brutal! it strips cars off their paint and plastics, so parachord doesn't stand a chance. I've tried tho, I'm happy I replaced it before my antenna got stuck in that one tree I have lol
oh noice, the holes in the house! I'm renting so my shack is outside, in the heat or cold, amongst spiders, snakes and mosquitoes... gotta love queensland! haha
I gave Hamrs try some years ago just to find out it deleted all my QSO´s i made. Luckily i used my IC-705 as a trx so i could extract the QSO´s out of the voice protokol from the 705. Since that time i am using paper and pencil and never lost a log again.
Some Years ago???? It was in iOS BETA testing March of 2021. 🤨 If you had a bad experience 3 years ago during BETA that’s expected.
If it was last year your statement has some credibility issues.
I've installed the latest version 1.0.6 for Windows and don't see the POTA spot tab in the lower window next to the QSO tab. Did I missed something on the install? Thanks
When you create a new log select pota log.
I was wondering if I can use HAMRS for logging as a Hunter?
Be sure to exercise those halyards occasionally as they will lock in the trees. I know the hard way....a couple are never coming down.
Oh yeah I've had some trees start growing over my paracord. Fortunately I caught it before it grew over, but there was a ring where it was on the tree.
I am not very impressed with HAMRS. One reason is there is no communication with the rig (Frequency and mode information). A contest logging program such as N1MM or WriteLog will let you monitor your rig status, the packet cluster, and do dupe checking and more. That said, use what you like and keep having fun. 73. I too am from MI but still live in a cold state.
No lightning arrestors on the incoming coax?
Just noticed in the first part of your video Mike, your neighbors VHF vertical antenna mast looks a bit crooked. Is it because you have too much stress where you have your transformer hooked up or was it always like that. just an observation. Thanks for the video.
I'm not sure why but I know it's not from my antenna.
I use hamrs I live in Deep South Texas. Now I have a question for you, I don't know what part of Texas you are in, but you know we have wind!! I was out with my WRC 17-foot whip antenna, and it got blew down by the wind (20MPH) gust of wind. Do you put sans bags on your tripod to keep this from happening? Rember the soil down here is hard clay. WQ9V
I live in Huntsville, TX. I haven't used sand bags but that would work. I've put some stakes over the legs of the WRC to keep it from falling on windy days. Worked pretty good. Sand bags prob would work better, but they're also a lot heavier.
@@hamradiotube Cool I hope to get you on a pota one day. I have some stakes however the ground is hard clay or mush when it is wet. WQ9V
I keep eyeing the m&p ultra flex 7 Sahara. Would it be good for portable\pota? I know its a good upgrade from my shacks rg8x.
Before I got the POTA-Flex I used the UltraFlex 7 Sahara for POTA.
I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be making an order soon.
I don't do anything outside when it's crappy.
If I upload my logs to HAMRS or QRZ or LotW or whatever, should I keep the files on my computer or can I delete them? KD9WFF
I import my log to QRZ periodically, but I keep the master log on my computer as well so I can access it without an internet connection.
What happens if trees need to be pruned? On a yearly basis
I guess you'd either have to prune them yourself or hire a landscaper to do it for you.
Central Florida. Heat...humidity...lightening...bugs...gators...snakes....it's all good. Oh, HAMRS. It's all I use.
We have all those things in TX too. Oddly, when I moved to Texas it reminded me very much of my home state of FL.
with all those antenna connections in and around those trees, better hope someone doesn't decide to start tree trimming.😜😁
LOL that actually happened once when the electric company was changing out some wires. They cut my paracord but the antenna was fine.
when you’re a HAMRS,…..every thing looks like a nail
I really don't understand this tendency for hams to continue to support software that itself isn't developed or supported. HAMRS isn't actively developed. The email address goes unanswered and the forums are dead. The Android app eats logs for breakfast if you have a look at the ratings and feedback. Nevertheless, hams are making videos about how great it is. Let's support software that's supported by it's developers.
I hear ya. I guess were all holding out hope it gets a solid update soon. I’m willing to bet if it isn’t supported in short order it’ll fade into obscurity. As it should. Although I really do like Hamrs and am hopeing for the former.
Sometimes good software is developed and the developer moves on in life. It doesn't take away from the software.
I hear you, from a security perspective: this is terrible. Google Play (at one point) has a policy about software requiring updates.
I haven't had any issues with hamrs for what it's worth.
Just thought I'd let you know that a new version just came out for hamrs (1.0.7) and the mobile versions should be coming out soon.
As much as I would love to switch to a different logger, hamrs is the only one I am aware of that natively supports iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux. N3FJP only natively supports Mac and Windows so that's not good enough for me when I use Linux and android. (And using wine to get it working on Linux doesn't count in my book)
I am assuming you know by now that HAMRS has been updated to 1.0.7 and I can't comment on the Android app, but I do have the Apple app on the iPad and I like it a lot. I am extremely happy that it has been updated as I think it is the best portable logging program. I also use N3FJP for some of the contests and my general log. POTA on. N3EDO
So YOU’RE the reason the price of Doingies keep going up.
Sorry.
I guess no HOA.
I would never live in an HOA.