When the blue stripe team rolls up it puts a damper on yr day, even it goes well, has happened to me here in Bahrain as well, I work portable only, n sooner or a later someone calls in, n here we go, so always trying to be in quiet areas, these are getting few/difficult/ restricted etc,... luckily the LEOs are normally quite cordial, after many phone n radio calls, all is ok, but I do have 1 ham radio colleague who went away in cuffs, to be sorted many hours later, so ya never know. Im surprised we dont hear more stories in regards to POTA activations
The Ncis story is great .. I'm in Australia vk3 and we don't have as bigger ham community as the USA my car has several antennas (about 8) I often get attention from the local police and authorities. GENRALLY after a chat a look and a demo they are fine most local police know the car now and give me a wave I generally find honesty is best and once they know what it's all about they are fine
Yep, I'm well-versed on those terms. I was an LEO for the Coast Guard about 30 years ago. At the time, I had no idea that some of our procedures had the potential to violate ones rights. Officers don't necessarily learn the law; they learn their policies. I say "potential to violate" because it's not a violation if the subject consents to the encounter or to search. Again, I like to be a good ambassador for ham radio. BUT, should the gumballs blaze and questions start to sound "investigative," I'm invoking the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
i too pota from the area on the parkway but yet to have any run ins with the navy.. usually have my wrc set up and my mini table and chair.. with radio and laptop set upon...who knows.. we heard from the club nearby about this happening.. its crazy ..
Hey Randy - Not sure if you're aware of WAARC's "Coffee and Radio Net" that meets each day at 9am on 146.76 MHz. The repeater has no tones and all are welcome. I'm a regular participant, usually on the Colonial Parkway during the net, and often NCS on Wednesdays. Topics vary quite a bit so things don't get stale. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
Stuff like what happened to the guy with that car has happened to me my whole life. With NO antennas or car. I will not explain why. Just walking around " The wrong neighborhood." or while trying to find my coworkers car that he had loaned to me to go get both of us lunch. It has happened so often that I consider it a fact of life, like breathing or blinking my eyes. But it is the very reason I am hesitant to do POTA or SOTA. To your friend I say. "Welcome to MY World. Glad to have you as a member :D"
As well as being a Ham Operator, I am also a published photographic artist; landscapes and interesting urban scenes mostly. I prepared and carry a few a "Hello" postcards to carry with me in case I am ever asked why I am taking photographs of old buildings, and things. I had to use one a couple of years ago, when I was doing a project connected to locks and gates. I use medium and larger format film equipment, so it takes some deliberate setting up for each shot. I was setting up (framing the scene and setting exposure), on a public road for an interesting looking scene when I was approached by a really tough looking security guard. He asked me what I was doing and I said in a pleasant tone with a smile that I am a local artist and was taking some photos of the scene (a rusty and partly down fence with a locked gate at one end), as it was really interesting visually. The look on his face was priceless... Sheer disbelief that anyone could think rust and a half knocked down fence with old trees was a "good" thing. I handed him one of my "Hello" cards that has all my information on, links to website with info and so on and said if he wanted to come see my work on show, that I was part of an exhibition at a large local museum in a couple of months time and that he could get a free ticket in exchange of that postcard. He mumbled something I couldn't understand and walked away. The same with Park Rangers and Ham Radio. K8MRD - This is a good use for the QSL cards you don't use... to hand out to people to support an explanation about what I am doing. Officials also like to see the small wallet license you can clip off the bottom of your FCC license page. "Would you like to see my Federal License?" is usually enough to get them to check in by "walkie talkie" to the ranger station and then be told to "leave me alone." Always smile and be open and honest about what you are doing and offer to explain all the gruesome details. That usually makes them back away and (wait for it), leave you alone. 😄
great NCIS story ! may be a idea for the TV show on CBS. I am in NY. We have NY state park police hear. and NY state police that protroll st parks. They have been very friendly to me. very supportive of ham radio. han one even take a lunch break with me and my girlfriend. I even had some one from national weather service stop buy. was fun. even the NY DEC police been very nice. I am known for leaving my cite cleaner than when I come in. yes I pick up outher peoples trash . I keep a folder on what to look out for. dear ticks ,rabies. ETC. up to date info. our state health derp. and DEC keep track of that info. 73's
Yes, ham sticks are designed for vehicles where the vehicle is the counterpoise. I actually use a ham stick as a counterpoise - I am not sure yet how well I like it, but In a month or so I will have figured it out. I don't think using a ham stick as a counterpoise will make me stand out enough to attract the attention of the Navy, though my boating activities have gotten me special visits by Customs before. As a retire LEO I shake my head and wistfully recall the days of my youth when we could say to one another, It is a free country. 73.
I haven't had trouble yet doing POTA, just the normal curiosity seekers. If someone gives me a hard time (aside from 'authorities'), my plan is to simply take out my FCC license and say something like "I'm a federally licensed radio operator, and spend a great deal of time testing antennas and radio equipment. Should you continue to disrupt my activities, I'll have no other option but to report you to the FCC where they may issue you a substantial fine. I'll need to see your identification at this time for possible reporting purposes". LOL! Mike - ND7E
I can only imagine! LOL I used to get some looks and comments when I rolled with a quad band on the driver's door (lip mount) and 20 & 40 Hamsticks on Breedlove stake pocket mnts. One time I was doing the drive thru "jab" at the VA and the Doc asked if I got the ISS. "Actually yes I can, but right now I'm listening to someone in Italy on 40m."
Mike, I’ve used those fiberglass poles used with camo netting as well as the aluminum ones, I suggest he use the aluminum poles. We replaced multiple fiberglass sections every time the wind blew above 10 mph. If worried about conductivity, he could use a short section of PVC pipe to isolate the feed point from the aluminum mast. Both are available on the surplus market. I use the aluminum sections exclusively for my field antenna and use a two foot section of PVC at the top. 73s, Tim KO4EZG
May have de-sense issues with the Diamond and the Echolink node antenna when on the same frequency (repeater) and transmitting on your main antenna. I run into that with my Tram at 46' feet and my Echolink much lower using a mag mount. Even at minimum power.
I was also thinking of SWR and maybe overload issues if one VHF antenna is mounted right next to the coax that is run to the next higher antenna. I have used three antennas on the same mast before, but one was a Diamond 2 meter Yagi with the mounting arm that extends the Yagi out away from the mast. The highest antenna was a Larsen 2/70 NMO mobile and the lowest was a 40 meter inverted V and 20 meter inverted V on the same balun. Other times I use a N9TAX roll up jpole antenna at the top with a linked inverted V antenna at the N9TAX's SO-239.
There is an episode in the later seasons (can't remember which now - after the Tony, and Ziva era...) where one of the murder victims was a ham radio operator. They bring the victim's equipment into the evidence garage, and set it up to try to make contact with another one of his ham radio buddies. Unfortunately, the writers have no clue about how the ham radio call sign works, and they try to call the other guy with CB radio handles instead. Kind of funny. DE K7RLN
I haven't had 5-0 called on me yet -- but I do get my share of what I call "peepers." These are mainly people peeping at me through the windows of my ride while I'm either talking on my rig or recording footage for later use in content. I guess it doesn't help that I have a fairly large Diamond NR770 antenna on my ride but no matter what I do -- there they are peeping at me. What's so amazing to me is how fast these peepers pop up in order to mind my business when I'm minding my own business. On average, it is within 8 to 10 minutes of me finding a spot where I can do whatnot -- there they are peeping at me.
HAHA! I recently published a video tour of my "antenna farm." It was one of my most challenging videos since I could hardly find a spot where I wasn't approached before I could finish recording the video. My visitors were nice and just curious; but their visits still were disruptions. I finally got the privacy I wanted by shooting early in the morning after some thunderstorms. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
Several years ago, before POTA became a "thing", I was operating from a remote corner of a campground high up in the mountains. I had mounted a 6M Moxon on a 10' pole by the back of my van and was working in a VHF contest. A BLM officer drove up and made a bee line for me. With her right hand on her gun she proceeded to order me to take down the antenna because it was large and dangerous. I was pretty much done operating for the day anyway so I shrugged my shoulders and said sure. There really wasn't any room for discussion anyway and I didn't want to get arrested and hauled off the the nearest town 50 miles away. So no POTA for me thank you very much.
You should have gotten her name and badge number. Then show her your FCC license and let her know you are on PUBLIC property and have every right to operate. She has no grounds to arrest you, and if you were, you could probably become the recipient of a nice settlement. I'd also find out who the head of the BLM is, and/or contact the local sheriff and report her for misuse of authority.
He should get all the cards he can get. Maybe get some coins! Don't think most people know about the coins! It was talked about once or twice. The one with the bigest coin everyone pays for his drinks. If you can get a coin from The Secretary of Defense, or some near that you don't need to pay for drinks! Also people don't mess with you because you know people high up!
I don't have any large coins, but I do have one from a PJ. Those are said to be rare because they don't give them to just anyone (or they didn't 20 years ago). He gave me his coin because I made a personal and professional impact on him during a difficult time. I don't play the "coin game" or pursue a collection; but I do cherish that coin. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
I’ve been asked that several times. My stock answer is, “I haven’t talked to any aliens yet, but I can talk to the International Space Station!” They usually think that’s pretty cool. 😊
When the blue stripe team rolls up it puts a damper on yr day, even it goes well, has happened to me here in Bahrain as well, I work portable only, n sooner or a later someone calls in, n here we go, so always trying to be in quiet areas, these are getting few/difficult/ restricted etc,... luckily the LEOs are normally quite cordial, after many phone n radio calls, all is ok, but I do have 1 ham radio colleague who went away in cuffs, to be sorted many hours later, so ya never know. Im surprised we dont hear more stories in regards to POTA activations
The Ncis story is great ..
I'm in Australia vk3 and we don't have as bigger ham community as the USA my car has several antennas (about 8) I often get attention from the local police and authorities. GENRALLY after a chat a look and a demo they are fine most local police know the car now and give me a wave I generally find honesty is best and once they know what it's all about they are fine
"I don't answer questions"
"Am I being detained?"
Yep, I'm well-versed on those terms. I was an LEO for the Coast Guard about 30 years ago. At the time, I had no idea that some of our procedures had the potential to violate ones rights. Officers don't necessarily learn the law; they learn their policies. I say "potential to violate" because it's not a violation if the subject consents to the encounter or to search. Again, I like to be a good ambassador for ham radio. BUT, should the gumballs blaze and questions start to sound "investigative," I'm invoking the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
i too pota from the area on the parkway but yet to have any run ins with the navy.. usually have my wrc set up and my mini table and chair.. with radio and laptop set upon...who knows.. we heard from the club nearby about this happening.. its crazy ..
Hey Randy - Not sure if you're aware of WAARC's "Coffee and Radio Net" that meets each day at 9am on 146.76 MHz. The repeater has no tones and all are welcome. I'm a regular participant, usually on the Colonial Parkway during the net, and often NCS on Wednesdays. Topics vary quite a bit so things don't get stale. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
Why didn't he ask "Where's Gibbs"😂
Stuff like what happened to the guy with that car has happened to me my whole life. With NO antennas or car. I will not explain why. Just walking around " The wrong neighborhood." or while trying to find my coworkers car that he had loaned to me to go get both of us lunch. It has happened so often that I consider it a fact of life, like breathing or blinking my eyes. But it is the very reason I am hesitant to do POTA or SOTA.
To your friend I say. "Welcome to MY World. Glad to have you as a member :D"
As well as being a Ham Operator, I am also a published photographic artist; landscapes and interesting urban scenes mostly. I prepared and carry a few a "Hello" postcards to carry with me in case I am ever asked why I am taking photographs of old buildings, and things. I had to use one a couple of years ago, when I was doing a project connected to locks and gates.
I use medium and larger format film equipment, so it takes some deliberate setting up for each shot. I was setting up (framing the scene and setting exposure), on a public road for an interesting looking scene when I was approached by a really tough looking security guard. He asked me what I was doing and I said in a pleasant tone with a smile that I am a local artist and was taking some photos of the scene (a rusty and partly down fence with a locked gate at one end), as it was really interesting visually.
The look on his face was priceless... Sheer disbelief that anyone could think rust and a half knocked down fence with old trees was a "good" thing. I handed him one of my "Hello" cards that has all my information on, links to website with info and so on and said if he wanted to come see my work on show, that I was part of an exhibition at a large local museum in a couple of months time and that he could get a free ticket in exchange of that postcard. He mumbled something I couldn't understand and walked away.
The same with Park Rangers and Ham Radio. K8MRD - This is a good use for the QSL cards you don't use... to hand out to people to support an explanation about what I am doing. Officials also like to see the small wallet license you can clip off the bottom of your FCC license page. "Would you like to see my Federal License?" is usually enough to get them to check in by "walkie talkie" to the ranger station and then be told to "leave me alone." Always smile and be open and honest about what you are doing and offer to explain all the gruesome details. That usually makes them back away and (wait for it), leave you alone. 😄
great NCIS story ! may be a idea for the TV show on CBS. I am in NY. We have NY state park police hear. and NY state police that protroll st parks. They have been very friendly to me. very supportive of ham radio. han one even take a lunch break with me and my girlfriend. I even had some one from national weather service stop buy. was fun. even the NY DEC police been very nice. I am known for leaving my cite cleaner than when I come in. yes I pick up outher peoples trash . I keep a folder on what to look out for. dear ticks ,rabies. ETC. up to date info. our state health derp. and DEC keep track of that info. 73's
Name drop for ringway Manchester. His abandoned videos are great.
Yes, ham sticks are designed for vehicles where the vehicle is the counterpoise. I actually use a ham stick as a counterpoise - I am not sure yet how well I like it, but In a month or so I will have figured it out. I don't think using a ham stick as a counterpoise will make me stand out enough to attract the attention of the Navy, though my boating activities have gotten me special visits by Customs before. As a retire LEO I shake my head and wistfully recall the days of my youth when we could say to one another, It is a free country. 73.
The NCIS story is awesome!
I haven't had trouble yet doing POTA, just the normal curiosity seekers. If someone gives me a hard time (aside from 'authorities'), my plan is to simply take out my FCC license and say something like "I'm a federally licensed radio operator, and spend a great deal of time testing antennas and radio equipment. Should you continue to disrupt my activities, I'll have no other option but to report you to the FCC where they may issue you a substantial fine. I'll need to see your identification at this time for possible reporting purposes". LOL!
Mike - ND7E
Nice Homage to Billy Maddison!!
thanks
The only real comment I've has from a park ranger was "Yeah, my great grandpa was a ham."
I can only imagine! LOL
I used to get some looks and comments when I rolled with a quad band on the driver's door (lip mount) and 20 & 40 Hamsticks on Breedlove stake pocket mnts. One time I was doing the drive thru "jab" at the VA and the Doc asked if I got the ISS. "Actually yes I can, but right now I'm listening to someone in Italy on 40m."
Mike, I’ve used those fiberglass poles used with camo netting as well as the aluminum ones, I suggest he use the aluminum poles. We replaced multiple fiberglass sections every time the wind blew above 10 mph. If worried about conductivity, he could use a short section of PVC pipe to isolate the feed point from the aluminum mast. Both are available on the surplus market. I use the aluminum sections exclusively for my field antenna and use a two foot section of PVC at the top.
73s, Tim KO4EZG
Interesting. I’ve been using the same fiberglass poles for years now without issue.
May have de-sense issues with the Diamond and the Echolink node antenna when on the same frequency (repeater) and transmitting on your main antenna. I run into that with my Tram at 46' feet and my Echolink much lower using a mag mount. Even at minimum power.
I was also thinking of SWR and maybe overload issues if one VHF antenna is mounted right next to the coax that is run to the next higher antenna. I have used three antennas on the same mast before, but one was a Diamond 2 meter Yagi with the mounting arm that extends the Yagi out away from the mast. The highest antenna was a Larsen 2/70 NMO mobile and the lowest was a 40 meter inverted V and 20 meter inverted V on the same balun. Other times I use a N9TAX roll up jpole antenna at the top with a linked inverted V antenna at the N9TAX's SO-239.
I got hassled by police, park rangers and anyone else when I flew FPV drones anywhere. Fun Police for every hobby.
Don't you just love the land of the free.
I know Scott and have activated the same three parks in the same area, but I did not have any law enforcement visitors.
Hey Vince! Good to see you in here. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
i have 2 meter at the top of my pole and an inverted ve about 4 foot under the 2 meter .. so I do run 2 on one pole
My newest kitty "Annie" said Meow to your boy Satan, she thinks he is cool! Also, Graystripe said meow too.
Awe, meows back to both of them.
I love that monolog from the first time I heard it 😍 🤣
"I award you no points, May god have mercy on your soul." 🤣🤣Man you went in on that one.
I QSO'd with these two brothers last week.
...... And now he is on a no fly list... Hihi
“Three antennas at the same time man.” That was awesome! Dead on with the voice. 😂
Lol you're the only one who's caught that reference so far!!
@@hamradiotube "You don't need a million dollars for that Lawrence." "You do for the kind of antennas that would triple up on a dude like me."
Tell him keep his hands in sight at all times when dealing with the authorities.
"bwaahahahahahahahah, lol . . ." You make me laugh and teach me stuff! Thanks, Mike. 73 de K0WHW @Bill-HRT
Can't wait to watch a ham get busted on the next season of NCIS.
lol that would be great!
I would be happy to have Ziva handcuff me!!!
There is an episode in the later seasons (can't remember which now - after the Tony, and Ziva era...) where one of the murder victims was a ham radio operator. They bring the victim's equipment into the evidence garage, and set it up to try to make contact with another one of his ham radio buddies. Unfortunately, the writers have no clue about how the ham radio call sign works, and they try to call the other guy with CB radio handles instead. Kind of funny. DE K7RLN
This was a fun MBM. Thanks.
Lions and tigers and bears... Oh my!!
Haha billy Maddison and a nod to office space :) nice!
Hey you caught that!
DJG and DJF are both great young hams here in Bama. WD4SS keep up the great content. 73
Awesome!!
Great mailbag Monday Mike!
I haven't had 5-0 called on me yet -- but I do get my share of what I call "peepers." These are mainly people peeping at me through the windows of my ride while I'm either talking on my rig or recording footage for later use in content. I guess it doesn't help that I have a fairly large Diamond NR770 antenna on my ride but no matter what I do -- there they are peeping at me. What's so amazing to me is how fast these peepers pop up in order to mind my business when I'm minding my own business. On average, it is within 8 to 10 minutes of me finding a spot where I can do whatnot -- there they are peeping at me.
HAHA! I recently published a video tour of my "antenna farm." It was one of my most challenging videos since I could hardly find a spot where I wasn't approached before I could finish recording the video. My visitors were nice and just curious; but their visits still were disruptions. I finally got the privacy I wanted by shooting early in the morning after some thunderstorms. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
The two dual band antennas need to be separated if both are in use.
Is HAMRS app only for Pota ? What do u use for HF logging ?
Yes. Check out RumLogNG for a main logging software.
HAMRS is not just for POTA, it has a "general" template for day-to-day logging.
If NCIS shows up again can you have them send Gibbs and get me his autograph!?!! 73 de N9RAN
Awesome story!
Yes it was!
I LOVE it !!!
Several years ago, before POTA became a "thing", I was operating from a remote corner of a campground high up in the mountains. I had mounted a 6M Moxon on a 10' pole by the back of my van and was working in a VHF contest. A BLM officer drove up and made a bee line for me. With her right hand on her gun she proceeded to order me to take down the antenna because it was large and dangerous. I was pretty much done operating for the day anyway so I shrugged my shoulders and said sure. There really wasn't any room for discussion anyway and I didn't want to get arrested and hauled off the the nearest town 50 miles away. So no POTA for me thank you very much.
Well that sucks. I'm sure showing her your FCC license did nothing to calm that situation down did it?
You should have gotten her name and badge number. Then show her your FCC license and let her know you are on PUBLIC property and have every right to operate. She has no grounds to arrest you, and if you were, you could probably become the recipient of a nice settlement. I'd also find out who the head of the BLM is, and/or contact the local sheriff and report her for misuse of authority.
But are we going to need a buffalo (alive or stuffed, preferably stuffed for safety)?
WTH Cards lol.. Love it!!
Yeah I thought those were pretty slick too.
He should get all the cards he can get. Maybe get some coins! Don't think most people know about the coins! It was talked about once or twice. The one with the bigest coin everyone pays for his drinks. If you can get a coin from The Secretary of Defense, or some near that you don't need to pay for drinks! Also people don't mess with you because you know people high up!
I don't have any large coins, but I do have one from a PJ. Those are said to be rare because they don't give them to just anyone (or they didn't 20 years ago). He gave me his coin because I made a personal and professional impact on him during a difficult time. I don't play the "coin game" or pursue a collection; but I do cherish that coin. 73! Scott, KE4WMF
There's a banana on your floor.
Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.
haha!
Maaan I'm glad I called that guy....
@@Wayde-VA3NCA Lol best quote of the movie for sure!!
I had a woman with her young daughter ask me (from a distance) if I was talking to aliens. I'm tempted to say yes next time 😄
W3MMW
I’ve been asked that several times. My stock answer is, “I haven’t talked to any aliens yet, but I can talk to the International Space Station!” They usually think that’s pretty cool. 😊
So have you??
@@hamradiotube nah, probably going to need the Dx commander and a couple of tin foil hats for that one 🤣
Beautiful! 🤣
I have MacBook and I Mac desktop