FYI: we have a winner for the secret little giveaway I had hidden in this video! Many replied--many more than I would have ever guessed!--thank you so much. Fear not; I'll do this again in future videos from time to time. Congrats to Daniel (M6KEC) for being the first to reply! -Thomas (K4SWL)
Enjoyed the video Thomas. I also enjoy operating my KH1 on the beach with the pleasant surroundings as a Hunter from time to time even though I’m primarily an activator. W4LOO 72 1:39:31
This is one of your best videos. WHY? Because you give insight for new or less active CW operators how to activate a POTA site via CW all while improving their skills. That's how I started my CW POTA journey through hunting CW operators during a POTA activation. I basically had not used CW since 1991. At that time I could do 26 WPM in my sleep. I could have pedaled along at 12 WPM during an activation but it wasn't in me to do that. Daily short stents of CW operating from home and POTA hunting had my speed up to 18 WPM in about a month. FOLKS: Don't be intimidated by CW/ If you know the characters or even close. GET ON THE AIR. POTA's format is an EXCELLENT way to build your receiving recognition, speed and confidence.
Thank you so much, Jim, for the kind comments. You are spot-on with advice to new ops. Get on the air and trust that your POTA and CW community will help you along the way! :) We've got your back! Jim, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here's hoping that the radio propagation hole to KY shifts so I can put you int he logs even more in 2025! :)
One day I will get you in my logs and/or meet you in person at a Hamfest. You’ve been an inspiration to me in my CW journey. Thank you, so much, for these videos. You help so many of us who are trying to get competent in this discipline. This channel makes me really want to master code.
Great thing about this format is no Editing required :) Love to hunt Pota from the warmth of my home. Great stuff Thomas looking forward to the Next HR WorkBench, Merry Christmas !
I am a fairly new CW Op and I have one POTA activation under my belt using this same technique. My decoding is a little slow for doing a normal activation, but I am very comfortable hunting. Looking forward to the day when I can actually activate a park without hunting. Another great video Thomas! TU 72!
You'll get there! When you can copy callsigns without much difficulty (not perfectly), just go try an activation. Slow down your keyer 1 to 2 WPM (slower than you normally use) and hit the air. The ops on the other end will work with you! You've got this! (Afterwards, give yourself a little prize for completing your first CW activation!). Best & 72, Thomas K4SWL
Just wanna do a little video here... 1:44hr later... LOL Nice property, thanks for doing a video on X-Mass! I think I will watch it in sections. ;-) Oh, yes Merry X-Mas and happy New Year Thomas. I like following your shadow as you setup your POTA site! I always enjoy your videos. Cheers, a.
First I bought a Helinox chair, then I ordered an MC-750 (soon to arrive); now I need to find one of those little folding tables. You, sir, are going to cause me to spend more money 😃. Merry Christmas!
Great to hear local station W6CSN at 37:24. KO6BTY made one of our very few contats with Matt when we went to New Mexico to pick up Christmas Tamales and pecans last weekend. We activated US-4551, Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. Thanks Thomas! 72 de KD0FNR
It breaks my heart to see all those old growth trees ripped out by the roots. It’s obvious that you did a LOT of chainsawing to get that road open again.
Merry Christmas my dear friends! Here's wishing you the very best--I hope to stop by your place for a visit sometime this year. It's been way too long! Feel free to visit us as well. We would love to see you. :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! -Thomasito
WEll its been a while since I've been able to catch you on an activation Tom but this was great! to watch on Christmas Day! MC to you and the family and hopefully we'll CUDTLOM!! 73 de Ellis WA1RKS
ALWAYS enjoy your videos. This one was especially nice. Thank you for always being a positive influence. Wishing you & your family Happy Holidays and a prosperous 2025. 73, KF4LMZ
FYI: we have a winner for the secret little giveaway I had hidden in this video! Many replied--many more than I would have ever guessed!--thank you so much. Fear not; I'll do this again in future videos from time to time. Congrats to Daniel (M6KEC) for being the first to reply! -Thomas (K4SWL)
Enjoyed the video Thomas. I also enjoy operating my KH1 on the beach with the pleasant surroundings as a Hunter from time to time even though I’m primarily an activator. W4LOO 72 1:39:31
This is one of your best videos. WHY? Because you give insight for new or less active CW operators how to activate a POTA site via CW all while improving their skills. That's how I started my CW POTA journey through hunting CW operators during a POTA activation. I basically had not used CW since 1991. At that time I could do 26 WPM in my sleep. I could have pedaled along at 12 WPM during an activation but it wasn't in me to do that. Daily short stents of CW operating from home and POTA hunting had my speed up to 18 WPM in about a month. FOLKS: Don't be intimidated by CW/ If you know the characters or even close. GET ON THE AIR. POTA's format is an EXCELLENT way to build your receiving recognition, speed and confidence.
Can I like this post twice?
Thank you so much, Jim, for the kind comments. You are spot-on with advice to new ops. Get on the air and trust that your POTA and CW community will help you along the way! :) We've got your back! Jim, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here's hoping that the radio propagation hole to KY shifts so I can put you int he logs even more in 2025! :)
One day I will get you in my logs and/or meet you in person at a Hamfest. You’ve been an inspiration to me in my CW journey. Thank you, so much, for these videos. You help so many of us who are trying to get competent in this discipline. This channel makes me really want to master code.
Thank you so much for the kind words. That makes my day. Yes, indeed, I hope to log and run into you as well! Let's hope that happens in 2025!
Enjoyed this video. Brings back great memories of being there!
Yes! I was thinking you might recognize the driveway and woods there in front of the house!
Great thing about this format is no Editing required :) Love to hunt Pota from the warmth of my home. Great stuff Thomas looking forward to the Next HR WorkBench, Merry Christmas !
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Brilliant video 👍 really enjoyed here in the UK. Happy new year when the time comes.
I am a fairly new CW Op and I have one POTA activation under my belt using this same technique. My decoding is a little slow for doing a normal activation, but I am very comfortable hunting. Looking forward to the day when I can actually activate a park without hunting. Another great video Thomas! TU 72!
You'll get there! When you can copy callsigns without much difficulty (not perfectly), just go try an activation. Slow down your keyer 1 to 2 WPM (slower than you normally use) and hit the air. The ops on the other end will work with you! You've got this! (Afterwards, give yourself a little prize for completing your first CW activation!). Best & 72, Thomas K4SWL
Just wanna do a little video here... 1:44hr later... LOL
Nice property, thanks for doing a video on X-Mass!
I think I will watch it in sections. ;-)
Oh, yes Merry X-Mas and happy New Year Thomas.
I like following your shadow as you setup your POTA site!
I always enjoy your videos.
Cheers,
a.
Haha! I should never say that I want to keep a video short! Ha ha ha! Thank you for the kind words.
First I bought a Helinox chair, then I ordered an MC-750 (soon to arrive); now I need to find one of those little folding tables. You, sir, are going to cause me to spend more money 😃. Merry Christmas!
Ha ha! I can tell you that the little table really does the trick. Merry Christmas! :)
Merry Christmas, Thomas !!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
Not boring to me, enjoy how you work.
The final evolution: Summits on the Air -> Parks on the Air -> Houses on the Air.
Merry Christmas!
I love it! :) Merry Christmas!
Title is absolutely right, I'll watch it tomorrow. Have a good night!
Always informative and casual. Another winner. Happy New Year
This style has always been my preferred way to hunt pota. Back yard or anywhere weather permitting. Thanks for sharing Thomas.
It's all about just getting out there and having a good time on the air in the open air! :) Merry Christmas, Mike!
Thank you Thomas for another great video and one near to my heart. Merry Christmas & Happiest of New Year’s! 72 my Friend
Many thanks, my friend! :) Merry Christmas!
Field hunting as a QRP station is no easy task. Good thing you brought coffee and cookies to sustain you through the effort.
Ha ha! Yes, that was proper POTA fuel! I good 900 calories of it, most likely! :)
Great to hear local station W6CSN at 37:24. KO6BTY made one of our very few contats with Matt when we went to New Mexico to pick up Christmas Tamales and pecans last weekend. We activated US-4551, Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. Thanks Thomas! 72 de KD0FNR
Merry Christmas Thomas, great video. Hunting has its challenges running 5 watts or less, but it’s very rewarding.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Thomas!
Merry Christmas!
It breaks my heart to see all those old growth trees ripped out by the roots. It’s obvious that you did a LOT of chainsawing to get that road open again.
Yes, it's tough to see these old trees all on the ground. We've still so much work to do, but will move on! :)
That's a LOT of downed trees to cut! gives a sense of the scale of the work you had to do after the storm.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year to you and your family. Glad to read Hazel got her treats!
MC & 73, Larry AI7YQ
She did indeed! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Thomas. - KI8R
Merry Christmas! :)
Merry Christmas Thomas! Always enjoy your videos. 73 W9IN.
Merry Christmas! Thank you!
Another winner. Still the season so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas & 73!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Xmas Thomasito & family too! Is nice to hear you, hope everything is ok! ❤
Merry Christmas my dear friends! Here's wishing you the very best--I hope to stop by your place for a visit sometime this year. It's been way too long! Feel free to visit us as well. We would love to see you. :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! -Thomasito
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Hazel did not get her treats. LOL Great activation
She did post-activation, though. I think she could smell them in my pocket! :)
Wonderful video. So beautiful.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!! 72
Merry Christmas!
Not boring to me.. i enjoyed it very much... 73 Klaus
Thank you, Klaus!
WEll its been a while since I've been able to catch you on an activation Tom but this was great! to watch on Christmas Day! MC to you and the family and hopefully we'll CUDTLOM!! 73 de Ellis WA1RKS
I'm sure we'll log each other in 2025, OM! A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!
ALWAYS enjoy your videos. This one was especially nice. Thank you for always being a positive influence. Wishing you & your family Happy Holidays and a prosperous 2025. 73, KF4LMZ
Great Video--the crunch of those cookies drives me crazy!! Which Trader Joes cookie??? KB6QEW
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnddd!!!!!!!!!!! 😊🎉
I was out activating today starting at 17:05 UTC, sorry I missed you! Merry Christmas! 72 de AI5DD
It would have been great to work you! Next time, though! Merry Christmas!