Winter Field Day, Summer Field Day, "Summits On The Air" with W7MRC, Amateur Radio, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Field Craft, Living in Montana, Old 4 Wheel Drives, Old Tube Radios, Hiking and "Just Getting Out There"
On February 9, 2025, my good friend Vlado (N3CZ) and I headed out to Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) near Looking Glass Falls for a joint POTA activation.
This is Part 1 of our activation — and while I typically write much longer field reports, I’m still in the final stages of Hurricane Helene debris removal around our property.
To keep things moving, I’ll keep this one short and sweet–a postcard field report length. I truly appreciate everyone’s understanding!
Pisgah National Forest (US-4510)
The weather couldn’t have been better for our outing — crisp, cool air with bright sunshine filtering through the trees. It was one of those perfect days where you feel lucky just to be outside, let alone playing radio with a great friend.
Our activation video below captures the entire activation from Vlado deploying the antenna, to setting up the radio gear and both of our activations.
Vlado kicked things off with his trusty Elecraft KX1 hooked up to an end-fed half-wave he built himself.
After he wrapped up his activation, he handed the controls over to me. I logged 41 contacts in 39 minutes — the bands were lively, and the little KX1 was working like a charm. (Golly I love this radio!)
We stopped the video there to wrap up Part 1, but we weren’t quite finished yet. We switched to a different radio and kept the POTA fun going for a while longer — stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive into a new setup and share more of the adventure!
Gear:
Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.
Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map. Please note that all of the blue lines are the QSOs from this activation on 20 meters.Click on the map image to enlarge.
Activation Video
Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation. As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have YouTube monetization turned off, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.
Thank you for joining me during this activation and for understanding why I’m keeping the field report portion on the short side!
I hope you enjoyed the field report and my activation video as much as I enjoyed creating them!
Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.
As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo makes it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.
Thanks for spending part of your day with us! Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers & 72, Thomas (K4SWL)
PS: Consider joining our QRPer.net discussion board! It’s an active community of radio operators who enjoy helping and supporting each other. It’s also the best place to ask any questions you might have about radios, field activities, antennas, or pretty much anything amateur radio. Click here to join.
The TRIO is a remotely controlled, high power, high isolation, single radio antenna switch operating up to 70MHz. Modern, simple to setup, intuitive to use. It connects up to three (3) transceivers allowing to share common power amplifier or antenna tuner between transceivers, feeding up to six (6) RX/TX antennas, and selecting one of up to three (3) RX only antennas including a switchable bypass for a pre-amplifier or attenuator. All of this without rewiring any control or RF cable.
TRIO contains two units, a desktop TRIO CONTROLLER and an indoor TRIO SWITCH, connected by a single CAT5 cable to place both boxes optimally, thus avoiding bulky RF feedlines going to the controller located on the operating desk. The TRIO controller interconnects transceivers and amplifier control ports, providing built-in band decoder for each transceiver and one band encoder for the automatic power amplifier or tuner supporting CI-V, BCD, UDP, PTT, ALC, and INHIBIT for all connected devices. The controller unit enables complete antenna management using front panel controls and a built-in responsive web server user interface that allows the user to control the TRIO from any mobile device or computer, either locally or remotely over the Internet from a browser.
A separate TRIO switch box connects all RF connections from the transceivers, amplifier, and antennas. In addition to six (6) RX/TX antennas and three (3) RX antennas, TRIO supports up to four (4) optional ARXC.REL boxes connected to TRIO via RS-485 using CAT5 cable over distances up to 1500 m or up to 5000 m using optional ARXC.LoRa modules. Each ARXC.REL box provides four (4) individual SPDT contacts, controlled by the user-selectable template to control all types of external antenna switches including receive antenna arrays. For each ARXC.REL box, TRIO provides separate control and real-time status on the front panel in parallel with the web server user interface.
I’m sure the vast majority of hams have heard the quip, “Youth are ruining ham radio,” or something similar.
I can assure you that I have.
I can’t even begin to count the number of times that young hams using digital modes has been equated with the downfall of the entire hobby as we know it. Regardless of this common stereotype, I think it’s time for us to take a deeper look into what youth are actually contributing to the hobby.
Young amateurs bring an impressive amount of enthusiasm and vivacity to the amateur radio community. They possess an immense amount of technical skill and flexibility, in addition to their nearly universal desire to create a welcoming and supportive environment for both their younger and older peers through volunteerism and encouragement.
From my experiences working with young hams and by looking at some of my favorite things to do in ham radio, I’ve noticed that younger members of the amateur radio community enjoy a number of things that older enthusiasts perhaps wouldn’t expect, including contesting, hamfests, rag-chewing, and even CW. Young hams bring with them into these realms technical adeptness that enhances the already existing methods of doing things and, in some cases, even develop new ones. They also provide diverse points of view and an openness to trying new things and meeting new people, all things that greatly benefit the hobby.
The young amateur radio operators who I’ve met through various organizations like YACHT (Young Amateur Communications Ham Team) and YOTA (Youth On The Air) offer new and unique ways of thinking as well as problem-solving abilities. The objectives of YACHT and YOTA are to get young hams together so that they can mentor each other and learn from people relatively close to their age.
Through the years, this model has proven extremely successful. For example, during the pandemic I was interested in learning about computer coding. One of my fellow YACHT members was interested in learning Morse code. Regardless of the geographical difference of nearly half the country, we quickly became friends and mentored each other in our respective areas of interest. To this day, we are still very close friends and share what we are learning through amateur radio.
Similar connections are common in the YOTA group as well. The young people who attend YOTA events leave with boundless new knowledge, connections, and, most importantly, new friends. By giving young hams the opportunity to learn from each other, the sharing of ideas is encouraged, leading to some pretty unique solutions to problems.
As I’m sure you’ve inferred by this point, young hams also have an overwhelming desire to make the amateur radio community a welcoming and supportive place for everyone they meet. The spirit of volunteerism is very much alive and well within the youth sector of amateur radio licensees. I’ve noticed that there is almost always a young ham with his or her older peers while they’re assisting with communication or coordination at community events like 5k races. From local clubs to larger groups like the Long Island CW Club, YACHT, and YOTA, there are always opportunities for young hams to serve the amateur radio community however they can or would like to.
There is an immense pressure on young people to volunteer, whether that be from their schools (some even requiring hours for graduation), the National Honor Society or similar organizations, or elsewhere. Amateur radio provides an opportunity to volunteer in a capacity that is meaningful to them and where they’ll get to see the positive effects of their work, resulting in a love of volunteerism and a desire to continue their work in these capacities long after it is “required” for school or other organizations.
All in all, after having reflected on the stigma that youth are “ruining” ham radio, I think we can agree that the opposite is true. The assertion that youth are a burden to the hobby and its history is far from the truth—if anything, they are helping expand the pre-existing culture of volunteerism while bringing a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm to the hobby. Hopefully, young hams will continue to pursue new ventures in amateur radio, be a source of enthusiasm, and elevate the hobby by encouraging their friends and family to become active and join the community of amazing people that amateur radio is.
Arthur Koestler and the Generation of Adventure - LewRockwell: The intellectual and moral level of European elites is shockingly low. I say shockingly because as an American I found the European (and British) accents gave a very sophisticated quality to their discourse. Now, after living in France for almost twenty years, they sound as idiotic as the typical US senator. See the recent Macron and Baerbock speeches as prime examples of this descent. Or maybe it is just that I understand the world a bit better now. I put the current generation in contrast to the generation that came of age in the first-half of the 20the century. It … Continue reading →
Recently, on Feb 21, we posted news about the release of some spectrum analysis and FM demodulator software from M. Khanfar. Now he has just released his latest software "Khanfar Direction Finder" (scroll to the end of the page), a Windows radio direction finding tool for RTL-SDR dongles.
Khanfar Direction Finder appears to work on the principle of power measurements through the use of directional antennas. Four directional antennas are connected to four RTL-SDR dongles positioned in the N/S/E/W directions.
The antenna pointing towards the signal source will receive it stronger and the antenna pointing away from it will receive it weaker. The two other antennas may receive the signal with some intermediate strength based on the angle. The software automatically combines the power information from all four antennas, resulting in a bearing.
The 'Quintet' version of the software also contains a map that can be used to plot the determined bearings.
Both versions of the software are free to download but not open-source. As mentioned in the previous post, antivirus software can flag M. Khanfar's software as suspicious. We suspect these are false positive results due to the PyInstaller system used to create the exe, but please take your own precautions just in case.
Khanfar Direction Finder Compass ScreenKhanfar Direction Finder Map Screen
Access to cultural heritage is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Founded in 2005, LibriVox stands out as a crucial resource, ensuring that our cultural heritage is freely and openly accessible. With its mission “To make all books in the public domain available, narrated by real people and distributed for free, in audio format on the internet,” LibriVox brings thousands of texts to modern audiences in audio form. The site operates on a volunteer basis, with community members dedicating time to record and independently publish these works. Each audiobook is dedicated to the public domain upon publication, reinforcing free and unrestricted access to our cultural heritage and history.
LibriVox’s open structure supports preservation and accessibility. All of the recordings from the site cost nothing, have no limitations on listening time, and are devoid of DRM with the availability to download and keep forever. These positives are especially crucial as more aspects of our digital lives come under tighter corporate controls. The Internet Archive also serves and preserves the digital files in partnership with LibriVox and its community. We host a LibriVox collection full of audios, ensuring these adaptations are accessible.
On a personal note, LibriVox has enriched my own experiences with literature. Their dramatic recordings of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner—complete with full casts—have brought these beloved stories to life in new and vibrant ways for your ears. These audiobooks have not only made revisiting my favorite texts more convenient but have also deepened my appreciation for these texts. They also have become a reliable companion giving me something to listen to during insomnia-fueled nights of tossing and turning in bed.
History and shared culture are worth preserving. LibriVox’s mission helps to make that preservation more accessible, available, and engaging for us all. LibriVox works utilize books provided by Project Gutenberg, an organization dedicated to making public domain texts available. Take some time to explore ourLibriVox Collectionand see what stands out to you. You might even find your next favorite book. Or, consider helping to build this rich collection byvolunteering with Librivox. Happy listening.
The best mobile antenna money can buy isn’t any better than the ground plane it is mounted over. Remember the basic dipole—it needs two elements to be complete. Your vertical element is one, the body of your vehicle is the other, functionally similar to the radials used on a ground-mounted vertical or the user’s body when holding an HT.
In very simple terms, a ground plane is a mass of conductive material such as steel or aluminum right below your antennas—in this case, your vehicle.
This ground plane is required for certain types of antennas such as a 1/4 wave mobile antenna, and it reflects the RF energy into the sky to complete a portion of a radiated signal.
HF: More is Better
A vehicle will actually provide a good ground plane for permanent or VHF/ UHF magnetic-mount antennas with a typical three- to four-inch base. The antenna placement diagram (below) shows only 0.02 dB difference between a mag mount and permanent mount antenna.
With HF, using a vehicle roof for the ground plane is problematic simply because it’s too small. For an effective ground plane, ideally you want at least a quarter wavelength in the desired direction. With a big SUV you might get up to three feet of ground plane, which won’t quite make a quarter wavelength on 15m, 20m, or anything longer. And the three feet is stretching it, putting the antenna at one end of the roof. It’s not really an issue on 2m because it can easily fit within about a 19-inch radius on almost any vehicle roof.
If you want to use any of the HF bands when mobile, you’ll want to extend your ground plane as much as possible. Bonding trunk lids, hoods, tailgates, and other parts to the rest of the vehicle body will help improve the antenna match, along with other benefits. First is noise abatement—bonding minimizes the leakage of RFI into and out of the various bolted on parts of the vehicle. It is not uncommon to see a drop in noise levels once they’re properly grounded.
Depending on the vehicle, there can be several dozen other places where ground straps will provide a benefit. These include, but are not limited to, bumpers, suspension parts, rear axles, tailgates—virtually any bolted-on piece of hardware. Engines are also overlooked because most of them have visible ground straps. They’re for DC, of course, so adding wider ground straps can help minimize ignition noise.
The Hole Truth
Mounting an antenna on a car or truck requires planning. You need to see how the locations will affect radiation patterns and possible losses. Check the image above for data on dB losses based on antenna placement.
We know the best place for the antenna is the center of the roof, mounted directly to the metal. In locations other than top and center, the radiation pattern will be affected to some degree. For example, if you have an antenna on the right side of a vehicle, the pattern will skew to the left to some degree—across the car body. If it’s not mounted at the highest point on the vehicle, parts of the vehicle higher than the antenna can block part of the signal.
But some folks can’t bring themselves to drill a hole, especially in a brand-new car. Some are driving lease vehicles and believe they may be assessed for the damage. Others feel that it affects the car’s trade-in value. Then there’s the spouse/significant other’s opinion: “You’re not gonna put that on our car.”
You can avoid poking holes in the roof, but there’s still a great likelihood you’ll need to scrape off some paint and tighten some set screws into bare metal. Fortunately, it will be hidden.
An Attractive Alternative
I’ve heard some amateurs and CBers bash the use of magnetic-mount antennas. Concerns include them flying off the vehicle, scratching paint, and not providing a true connection to the conductive body of the vehicle. Yet they can work well in many situations and provide the bonus of putting the antenna in the best position without the need for a hole in the roof.
How well a magnetic mount works depends on proper usage and understanding. These mounts require a steel surface, typically the roof of a vehicle, to function effectively. The vehicle’s roof acts as a ground plane, allowing for better signal reception and transmission. One advantage of using a magnetic mount is ease of installation and removal, making it ideal for rental cars or vehicles where permanent mounts are not wanted.
Mag mounts operate by utilizing the metal surface beneath them to create capacitance. This capacitance acts as an electrical connection, which is important for antenna performance. The mount itself forms one side of a capacitor while the vehicle’s roof constitutes the other side. Experts suggest that ground planes don’t have to be physically connected to your antenna. Some hams advocate adding a wire instead of relying on just the coupling effect. In most cases this has little or no effect.
(Image/K8MSH)
The surface area of the magnetic mount plays an important role in its effectiveness. Larger mounts provide greater capacitance, allowing for better performance across various frequencies. The Moonraker Turbo-38 seven-inch diameter mount (below) is a good example. You may have also seen their triple magnet mounts.
Moonraker Turbo-38 Magnetic Mount (Image/Moonraker)
To enhance the performance of magnetic mounts, consider using accessories like magnetic mats for increased capacitance and line isolators (chokes) to prevent RF interference. Magnetic mats, such as the Chelegance MAT-50, can improve the performance of your mobile antenna by providing a larger surface area for capacitance. Line isolators prevent unwanted RF currents from affecting your SWR measurements and tuning your screwdriver antenna. Snap-on Mix 31 ferrites or a 240-31 toroid installed on the feedline near the antenna will take care of these issues and make tuning much easier.
The MAT-50 from Chelegance adds more surface area for capacitance. A short tinned braid with a ring slips over a standard SO-239 connector on a mag mount or vehicle body mount, such as a Diamond K-400 Series Trunk/Hatchback Mount. (Image/K8MSH)
Tricks & Tips for Mag Mounts
Magnetic antennas are generally efficient, but you need to do a few things to get best performance. First and most important, clean the mounting area and the bottom of the magnet mount. Dirt, metal filings, and other crud can accumulate, causing damage to the paint and poor contact with the vehicle. Always check the feed cable for damage–and poor connections if you can get access to the inside without damaging the antenna.
Got aluminum? I have a friend who owns an Airstream trailer—it’s an awesome ground plane, but mag mounts obviously won’t attach. Stick-on steel disks are available to attach magnetic antenna mounts to aluminum bodies. Aluminum is a very good conductor and will couple capacitively.
Got fiberglass? You can create a ground plane under the fiberglass, but it’s an involved process and beyond the scope of this article. A better solution would be to use the steel disk mentioned above, along with a ½ wave antenna such as the Larsen NMO150C or Rugged Radios VHF-1/2W-SPR.
The Plane Truth
If ground losses are high, it doesn’t make much difference how good the antenna is because ground losses will be the largest factor in determining efficiency. If ground losses are low, the difference in efficiency between a poor antenna and a good one becomes very apparent. Comparing the signal strength of a 1/4 wave whip alone to one with a ground plane, signal strength may increase as much as 3 dB.
It pays to bond large surfaces like trunks, roofs, and hoods for better RF continuity.
All other things being equal, capacitors conduct better at higher frequencies and capacitance increases with the size of the plates. Applying this to a mag mount antenna installation, the following are generally true:
Antennas for VHF/UHF will perform better than those for HF, especially on 20m and above.
Antenna placement makes a difference.
For all antennas, it’s the metal mass directly under the antenna, not what’s alongside, that counts.
The weather couldn’t have been better for our outing — crisp, cool air with bright sunshine filtering through the trees. It was one of those perfect days where you feel lucky just to be outside, let alone playing radio with a great friend.
Our activation video below captures the entire activation from Vlado deploying the antenna, to setting up the radio gear and both of our activations.
Vlado kicked things off with his trusty Elecraft KX1 hooked up to an end-fed half-wave he built himself.
We stopped the video there to wrap up Part 1, but we weren’t quite finished yet. We switched to a different radio and kept the POTA fun going for a while longer — stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive into a new setup and share more of the adventure!
Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.
Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.
Price: 
