The Crystal River area of west-central Florida contains several POTA sites within a small area. Crystal River Preserve State Park is my favorite for activations due to the covered picnic table and proximity to manatee-rich waterways.
Kayaks can be rented at the park but my purpose today was to exercise the QMX+ on the high bands and the bands did not disappoint. Contacts were made on all 5 bands 10-20 meters, including a good amount of EU DX and one station in Chile.
Several people have told me that previous videos that include text overlays of the callsigns being heard are helpful so I've included those in the video below. CW speed of myself and most callers is around 22 wpm.
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John, I also run POTA with 2 QMX's & QMX+. Use MFJ 1759 too. Your counterpoise? I power all my QRP rigs from 20,000mah USB-C power sources via 12V Trigger sources. VERY happy with power arrangement! 73, catch you on the air. Rick K8BMA
ReplyDeleteHi Rick, I'm using the MFJ-1979 with two 1/4-wave (on 20m) radials attached to the base of the antenna. I included that info in the video but somehow deleted it from the final cut. It is a magnetic base that I put on top of the car. I drilled into it (the plastic housing) so that I could attach a bolt that makes contact with the actual metal that makes up the base & I attach the radials, with alligator clips, to the bolt.
DeleteInteresting power source you have there. A lot of people probably still think that USB-C is always 5V. Not so!
73,
John
Congrats John. I am using my QMX for portable as same as for home operation and I am happy with it. How it performs for you please? 73 - Petr, OK1RP
ReplyDeleteHello Petr, I like the radio quite a bit - the latest firmware did a lot to make it a much better CW rig. One thing I wish it had (maybe for the QSX, Hans?) is a band up/down switch so that we wouldn't have to go all the way thru every band just to QSY to the next lower band. With so many bands being offered by the Plus model, this would really be a benefit.
DeleteMaybe I'll catch you on the air sometime, Petr - 73 for now,
John
For band up/down, I program presets for the main QRP frequencies. To switch bands in any order, I just recall the appropriate preset. Fast and convenient, and goes to the right frequency at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter - I'd forgotten about the preset menu. I'll set mine up today.
Delete73,
John