Parks On The Air (POTA) with my QMX (#133) has found a 100% activation success rate using a simple wire antenna that tunes 40M and 20M with the aid of the 4 State Tuner. 18 gauge speaker wire with one side 15 meters and the other side 7 meters is tied in an electricians knot at the center and then 10 meters is left together zip cord style terminating with banana plugs. This plugs directly into the 4 State Tuner without the need of a balun. I throw the ends into trees and support the center with a Jackite telescoping pole up 32 feet that just conveniently leans into the overhead tree foliage. I have now activated over 20 parks with this setup using a QMX and full voltage 13.8v LiFePO4 battery. Everything fits into a small box and when carrying my pole it looks like I'm going fishing!
Interestingly, the AGC issue caused me to briefly switch to using the QCX-Mini, but the non-resonant antenna has a buzzy side tone with the QCX-mini that the beautifully shaped CW envelope in the SDR QMX totally eliminates! So I just very quickly turn down the volume when a loud station follows a faint one. Signals from all across the USA come in loud and clear. Thank You Hans for the perfect POTA machine. 72, Sandy KB3EOF
