DEAN…..? YOU CAN DO IT!

Typing directly into the computer; that is how I activate for SOTA and POTA. ?It takes a little practice.? So anything you can do to automate things gives you more time to type.? The less time you spend fussing with the gear, the more time you can spend typing into the computer.

I don’t imagine the QRP-Fox pile-up can be much worse than being up on a needed or new summit or park.? This all assumes of course that you have some familiarity with your keyboard and can type with more than one finger.? The only difference between SOTA-POTA and QRP-FOXHUNT being that there is no time limit imposed on a SOTA-POTA activation, and I typically work a band until I cannot hear any more callers.? It isn’t over at 90-minutes, it is over when I want it to be over.? So I am careful to control the pile-up at my pace.? I am relaxed, there is no urgency to get anyone in the log before time is up.

HOW I DO IT:

I will pick out one call sign and type it into the computer, then reply to that station by reading it off the screen.? This is my cross-check.? If the reply does not correct me, I hit tab to enter signal reports.? If I copied it wrong or typed it wrong, I’ll repeat it wrong when I read it back and hopefully get an immediate correction on the spot.? I have the logging program TAB sequence set for very fast input, but the TAB order for SOTA-POTA would be different than for QRP-FOX.

THINGS THAT HELP:

My main QRP-portable station is rather unique in that it is mostly wireless.? The radio needs a power connection and an antenna connection, nothing more unless I do Morse Code.? I begin by enabling a Wi-Fi hotspot.? The radio, an Icom IC-705, has a Wi-Fi connection.? It automagically logs into the Wi-Fi.? The logging computer also automagically logs into the Wi-Fi.? ?The logging program pulls down the radio’s frequency and mode directly from the radio into the log.? If I also have a good cellular connection at the location the logging program will pull down the calling station data from QRZ and fill the blanks.

In addition, the radio also has a Blue-Tooth connection.? I have a Blue-Tooth headset, the kind most commonly used by truck drivers for cell phones.? It also connects to the radio via Blue-Tooth, and the call answer button on the headset works as a “push-on – push off” PTT button.? When using this headset I always get superb audio reports.? Using a proprietary ICOM program, I am also able to run FT8 wirelessly via the Wi-Fi connection.? That is, the computer and the radio work completely over the Wi-Fi, there is no wired connection.? I can literally set the radio out by the antenna while I sit in the vehicle and run it all from the computer.



The only “WIRED” connection I must have with the radio is the Morse Code paddle.? I tried building a Blue-Tooth interface to work with the IC-705 to do Morse Code without a cable between the key and the radio.? I ran into two problems.? I like to strap the Morse Code key to my left wrist.? There it is never in the way but always “right there”.? But in addition to the small key I also needed to add a blue-tooth transmitter and a battery, and it got kind of clumsy.? This, and the fact that the blue-tooth connection had too much latency when sending above 8-WPH caused me to abandon the idea.? With the key on my wrist, I only need to pull my left arm up to my chest, then reach across with my right hand to send.



This station is highly portable.? This is exactly how I have carried this gear through 9 states (soon to be 12 states) and 10 countries.? Over 150 SOTA summits, nearly 80 POTA-parks and well over 250 activations with about 15,000 portable contacts logged this way.



YOU CAN DO IT TOO !!!!!? Think it through.? Think of how you can ergonomically streamline your system so you pay less attention to the radio and can concentrate on typing.? Then practice it.? I recommend a little program called MORSE RUNNER.? You can set the parameters and even add in QRM and QRN.? To score it you must type in the call sign.? GREAT PRACTICE.

I will be happy to answer any questions or help in any way I can.?? If the subject drifts too far from the QRP-FOX, perhaps we could discuss it directly.

mike-2025@....

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Vy73 ?– ?Mike ?– ?KD5KC – WRFF851 – ?El Paso – Texas ?– ?DM61rt. ?

SOTA W5T-Texas Association Manager.

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The canyons are calling, colorful and deep. ?But I have promises to keep.

And miles to go still in my Jeep...? ?And miles to go still in my Jeep...

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ADVENTURE: ?The respectful pursuit of trouble.? ?

An EXIT is really an ENTRANCE to someplace new. ?

It isn’t an ADVENTURE until something goes wrong!

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