Category: Red Summit RF

As winter sets in, some amateur radio operators prefer hibernation in the Ham Shack over getting out in the cold. Others embrace the winter adventure and find ways to continue operating in the field. Sandy and I enjoy hiking in snow and cold, and we participate in Summits on the Air (SOTA) throughout the winter. In Arizona temperatures are mild in the Sonoran desert so we travel to northern Arizona to hike summits there – in the snow and cold. It’s partly for the adventure and challenge, and partly for the bonus points we earn in the SOTA program.

In this video we go on a 4 mile hike to the top of Woody Mountain W7A/AE-037. This summit is also within the Coconino National Forest and therefore counts as a Parks on the Air activation. We get to the top, deploy our antenna, and share the radio as we talk to people coast to coast.

My Snow Boots: https://amzn.to/3jF98Nd
My Snow Pants: https://amzn.to/3vtiHBi
My Top Base Layer: https://amzn.to/3vtiHBi
My Bottom Base Layer: https://amzn.to/3GuNCUd
My Pack – Gregory Zulu 30 https://amzn.to/3YY4tWF

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

The Superstition Amateur Radio club celebrates 40 years hosting the Arizona Superfest, a ham radio enthusiast gathering. Most hamfests include raffles, a flea market, presentations, license examinations, and special interest activities and events.

Superstition Amateur Radio Club in Arizona: https://superstitionarc.org/

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#MNHR #HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

The Polar Bear QRP Club hosts a monthly event in the winter called the Polar Bear Moonlight Madness event (PBMME). On the Saturday closest to each winter full moon, members of this club get out in the field and try to make contact with each other. This group existed prior to Summits on the Air and Parks on the Air. Now, members of this club often combine a SOTA/POTA excursion with the PBMME. You’ll know you have a fellow Polar Bear on the other end if you hear the familiar GRRR, usually sent via Morse code.

Polar Bear Groups Dot IO site: https://groups.io/g/PolarBearQRPOps

For this expedition I am in a POTA park, on a SOTA summit, during the PBMME. I hike to the top of Apache Gap within the Tonto National Forest. I take along an MFJ QRPocket Tuner and a homebrew random wire antenna with my Yaesu FT-817.

MFJ QRPocket Tuner: https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-9201
SOTA Baseball Cap: https://sota-shop.co.uk/products.php?cat=11
2 Meter/440 J-Pole: https://n9taxlabs.com/
Protective Pouches/Bags: https://amzn.to/3G4aY2E
Magic Rabbit Morse Code Key: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174954025323?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=PvoEejvjRJ6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=sAgZt_RCQXG&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

For most of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of winter and ham radio is the Winter Field Day contest. For those of us who enjoy operating our ham radio in the field year round, winter brings with it several other events that are not as well known. For example, the Arizona ScQRPions, a QRP ham radio club, hosts the FYBO contest every year. This event is a QRP contest with very interesting multipliers and exchanges that include your cold weather conditions.

Mike K7DD from the Arizona ScQRPions is the man in charge of this contest and joins us to talk about it. So if you think you have what it takes to operate ham radio while Freezing Your Butt Off (FYBO) then join us to hear how you can participate.

Arizona ScQRPions: https://qrpcontest.com/FYBO

ALSO!!!! Tim N7KOM from N7KOM Mountaintop Portable Radio will be joining us as a special co-host to talk about what it takes to tackle some serous winter ham radio expeditions. His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/@N7KOM

Join us as we talk about how YOU can participate in Winter Portable Ops outings in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone “AP/DZ”. Every aspect of Portable Ops is explored in this biweekly live stream as we discuss news, gear, achievements, the workbench, contests, awards and more – find all Portable Ops related topics here.

Twitter:
Charlie NJ7V @NJ7V_
Dan KC7MSU @KC7MSU
Brian W7JET @BBW7JET

Help support this channel – buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com
Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#APDZ #SOTA #PortableOps #HamRadio

The Begali Adventure Duel-Lever Key is manufactured in Italy by the Begali family. This is top tier paddle created with the best parts and craft in the business. I barrowed this key from my friend rather than purchasing my own – thanks to John KJ7IGZ. For this paddle and all the others in the series, I took it in the field multiple times and put it under rigorous testing. Here are my thoughts about its performance.

Begali Keys: https://www.i2rtf.com/
Bruna Begali Interview: https://youtu.be/8aDwIbJFHoM

This "paddle feature" is one in a series of videos about PORTABLE CW KEYS called "Portable Morse Code Paddles". I hope you enjoy this feature and come back for more!

Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF
TikTok: RedSummitRF

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#CW #HamRadio #MorseCode #SOTA #PortableRadio

Kyle AA0Z went on a SOTA/POTA rove a few weeks ago. After the excursion he said that as a new SOTA operator, there were a ton of things that he either forgot, left in the car or didn’t even realize he needed when he got up to the top of the summit to activate. In this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone we talk to Kyle about his experiences and he will share some of my experiences of what I learned and what he’s going to do next time. he operates SOTA and POTA.

Kyle’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@AA0Z

Join us as we talk about how YOU can improve your SOTA outings in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone “AP/DZ”. Every aspect of Portable Ops is explored in this biweekly live stream as we discuss news, gear, achievements, the workbench, contests, awards and more – find all Portable Ops related topics here.

Twitter:
Charlie NJ7V @NJ7V_
Dan KC7MSU @KC7MSU
Brian W7JET @BBW7JET

Help support this channel – buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com
Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#APDZ #SOTA #PortableOps #HamRadio

Having completed a 5-band linked dipole that includes the 10 meter band, it was time to take it to the field for testing. This antenna is compact and light compared to other dipoles I have made, with 26 AWG wire, RG-174 coax, and tine 2 mm banana plugs.

This excursion was to a Summits on the Air peak called Blackjack Point. I use the antenna as well as a homebrew Morse code pressure paddle. This mid-November out was beautiful, with a light breeze and temperature in the low 70s F.

Parts
2.0 mm Banana Plugs: https://amzn.to/3u0AuPz
No 26 Poly-Stealth Antenna Wire: https://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/category-s/218.htm
PCB Board: https://amzn.to/3U6hoSL
Heat Shrink: https://amzn.to/3AMW6mt
Carabiner Clip: https://amzn.to/3EGOrHd
Cutting Board: https://amzn.to/3VbADf2

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

Having completed a 5-band linked dipole that includes the 10 meter band, it was time to take it to the field for testing. This antenna is compact and light compared to other dipoles I have made, with 26 AWG wire, RG-174 coax, and tine 2 mm banana plugs.

This excursion was to a Summits on the Air peak called Blackjack Point. I use the antenna as well as a homebrew Morse code pressure paddle. This mid-November out was beautiful, with a light breeze and temperature in the low 70s F.

Parts
2.0 mm Banana Plugs: https://amzn.to/3u0AuPz
No 26 Poly-Stealth Antenna Wire: https://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/category-s/218.htm
PCB Board: https://amzn.to/3U6hoSL
Heat Shrink: https://amzn.to/3AMW6mt
Carabiner Clip: https://amzn.to/3EGOrHd
Cutting Board: https://amzn.to/3VbADf2

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

A change of plans is all part of the adventure. The weekend of this video Arizona received an early snow storm. I knew there might be a little snow but there was way more than anticipated. I hike up to a 10 point summit for Summits on the Air, Baker Butte, and activate it in the snow and cold.

I brought along a homebrew pressure paddle to do a field test with it. It worked ok but I may need to adjust it a little bit for better performance.

TikTok: RedSummitRF
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF

Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

Help support this channel – buy me a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com/

#HamRadio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio

I was first introduced to Glenn W4YES in a Morse code class for youth offered by the Long Island CW Club. Getting to know him, I realize he is doing a lot of innovative things to make Morse code learning easier. If you visit his website at https://w4yes.com you’ll see that he promotes the Instant Character Recognition approach to learning Morse code. I am also very impressed with a collaboration project he is working on, where he and his collogue are developing an online learning site called Word List Trainer. This site is extremely helpful to Morse code students.

Join us as we talk about how YOU can improve how you learn Morse code in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone “AP/DZ”. Every aspect of Portable Ops is explored in this biweekly live stream as we discuss news, gear, achievements, the workbench, contests, awards and more – find all Portable Ops related topics here.

Twitter:
Charlie NJ7V @NJ7V_
Dan KC7MSU @KC7MSU
Brian W7JET @BBW7JET

Help support this channel – buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
Donate https://www.patreon.com/redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker https://redsummitrf.blogspot.com
Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#APDZ #SOTA #PortableOps #HamRadio