Spring Tune UP

Thanks to John K6GUK and Gary N6BLU, my QRP POTA rig finally stands a chance. What I learned in a couple of hours at the park with them is huge.

Fellows, you’re amazing. I sponged up a bunch of pearls, so here’s the gratitude list.

I loved seeing the MFJ antenna analyzer in action. This really upped my confidence in the Xiegu x6100 onboard metering.

The issues with radials and feed line chokes? On it. I re-read some of the antenna docs and one suggestion they make is using a ground spike in the radial field (wired to the ring on the antenna stand.)

Gary, the fact you could look at your equipment / reference antenna and tell us how out of whack I was on the other gear? That’s just twitchy sharp. Big respect.

Those settings for the mic and viewing the screen, are on the table – known fixes. I’ll also figure out how to record a voice beacon. They say they update the radio software to “make it easier…” But really,

And me fumbling with Ham2k — I’m sure I’d have gotten there, but getting a shove from you John, was immensely helpful. I’ve begun to think my hearing gets in the way… 

I posted previously on my work with the QRP Xiegu X6100 radio, and as a result of the time John and Gary invested with me, I’m much closer to being set up “as good as it can get.”

I really appreciate members of CCRC – Who devote time and energy, loaning their expertise to assisting another in the field. Seriously. “Elmering” knuckleheads like me with such graciousness is a gift to our community.