First of all I like to operate outdoors. It's very relaxing, and I think a damn site better for me than sitting in the shack operating all day.
Over the years I have been doing POTA I believe it's greatly improved my operating skills. It's certainly forced me to learn CW. Keep in mind I only operate QRP when I'm portable. With QRP you either improve your skill level or you don't make many contacts. These skills also transfer over to operating QRO, so it's a win-win situation.
Why QRP? Well let's be honest here, any fool can go out and use 200w and make 100's of contacts using big rigs and heavy batteries. I prefer the opposite, small rigs and lightweight Bioenno batteries, items I can carry with no problem in a small rucksack. I also don't care if I make 10 contacts or 100 when I'm at a park, it's the fact I'm out relaxing in nature that matters to me.
QRP requires that you also have a good grasp of the daily propagation, and how it affects the various bands so it enhances your operating session. It's all part of the bigger learning package.
And finally, it's my hobby and I do it my way. The only person I have to please is me. It's ok by me if you don't want to read about my adventures.
For many years after I left the Air Force I suffered with huge Anxiety Attacks, a form of PTSD. Nothing helped me, and for a long time I was in a pretty dark place. Then I found POTA and threw myself into it hoping it would give me something different to think about, trips to plan, and something to look forward to other than staring at four walls in the house. It has worked, I very rarely suffer through an anxiety attack since I started doing POTA.........That's why I do it.
Count me in as one who very much enjoys reading your posts. I was very much into outdoor ops with my KX3, K2 and KX1. Back then POTA and so on were not a thing but as you mentioned just getting outdoors was great. We each have our slice of Amateur radio pie. Some may think theirs tastes the best but in my eyes the important thing is we each get a hoot out of what every part of radio floats our boat. To those who question how I operate my answer is "whatever".
ReplyDeleteKeep up the posting as I for one like sipping my brew and reading your adventures.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Thanks for your kind comments Mike. I appreciate it. de Bill VE3FI
DeleteI enjoy your posts too; keep them coming. I got into outdoor operating long before POTA started. I love the great outdoors and I love radio so the two go together well. Even at home I prefer to operate from the backyard. I got into POTA as a way to get more QSOs. For years I would send generic CQs and get no replies. Now I can almost guarantee to get contacts every time. I prefer QRP because of the lightweight gear but I not averse to pushing out 20-30 watts when conditions are not good.
ReplyDeleteJohn VA3KOT
Thanks John, I appreciate your comments, de Bill VE3FI
DeleteHello Bill, I like to read you posts. It fun to read how you do things and what contacts you made. I try to chase POTA as much as I can but propagation lately is not that good. Have been doing some WWFF and COTA activations in the past, almost the same as POTA. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the real reason you're going out and do what you do with the hobby. 73, Bas PE4BAS
ReplyDeleteHi Bas, Thank you very much for your comments, much appreciated!!
DeleteHi Bill, reaching you from SV land and I like to read your posts even that I never doing pota, keep going enjoy the hobby. 73
ReplyDeleteThank You for your kind comment, and thanks for visiting the Blog!! de Bill VE3FI
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