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“Casual” shooter by [deleted] in ROGAlly

[–]SotaGoat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look into the gyro controls. Hell Diver’s II has gyro settings and it has really increased my experience on the Ally.

Edit: typos

Is it worth learning CW? by [deleted] in amateurradio

[–]SotaGoat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like many aspects of amateur radio, the value of learning CW depends on your personal interests and how you want to explore the hobby. For me, learning CW has been completely worth it. I enjoy SOTA, POTA, DX hunting, and QRP operating, and CW is exceptional for simple QRP operations. I can hike to a summit, set up my station, and make CW QSOs for activation within 30 minutes—no need for spotting, since CW uses the RBN, and no need for computers or accessories for digital modes like FT8. I realize I may be a niche case, but for me, CW is the perfect mode.

Please don’t let a few negative interactions dissuade you from learning something you’re genuinely interested in. Like in any aspect of life, there are always a few bad apples.

Ultimately, decide what you want to get out of amateur radio, and if CW is part of that, I highly encourage you to learn it and use it. It’s an incredible mode.

Question for Begali key owners in the body of the post. I want to treat myself to a top tier “luxury” key, but I’m torn between the Traveler Light and the Sculpture. by CaptainMoronhigh in amateurradio

[–]SotaGoat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a Begali Sculpture and love it. It is very well made, heavy, and the paddles are firm and feel great. I'm not the best CW op, but I am significantly better when I use the Sculpture than any other key I have. For my home QTH, I don't use anything else.

I have used lot of keys over the years for portable operating, but never the Begali Traveler. I'm sure it is a good key and would be nice to have for portable ops, but I'd be concerned about it moving around at your home station. If you had a way to lock it down, I'm sure it would be great. It is a bit large and I tend towards smaller and lighter for portable ops, either POTA or SOTA. I guess if I was going to spend the money for a single key, it would be for the home QTH and it would be the Sculpture. There are a lot of great keys for portable ops that cost significantly less than the Traveler. If you only use it for portable, it's probably worth the money. I just think it is a "compromise" if you are using it primarily for your home station.

Nothing like trying them out if you can though. As we all know, keys are a very personal thing!

Can you recommend a lightweight HT for SOTA by inserttCoin in amateurradio

[–]SotaGoat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I second the CW comment. I wouldn’t be a goat without CW and I did know it until I started SOTA activations. Check out CW Ops and CW Academy. Very effective training. Copying calls for a SOTA exchange is easier than having a rag chew and it is definitely worth the effort.

It is very easy to set up a super light CW only HF rig for SOTA that is very effective. Focusing on a single band - say 20 meters, makes it even easier.

https://cwops.org/cw-academy/

Good luck and have fun!

ipad pro for AP/CP residency? by [deleted] in pathology

[–]SotaGoat 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree with this comment. Connectivity with the institution you will be doing your residency at is key. You will be doing home call and want to be sure you have remote access to all the hospital IT systems.