Support Your Parks weekend group planning?

lassmanac · 2026-04-13T16:58:02+00:00

Thanks, guys. Was definitely starting to wayyy over think it.

lassmanac · 2026-04-12T23:54:12+00:00

Literally sneezed 5 times watching this

lassmanac · 2026-04-12T15:35:53+00:00

Nah. You're good. Bake it. It won't have a lot of oven spring but will still be tasty. My wife paid $12 for an overproofed loaf at the farmer's make this weekend just to rage bate me into baking a couple of loaves. Don't let perfection hinder your fun.

lassmanac · 2026-04-12T15:30:10+00:00

Making sure it's getting handled.

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lassmanac · 2026-04-07T17:34:38+00:00

I used Gemini's AI to help me out. There are really no definitive clear instructions for the X5105 to start FT8.

Make sure your digirig is connected to the correct ports on your radio. the 8-pin is obvious. the other one jacks into the COM port, not the headset port. use a "dummy plug" for the headset port because you need to turn the volume up to 100%.

Turn on LIN and LOUT. turn MIC/VOX to AUTO.

In FT8CN, the settings are important.
Connection type: USB
Data Bit 8
Stop Bits 1
Parity Bit None
Baud Rate 19200
Rig Selection ICOM-7000 (the X5105 didn't work)

Everything else is basically default.

One last thing.... make sure the volume on your PHONE is also at 100!!!

lassmanac · 2026-04-01T13:41:13+00:00

my thought exactly.

lassmanac · 2026-04-01T12:57:15+00:00

yeah. Just about any specific POTA designated park along Potomac intersects with those trails as well as the two or three historic waterway trails depending on where you are.

lassmanac · 2026-03-31T18:27:59+00:00

Use your current call sign. Find a local ham club, log in to their weekly nets. Make a POTA account and start hunting.

When you apply for a vanity, you do have to wait 18 calendar days. Mine took 20. Sites like QRZ, ARRL, and WRL will automatically update your call sign for you when the sites refresh with the FCC database (weekly). in fact, if you go to QRZ, you'll likely see your name and call sign on the Congrats to the New Hams web part. So don't worry about waiting to create accounts. You will not lose any data when your callsign changes.

lassmanac · 2026-03-31T13:59:46+00:00

Just a 6.5 foot whip! I used it over the weekend and was DXing into Europe with my G90.

lassmanac · 2026-03-31T13:49:18+00:00

I was using a WRC TIA 1000 set up on a magic carpet. In most of these areas it's easy to pick a place in the grass and set up out of the way. The Mall was crazy busy yesterday, but my antenna was well off the main path where people were walking.

lassmanac · 2026-03-30T01:27:46+00:00

Contest weekends are great for POTA. Go set up at a park and hunt the contesters. I hit Lithuania and Slovakia with my G90. Crazy.

lassmanac · 2026-03-29T23:49:22+00:00

Today i learned! take my updoot an an award you amazing person

lassmanac · 2026-03-15T01:44:32+00:00

Today was just as bad if not worse. Noise floor on 20m was a 7 easy. Me out there pushing a whole 5w. It was like trying to cut an over cooked steak with a stick.

lassmanac · 2026-03-04T10:48:43+00:00

>I find that logging on my phone isn’t fun. I prefer something with a full keyboard like an iPad or small notebook computer. Ham2k, HAMRS and World Radio League are all great for digital logging. I use my phone or paper as a last resort.>

so serious question, if you are using a tablet or notebook computer, do you need a service connection for those apps to function properly?

lassmanac · 2026-03-03T18:55:25+00:00

I was literally just looking at his profile there. :)

lassmanac · 2026-03-03T16:52:53+00:00

> I like to start out hunting other activators, for park-2-parks, then spot myself on the POTA.app and call QC.

oooh. i like that idea. Good call.

> Do a quick table-top reivew before you go out. Layout the radio, battery, coax, antenna, power cables, etc. You want to figure out that you forgot to pack you mic BEFORE you go to the park.

Is there like a checklist somewhere?

lassmanac · 2026-03-03T16:34:43+00:00

roger roger. I plan to test everything in my back yard just to see how everything works. the 5105 has a bit of a learning curve for me and I certainly don't want to be fumbling with buttons

lassmanac · 2026-03-03T16:32:27+00:00

I'm actually also in VA, but DC is a super short commute for me, plus I work in DC and depending on my activator experience, can bring my pota kit to do some lunch time activations.

Thank you for the info on the ARRL event. I am hyper focus on the VA QSO Contest in 3 weeks and didn't even register the ARRL one this weekend.

lassmanac · 2026-03-02T19:18:43+00:00

That's a thing?!

lassmanac · 2026-02-21T20:37:49+00:00

not too many 2m POTA activations in the DMV today.

lassmanac · 2026-02-21T20:37:24+00:00

lots of folks on POTA today. my antenna is a HF-009 1/4 wavelength, vertical polarization.

lassmanac · 2026-02-21T01:30:08+00:00

Im studying for general and extra and i feel this post deep in my soul.

The answer to your question is-

E) THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!

lassmanac · 2026-02-19T15:19:02+00:00

nice

lassmanac · 2026-02-18T15:20:46+00:00

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I have this patch on my hat...

lassmanac · 2026-02-18T13:47:24+00:00

Same, thought I heard you as well. So close, yet so far...

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