Learning Morse Code

First CW Contacts

My first CW contacts in the log.

Brian K6ABR

Nov 26, 2023 — 1 min read

I’ve got CW contacts in the log.

I left the house this morning planning to try my first CW operation at Chino Hills State Park (POTA park K-1139). The thought was that any POTA traffic I successfully hunted would also count as a P2P, even if I wasn’t able to complete the park activation on my end.

Instead, I arrived at the park to find the wind too strong to use the tripod for my vertical antenna and the ground too hard to use the antenna spike. After driving around for a bit looking for a suitable setup location, I gave up and drove to a nearby Regional Park to operate from.

After a few failed contacts, I was able to complete contacts with POTA Activators KJ7RPL, K7MSO, and W7MTB. Thank you for the contacts, gentlemen! I appreciate you putting up with my clumsy keying!

POTA from California to Europe

Another quick activation at Chino Hills State Park, featuring a contact with Europe.

Chino Hills State Park POTA 9/7/24

A fast early activation at Chino Hills State Park.

Activating San Bernardino National Forest 8/31/24

A quick trip up to the mountains near Big Bear, CA while scouting camping spots allowed for another activation of San Bernardino National Forest US-4463. I had planned to use a throw line through the tree branches, but ended up forgetting the line and weight, leaving me to use the

The KM4CFT CFT-1 QRP Transceiver Build

Documenting the build of a CFT-1 QRP CW Transceiver and it's first field use in a POTA activation at Chino Hills State Park.

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POTA from California to Europe

Chino Hills State Park POTA 9/7/24

Activating San Bernardino National Forest 8/31/24

The KM4CFT CFT-1 QRP Transceiver Build