u/KhyberPasshole

Anybody else have this issue? I don't have the lone worker/man down function enabled, yet it randomly goes off every 5-30 minutes. This started several months months after my last firmware update, not immediately after the update. Reflashing the firmware and codeplug do not help.

Also having issues w/ channel names in the CPS showing up blank in the radio, as well as scan/zone lists not showing complete in the radio. But I've had those issues since day 1.

I'm about ready to chuck this thing and get a 5100.

Deets: 578UVIII Plus, Firmware V2.08, CPS V1.21

More specifically, the Burris Veracity 2.5-12x42 and the Vector Continental X6 2-12x44. Was curious about ya'lls experiences and thoughts on either one of these scopes. Mainly curious about the durability and glass quality because I hunt mostly dense, dark woods.

FWIW, the gun is an 18.5" .308 600 Mohawk. Most of my hunting is in the sub-100yd range, but I have some new areas this year that open up to 350-ish. It's currently wearing a Crossfire 3.5-10 that I don't particularly care for.

I'm currently running a not-so-new 15ah AGM battery, but it only gets me an hour or so of very casual use w/ the FTDX10 at 50w.

I've seen some people claim to run 100w and get 2-3 hours out of a single 20ah lifepo4, but that's hard for me to fathom unless my current battery is in worse shape than I think (also very likely).

I'd really like to see at least 2-3 hours of use per charge out of whatever I end up getting, preferably at 100w. Although I'm ok w/ running mostly at 50w if I need to.

I'm leaning toward a 2-pack of Eco-Worthy 20ah lifepo4's for $129 to see where that gets me, but my mind can be changed. I'm open to other brands as well, I just don't want to spend Bioenno money right now. Nor do I want to drag around a 100ah behemoth unless it's absolutely necessary.

So I spotted myself today on 12m SSB with the POTA web page spotter, and started calling CQ. About 2 minutes later, my spot updates and it now shows me as a 15m CW spot from RBN. So I re-spot myself w/ the correct info and go back to calling CQ.

A minute or 2 later, it changes again back to a 15m CW spot. So I re-spot myself correctly again, and it changes almost instantly to show me as a 20m CW spot in the FT8 portion of the band. It happens again a couple more times showing various bands, but always CW.

Keep in mind, this whole time I'm on 12m SSB.

I've never had this happen before. Is it caused by RBN decoding someone else's call wrong, or is it just some shit whistle messing with people?

I want to put together a small portable kit for digital modes. Probably gonna go with a QMX or QMX+ for the radio (or maybe an FX4CR).

I don't want to drag around a whole-ass laptop, so I'm looking for the smallest possible tablet or phone that can run the following:

• WSJTX
• JS8CALL
• WInlink
• VARA HF/VARA Chat
• Possibly VarAC

Ideally I'd like something rugged, since it would be used mostly for POTA/SOTA. But I would be ok with just sticking it in something like an Otterbox if I can find a smaller option than the FZ-M1.

The only thing that immediately comes to mind is the Panasonic FZ-M1, but I'd really like something smaller if possible. Any other suggestions? Would like to keep it under $300 or so.

I need to do some POTA activations on 80m as I work towards my N1CC, but I'm wholly unaware of what goes on down there.

What frequencies should I avoid activating on? I'm aware of 3.845 for SSTV. Are there any other "dedicated" freqs like that to watch out for?

Are there any 7.200/14.300-esque camping spots I need to steer clear of?

FWIW... I'll be operating SSB in the 3.8-4.0 general section of the band.

Thanks!

I struggle with learning languages. Pretty badly, and probably worst than most, to be honest.

I am a lifelong musician though, and I think I might have better luck with CW if there's some way for me to approach it from that angle. As an example of what I mean... I've never been able to read music, but playing by ear is easy peasy. I skated thru music lessons and recitals as a kid and teenager by listening to the other kids and the teacher play, and then figuring it out on my own.

Please don't take that as bragging btw, just stating that's how I learn music and hope there's some way for me to apply that concept to CW.

Also, I know the LICW reccs are incoming, but I can't really do that. Due to my odd and ever-changing schedule, I need self-paced options that I can work on whenever I randomly scrounge up some free time.

So TLDR, how should someone that's terrible with languages go about learning CW?

It's 2026, why do all antenna modeling programs still use ancient, user-unfriendly GUI's?

The latest EZnec looks like it was written in the 1980's. MMANA-GAL isn't terrible, but apparently isn't all that accurate either, and it has some bugs/quirks. 4nec2 might be the single most frustrating piece of software I've ever used. And none of them are even remotely intuitive to use.

Why can't we have a modern one that functions like a CAD program where the antenna is drawn out and modified in a 3d space? Seems like that should be the natural progression for antenna modeling software.

I could rant about it for hours, but I won't. Ya'll get the idea and I'd bet I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Thanks for letting me that off of my chest. Can one of you smart mofo's please do something about it?

EDIT: HOLY SHIT, the butt hurt around here is incredible. Ya'll need to lighten the fuck up, this post is mostly tongue in cheek. And I never once said a modernized antenna software should be free, ya'll put those words in my mouth.

Not exactly an amateur radio question, but there's a lot of POTA operators here so this seems like the best place to ask.

Most of my drive-up POTA spots have zero seating or overhead cover, and I end up operating from a camping chair with my radio on the tailgate of my truck. I currently only have a REI Half Dome tarp, and it's a massive pain to set up for an hour long activation.

I'm looking for a simple umbrella or sunshade that doesn't require a bunch of fuss or a web of guy ropes to set up. I also don't want to drag around a 50lb umbrella base. Ideally, I'd like something relatively lightweight that I could bungee to my truck or my chair.

Pic below included for an idea of my normal setup:

https://preview.redd.it/abawz13fo2bh1.jpg?width=1486&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0392f4d95704a611a2ab333261db45173970fca

It seems that a trucking company or pilot car company or something has taken over 144.200 on FM.

SSB is all but impossible w/ these clowns using it for their convoy.

I'm working on a portable mini QRP rig, and I need a decently strong antenna wire in the 22awg-26awg ballpark that offers a hi-viz color option.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a direct Poly-Stealth clone, but I need something stronger than the BNTECHGO silicone wire that everyone seems to like.

DX Engineering had a hi-viz 26awg that was comparable to Poly-Stealth a few years ago that I really liked, but they only carry black now.

My google-fu is failing me and I can't find anything else roughly equivalent to Poly-Stealth, strength-wise. What wire would ya'll recommend for a compact SOTA-style QRP antenna?

I'm dying to get a radio for VHF/UHF SSB, hopefully in time for the VHF contest next month.

I've considered all the usual suspects, both vintage and modern, and I'm starting to think that for the $$ and potential risk/hassle of buying used vintage gear, it might make sense to just spend a little more and get a 7100. That gives me 6m/2m/70cm SSB right out of the box, and 10m + a transverter would get me other bands in the future. It would live in my shack as my main repeater rig when I'm not using it in the field, and also doubles as a backup HF rig.

Tell me why I'm wrong or what I'm missing, because unless the the 7100 sucks on 2m/70cm, I'm not really seeing a downside.