The TSA & POTA Batteries

On a recent trip to Montana, I decided to take my portable POTA activation backpack. This kit has everything I need to do an activation.

One of the biggest equipment challenges was the battery. When at home, I use a 20 or 30Ah lithium iron (LiFePO4) battery in my battery boxes. I also have a non-boxed 10Ah LiFePO4 battery I use when I go super lightweight.

I have avoided using the popular Bioenno batteries because of their high cost (a 12Ah battery costs $157).

Instead, I use the Eco-Worthy LiFePO4 line of batteries. They are rugged, reliable, small, amazingly lightweight, and affordable. I have been using them for years without a single problem.

When planning my trip, I discovered the TSA has changed the rules on the lithium batteries you can carry onboard an aircraft. Passengers are now limited to a maximum of 100Wh per battery.

Continue reading “The TSA & POTA Batteries”

Parks on the Air (POTA) Brochure

I spend a lot of time in parks. Some of them are very crowded.

It is very hard for the public to resist asking, “What is that very long wire hanging from that very long pole attached to your truck?”

As often as I can, I pause my POTA activation long enough to answer their questions and tell them about Ham radio and POTA. Quite often, I give out a QSL card with my name and phone number in case they have follow-up questions.

I finally got around to writing a POTA brochure to hand out in the field. It is a tri-fold that is easy to transport and store in my power box.

You can download a copy here if you want to explore the layout.

Leave a comment if you would like me to Email you the document template so you can create your own.

POTA On!

73,
N1SPW

The Seven Virtues of Parks on the Air (POTA)

A while ago I submitted an article idea to the QST Magazine editors at the ARRL. It described the seven virtues of the POTA program.

A short time later I received an Email from them advising me they did not think my submission was worthy of publication in their magazine.

Of course, I was disappointed, but not surprised. Rejection is a common theme among writers.

Instead of abandoning the piece on my archive server, I share it with you here.

I am very passionate about the POTA program. It has brought me great joy and many fun challenges. I wrote the piece to thank all of the folks that saved the program and continue to run it today.

73
N1SPW

July 2025 ARRL Board Meeting Minutes

I try hard to steer away from discussions involving controversies. I must say, however, I closely monitor the operations of the ARRL. I also admit – it was very hard for me to send in my renewal dues this year. The ARRL has some serious issues that need to be fixed.

In the August 20,2025 issue of the ARES letter was a very interesting quote:

“At the Board meeting, ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, opined on the state of ARES. He noted that the number one area of negative feedback he receives from the field is that ARES is broken. He expressed his desire for ARES to be rebuilt from the ground up.”

Since the quote refers to the July 2025 ARRL Board Meeting Minutes, I had to take a look. Sure enough, that quote is on the top of page 6.

The quote originated from a Q&A discussion during a break. What I find so interesting about this quote, is that it made it into the minutes at all.

Continue reading “July 2025 ARRL Board Meeting Minutes”

Winlink-Express – Digirig – Windows ‘How-To’

I have added another document to the N1SPW “How-To” series:
Winlink-Express – Digirig – Windows ‘How-To‘

This one shows you how to build a Winlink-Express client using a Digirig.

I do not follow the masses and use SoundModem software.  I find it to be too complicated to configure for new users, and overkill for what we need. Instead, I show you how to use Direwolf as your TNC.

My “How-To’s” are specifically written for the new Ham and/or non-techies.

Have some fun and build a Winlink-Express client station.

73,
N1SPW

Powering a Pi in the Field

Many Hams have abandoned including a Raspberry Pi in their field Go-Kits.

There are a couple of reasons for this:
1) Pi’s are expensive relative to other options.
2) Pi’s have a reputation for being power hungry and running hot.
3) Pi’s run on 5V making them a pain to power in a 12V Ham world.

I am still a fanboy of the Pi for EmComm use. Why?

First, they are small and reliable. Second, they are also extremely flexible since they run a version of the Debian Linux OS. Finally, since they run on 5V DC, it is easy to keep them powered for very long stretches of time.

I solved the Pi field power problem with one of these:

This is step-down transformer that converts an input of 10-32V DC to a clean 5V. Plus each USB port provides up to 3A. Perfect for a Pi. You can buy two of these devices on Amazon for less than $20.

All you need to do is terminate the ends with PowerPole or XT-60 connectors and you are good to go.

These are not only great for a Pi, you can use them to power/ charge any mobile device that runs on 5V.

73,
N1SPW

PAT-Winlink – Digirig – Pi ‘How-To’

I have added another document to the N1SPW “How-To” series:
PAT-Winlink – Digirig – Pi ‘How-To’

This one shows you how to build a Raspberry Pi based PAT-Winlink client.
PAT-Winlink is an open source Winlink client that runs in a web browser.

If you follow the steps in this “How-To”, you will have an SDCard that will run on any late model Pi (3/4/5). When the Pi boots, with one mouse click you will have a working Winlink client station.

My “How-To’s” are specifically written for the new Ham and/or non-techies.

Have some fun and build a working Pi Winlink client from scratch.

73,
N1SPW

Why I Buy Yaesu Radios

Those that know me are quite aware I prefer Yaesu radios. Let me tell you why. (I own a FT-991A, FT-891, FT-450D, FT-817ND, 3 – VX-6’s, and a FT-60).

I recently purchased the FT-450D at the Big Bear HamEscape swap meet. The radio appeared to be in prime shape – but you never know. The seller told me the radio was gently used and spent most if its life in an EOC, in a drawer.

When I got home, I determined the radio worked just great. Really nice unit. The only thing I noticed, was the headphone jack volume appeared to be a little low.

The Yaesu North America repair center is in Orange County (Cypress), CA where I live. Since the FT-450D was such a bargain, I dropped the radio off at the repair facility for a “Health-Check.”

About a week later, I got a call from the Yaesu technician. He told me he analyzed the radio and confirmed it was in fine shape. He said the radio was within factory specs, including both the speaker and headphone jack volumes.

I told him I would pick the unit up at “Will-Call”, and asked him how much I owed him. He said, “There is no charge mate, if we do not have to repair it.” He also said he would be glad to ship the unit to the house at no charge to save me the trip back to Cypress.

Wow!

I had a similar experience about three years ago. At a local club swap meet, I purchased a VX-6 H/T. It looked “well-used” and the battery was dead. I could not power it on to test it. The seller told me the unit worked fine.

When I got home and plugged the H/T in to a charger, to my horror, I discovered the LCD display was scrambled eggs. Buyer beware.

I took the H/T to Yaesu to get a repair estimate. The H/T has a manufacture date of 2015 – so it is pretty old. Yaesu replaced the LCD, updated the firmware, and ensured the unit was operating within factory specs. Repair cost? Less than $40 USD. I installed a new battery, and added the H/T to my EmComm inventory. It works great.

This level of service is mighty rare in our modern world. Especially in the tech industry. It is important to note, however, this commitment to customer service pays off in customer loyalty.

After the above two experiences, do you think the next time I decide to purchase a radio I would consider any other?

Cheers to you Yaesu!

73,
N1SPW

Baker To Vegas Communications

In a previous post, I talked about the experience of being on a comms support team for the Orange PD in the 2025 Baker-To-Vegas (B2V) Challenge Cup Relay. In this post, let’s take a look at how we implemented a new comms methodology.

A B2V support team provides the following functions:
1) Communications command center – Usually a hotel room in Pahrump or Las Vegas.
2) Follow vehicle (FV) – This vehicle follows the runners across the desert.
3) Leap-Frog (LF) vehicle – This vehicle supports the runner transition at each checkpoint.
4) Catcher – This is an individual in the LF vehicle that manages the runner transition at each checkpoint.
5) Shuttle vehicles (SV) – Vehicles that move support personnel around the race course.

One of the great challenges in the B2V race is meeting the communications requirements of each support function. There are seven comm requirements:
1) Communications base to all support personnel.
2) FV to LF and command center.
3) LF to FV and catcher.
4) Catcher to LF.
5) SV to FV, LF, and command center.
6) Internet access for everyone.
7) Mobile phone comms for everyone.

Continue reading “Baker To Vegas Communications”