Can you do QRP POTA with a Hamstick?

Do you need a big station for POTA? Not really, you can do it with a QRP rig and a hamstick if you'd like. I can bet that you'd get the activation done nine out of ten times.

For this activation I used a Xiegu X6100, an Ampro 20m hamstick and a magmount. You don't need any more equipment to get the job done!

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[henrygblq]

I’ve used the 20m Hamstick on my car with a mag mount and an FT-817 with 5 watts CW for a POTA activation and had calls from as far away as Alaska. I love the simplicity 😀

[MikeNMAK]

Fine job, Morten. Hamsticks can be very useful, whether it's a quick activation, limited space to setup, bad weather, a backup antenna, etc. Everything is a compromise with ham radio, so it's always good to have options. 73, N2MAK

[markjob]

Awesome job, I love hamsticks, I made an aluminum cross so I can use 4 bands, the center of the cross is held together with a 3/8 x 24 bolt that screws into the tri mag mount, it works very well. Great video. KE0IBA.

[herrwingnut]

Now I have to try this!!!! Thanks for video !

[oscorpiono]

I've had great success with the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 with CAP HAT, from Ireland I've made contacts on 20m to North/South America, all over Europe, and into Australia 100 Watts. I never really tried QRP with it, just 4 radials.

The MPAS 2.0 is very easy set up but with the CAP HAT it does make it a little less portable, suppose you can work without the cap hat but I've been very impressed with it on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m.

I have it on the front lawn most of the time except when working portable and have it connected to my 891 in the sitting room, I use noalox on all the joints to stop them seizing.

Another antenna I had good success with is the MFJ-935C loop tuner. With just 4 meters of 10mm copper pipe bent into a loop I can make it to North America, again, from Ireland, with 20 watts, mostly use it at home sitting on a patio table. The loop will handle 100 Watts no problem, and I make plenty of contacts with a much smaller loop on 17 and 10m.

You need to make different size loops for different bands but it's more efficient this way than a single loop seemingly, anyway, it works great.

[KJRZOnTheAir]

Nice work Morten! If you can't get 10 contacts from activating then start hunting! Any station is fair game.

Ham sticks to work great. I haven't tried them at 20W or below with my Xiegu G90. I'm having too much fun with my Yaesu FTDX10 @ 100W. 73!

[KSJD]

Good video!
It might be good to carry a second ham stick. A lot of the guys around here carry 20 and 40. Your mileage on frequency may vary depending upon your location. But like they say the best antenna is the antenna that gets you on the air at the time of the activation. 73

[MRSF]

Good video Morten, I’ve yet to activate a POTA. Hope to work you on the bands one day. Nice channel, subbed. 73 Chris M0RSF