Paddle Failure in the Field! Why I Always Carry 2 CW Keys

SOTA Activation W6/SC-300 | Elecraft KX2 HF + 2M CW with Packtenna Dipole | Paddle Failure in the Field!

Join me for a Summits on the Air (SOTA) activation of W6/SC-300, where I operated HF using the Elecraft KX2 and an end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna. I also experimented with the Packtenna setup configured as a dipole for both 2M CW and 2M FM simplex contacts.

Midway through the activation, my Modern Morse CW paddle failed—locking up on the dit side—forcing me to switch to my backup key, the Bamatech TP-III. This is a perfect reminder of why I always carry an extra CW paddle when activating in the field.

Plenty of portable ham radio fun, troubleshooting on the summit, and solid contacts across bands.


   • Summits on the Air -  QRP CW Operations fr...  

📡 Gear featured:

Elecraft KX2
EFHW Antenna
Packtenna Dipole
Modern Morse Paddle
Bamatech TP-III
2M CW and FM simplex
🎯 Tags:
#HamRadio #SOTA #ElecraftKX2 #Packtenna #CW #PortableRadio #SummitsOnTheAir #QRP #MorseCode #2MeterSimplex #HamRadioPortable

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Gear
OSPREY Stratos Pak
Elecraft KX-2 60-10M
Antenna: EFHW w/ 15 and 17M links
RG-316 25'
Bamatech TP-III
American Morse Single Lever Paddle
iFTx IOS APP
7M carbon Fiber Mast


There is no way I would have the confidence and or the skill be a CW operator on the air without the fantastic instructors from both CWOPS and LICW. Do not hesitate one minute to join this fabulous clubs to learn morse code.
https://cwops.org
https://longislandcwclub.org

iFTx Details
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iftx/id...
https://www.hb9zhk.ch/iftx.html

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#cw #pota #parksontheair #summitsontheair #sota #QRP #hamradio #amateurradio #qrpportable #morsecode #bamatech #americanmorse #mcHF #N0SASPX #QRPLabs #MTBR #bioenno #DJI #LICW #dipole #efhw #Chelegance #mc750 #endfedhalfwave #hamradioantenna #adventure #landcruiser #fj60 #toyota #ft8 #qmx #qrplabs #iftx #mountainbiking #mountains #hikingadventures #hiking #singlespeed #29er