The First 100 Years Are The Hardest

This week I received the new CTR2-Dial, a new MIDI controller for remote ham radio operations from Lynovation (Lynn Hanson NU7Q) with support for RHR, Thetis and Flexradio.    This new controller is enhanced version of CTR2-MIDI but features a color touchscreen display.  The dial is completely programmable and support dozens of buttons and dials which simulate Mode, Band, VFO, RIT/XIT functions, etc.   The platform is still very much under development so I flashed the firmware to the latest version (1.00.04).  I loaded the default map into SmartSDR iOS and updated Trigger Straight Key (98) and PTT Push (99) configs in the map file.    The controller is connected via USB to my iPhone via an OTG adapter to power the Dial and communicate with SmartSDR.  The straight key connects to the TRS jack onthe dial.  I made a few test calls and RBN spotted me right away which is always the best part of the test.   The Rest of the controls (...

First activation of the new year, and it took two attempts to get NM US-2701 Hyde Memorial State Park activation in the books.  No internet or cell service, and valleys and deep canyons make this park a challenge to activate QRP.   I chose 17M for both attempts.  I could hear many stations on 17M and 20M but 17 was less crowded on both days. During the first outing, I used a ground mounted vertical  (MP1c Super antenna) and only got 1 QSO (from KS) over the course of an hour.   I checked RBN when I got back to our lodging and confirmed my KX3 was definitely getting out.  However most of my RBN spots were < 20db and many were less than 10db SNR. Not accepting defeat, today I went back for a second try the next day and set up in the same location, at the same time of day.   But time I scheduled the activation on the POTA spotting page before I headed out,  and switched to to an EFHW up about 15th in an inverted V configuration....