The 4th Try Was the Charm! Challenger FINALLY Hits Low SWR | POTA CW

Links to specific QSOs below ⬇️ Welcome back to another Parks on the Air (POTA) activation! The fourth time really was the charm. After three previous attempts to optimize the KJ6ER Challenger Half-Wave Off-Center Fed Vertical, I made one final modification based on excellent suggestions from Greg (KJ6ER) and Stuart (VE9CF). The result? 🎯 I finally achieved the Low SWR I had been chasing! To celebrate, I headed back to POTA US-7689 – Arcadia Conservation Reserve to put the antenna to the test under real operating conditions. This time I lowered the feedpoint and changed the position of the short-end radiator (counterpoise). Even though band conditions were challenging, the antenna performed beautifully and even opened up opportunities on 17 meters. If you enjoy real-world antenna experiments, portable HF, CW, and POTA activations, you'll probably enjoy this one. 📊 Activation Results 📡 28 CW QSOs ⏱️ 70 Minutes 🏞️ POTA US-7689 – Arcadia Conservation Reserve 📻 20 & 17 Meter CW 🏆 Century Club Member 🎉 First-Ever POTA QSO 📻 Equipment • Yaesu FT-891 • Yaesu FC-50 Matching Unit • WattCycle 12Ah LiFePO4 Battery • Modern Morse Nameless v0.H "Stormtrooper" Paddle • Ham2K Portable Logger (PoLo) 📡 Antenna • KJ6ER Challenger • 25' Intellitron Telescoping Whip • LDG 4:1 UnUn • 6'3" Linked Counterpoise • DIY Tripod • DIY Feedpoint Choke 🏆 Video Highlights ✅ Finally reached a Low SWR ✅ Real-world field testing ✅ Portable CW operation ✅ 20 & 17 meter contacts ✅ Antenna tuning discussion ✅ New POTA Music Preview 5x🎉 Our First POTA QSO 5x🏆 Century Club Member Timeline 00:00 Introduction 00:00 Activation Begins 01:00 AC9M Joshua IN 03:50 WA5AMM Buz SC 06:20 K3CBK Christopher MS 08:20 N4RS William MO 09:00 AD2MM Vince NY 09:40 AA5OX Ron TX 10:40 NI5U Carlos NM🎉 Our First POTA QSO 13:30 K0YA Thomas TX🎉 Our First POTA QSO 15:00 K2KJD Brooks NC🎉 Our First POTA QSO 16:15 KG1A Thomas FL 17:05 AD9FW Neil IN 18:20 NQ5A Les AR 20:45 N5IM Bill TX QSOs in the log but not recorded KG8CO Brian MI KK8O Eric MI🎉 Our First POTA QSO KU2MM Philiar CA WB0TUA Derek WI N3BEN Ben CA 22:30 KE4ZUN Jim NC 23:40 KF9R Ed IN🏆 Century Club Member 24:40 NT6K Dave CA 26:15 K4ARQ John FL🏆 Century Club Member 29:15 N9ANA Voyagers Amateur Radio Club IL 30:20 NE4TN Walt TN🏆 Century Club Member 32:30 NE3U Matthew KY🎉 Our First POTA QSO 33:45 KJ7DT Paul ID🏆 Century Club Member 35:35 KF9R Ed IN🏆 Century Club Member 38:45 K2J Team K2J NC 40:50 Wrap-up 42:45 Station and Antenna Setup 45:10 New POTA Music If you enjoy Parks on the Air, CW, portable HF, antenna experiments, and honest field testing, you're in the right place. 👍 If you enjoyed the video, please Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment. Have you built or experimented with the KJ6ER Challenger? I'd love to hear what worked for you. Every POTA Day is a Great Day! 73, Randy — N5ILQ #POTA #ParksOnTheAir #HamRadio #CW #MorseCode #KJ6ER #ChallengerAntenna #PortableHamRadio #VerticalAntenna #AntennaTesting #FT891 #YaesuFT891 #PortableOps #HFRadio #AmateurRadio