Hello! My name is Cliff Batson (N4CCB). The videos I place on RU-vid correspond to blog posts on QRPSchool.com
QRPSchool.com is a blog I started in order to share my experience and my ongoing adventures in low-power amateur radio. It also serves to keep me motivated to continue to learn new things. Please feel free to post comments and share your opinions/experiences. I'm happy if my "teaching" is helpful but I'm even happier to learn something from you!
I've noticed down through the years that there's something about Radio, Photography, Computers and music that draws a lot of us together. It's like an illness with us :D I'm currently head first down the EMACS rabbit hole and I bet you've been there too. That was a great tune Chris, very well done.
Hey Cliff, thanks again for this. After watching your video I got some gear and headed out to a park this weekend. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cFjyELEHG5c.html
What happened to the Tornado Observing and Safety video? I wanted to watch this with my son as he is interested in severe weather tracking and spotting, but it doesn't seem to exist anymore.
Hello! I maintain FOUR youtube channels. One of those is my local ARES group ("WCARES") and that Tornado video was supposed to be uploaded to the WCARES Media channel on RU-vid. I accidentally uploaded it to my QRP School RU-vid channel! So, I moved it to the correct RU-vid channel. You can watch it now on the WCARES RU-vid channel here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dYH1x4s86QE.htmlsi=N7kxbcw5iSEN9mVa
Thanks for the video. I could tell that you have production experience just by those comical videos you put out and even musical skills to boot. I have done professional shooting, editing, lighting and sound for a living (news media) for the last 30 years. I sometimes think about doing Witherspoon style videos. But, I don’t, because all that seems like actual work and I also don’t like myself on camera. But, the hardest part is actually thinking while speaking and having it come out smoothly. It takes a natural talent but that too can be learned over time. For now, I’m just a viewer.
Hi, Dave. There's no getting around it... it's work! Even the (mostly) unedited K4SWL videos take time to plan, pack your gear, shoot, edit a little, and upload. That said, you could do one just to see how it goes. Nobody ever needs to see it! Question: Is it possible that you're being a little too critical of yourself? Maybe you'd do a perfectly acceptable job while on-camera. I get that some people are more smooth and natural when talking to a camera, but the goal is just to be yourself. And it you're a little awkward at times, so what?! Authenticity is what people want. Given your background, you'd do a fine job on the production side. I just want to encourage you to make ONE video... just to see how it goes. It might be darn good. - Cliff
Coffee and Ham Radio is a perfect example of a bad channel. They sit around and mumble at each other. No one looks like they want to be there. It's uninspired and quite sad actually.
I like QRP and used it off an on over the last sixty years. Never mentioned it was QRP to anyone but did say it was home-brew under 10 watts. Never did contests. I liked it when I was heard on the other side of the world but the only record of it was penciled into my log book. I didn't carry it around like an iPhone photo album. The only mode I've ever used is CW and RTTY. It is kind of sad to me how defacto segregation has overrun amateur radio in my lifetime. The qrp world I'm really diving in to is WSPR. I get to wake up in the morning as see how effective my gear is relative to others in my region which is nobody. Power transmitted and measured in db is exactly how the human ear works. Very non-linear and why digital modes (unheard except by the demodulator) and linear and can hear the difference in S-units. The demodulator for CW is the meat between the ears and why we can't hear a 3db change in CW transit power.
Hi Cliff, very interesting topic. I did photo and video for a while for a magazine and I am familiar with a lot of stuff you talk about in this great video. As always it's nice to combine one or more hobby's or passions with eachother. I'm curious in what kind of video editing software u are using to edit and produce your content. I tried different ones but came to the conclusion that for me Filmora Wondershare is a great piece of software capable of producing fantastic results even more with the latest releases. Besides that I was shooting my clips with dslr at start but got it down to a small decent mirrorless camera known for great photos and great video for less than 900$ us. I combined that with a external mic with windscreen also. I'm also using my phone sometimes. Indoor I often use my airpods pro. They sound very good but won't cancel wind noise outdoors. For indoor shooting I still use two small tripods and some softboxes. A led light circle for close-up works also works fine I think. It seems we have a lot in common ;-) 73 Phil from EU. ON4VP.
Hi, Phil. It sounds like you are probably very good at this (video). While I have Adobe Premiere, I don't use it very much. I tend to use Camtasia by Techsmith. It is a wonderful package for making tutorial videos where you're capturing computer screens and adding narration, annotations, etc. I use it for my software business videos and it's perfect for that. But, it also works great as a general purpose video editor. - Cliff
@@QRPSchool thanks Cliff. Now I am a lot more advanced but this is one of my first attempts to make a small movie about a trip in the Alpes. The motorcycle (both) have a dualbander on board. Body under the seat, display on the handlebars and antenna mounted on the back of the frame. We integrated the ham into the onboard com set (helmet) and PTT on the handlebars. We did almost 4500 km. We made a daily vlog. My buddy filmed and I did the talking. We used a similar mic (on my vest) with wireless remote to the Sony camera. One clip I even used the intercom audio that was transmitted over the air to the Sony. We edited those days with low budget. But for a first attempt I was excited to learn more and improve my skills. have a look if you are interested. Language is Dutch (sorry) but you get the picture. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KRJ-9AcorG0.html
@@pvdk That is a great video! And congratulations on your fine motorcycling skills. I have a Honda Goldwing (2018 model) and riding on loose gravel and taking those tight turns at high speed would scare me! Well done, Phil! The video was fun to watch. Even though I've been going to Bonaire each year for nearly 20 years, my Dutch is limited to niet parkeren and let op drempel. 😃
Excellent presentation. I will probably never record a YT video, but now I have a much greater appreciation of what goes into that process. -- Mark, KE6BB
Thanks, Mark. YT is free and gives you unlimited storage for your videos... which never have to be made public. It might be something you could use at some point in the future. And you might be good at making videos if you give it a try. You never know. Thanks for watching! - Cliff
Excellent video Cliff, thank you! I'll share this around. One thing I would add (I don't *think* you mentioned, but I could have missed it) is to turn one's phone to landscape mode. I see way too many videos online, inexplicably shot in portrait mode, leading to dead space on the sides of the finished video and a lot of unnecessary panning to capture the entire subject. 73 Richard VK2SKY
Good point on shooting video in landscape mode, Richard. Unless you're a young person making content for other young people who are watching video on their phones in portrait mode, landscape mode is the right way to go. - Cliff
Thanks Cliff. That had more useful information than the last 5 vids I have seen on the subject. Just recorded a little clip that I think will make a decent short. And there you were with answers to most of my questions. Thanks again.
@@QRPSchool FYI...I AM grabbing the bull by the horns...headed to Puerto Rico this weekend for some QRP POTA and I WILL be doing video! First crack at it and I'm already story-boarding
@@MentalWhiplash YES!!!! Trust, me... having a shot list with you is worth the trouble of making one. Tell the story. Get little clips of getting on the plane, even. (if you care to make it that granular) Clips of getting to the location. Go nuts making little clips that you can stitch together later. Maybe you won't use some of them, but it's good to have extra footage. Can't wait to see it when you're done! Of course, you are under no obligation to show it to anyone if you're not happy with it. (But, I'd like a peek!). Have fun down there. I'm jealous. - Cliff
Absolutely fantastic! I love this song! Totally awesome arrangement and performance. Hot guitar too! Being a professional guitarist loving funk and jazz and a QRP HAM, this really gets me going. I was practically dancing in my chair. You were telling me you were a 'Yellow Jackets' fan and now I can tell. Well done, Cliff!
Thank you, Gary. That means a lot. I think it takes a musician to truly appreciate how good those musicians are that recorded the tracks for me. I am not in their league, but I was happy to be a part of it. I payed clavinet, electric piano, and a Hammond organ on this. So much fun!
While I have Adobe Premiere, I don't use it very much. I tend to use Camtasia by Techsmith. It is a wonderful package for making tutorial videos where you're capturing computer screens and adding narration, annotations, etc. I use it for my software business videos and it's perfect for that. But, it also works great as a general purpose video editor. - Cliff
Cliff - I sense a stream of future QRP School content, whose prospect I look forward. Also, congratulations on your somewhat imminent planned retirement. Cheers.
Thank you. Tom Hemby is an incredible guitar player. And when I gave my horn chart to Mark Douthit (saxophone) for him to gather Steve Patrick (trumpet) and Barry Green (trombone) to record their tracks, I knew that they would play the ever-loving crap out of it. They are the best horn section in Nashville. Just an honor to have been able to work with people this talented. I'm not a bad keyboard player... I'm "good enough"... but I am not in the same league as these guys. It was a joy to mix this. - Cliff
LOVE IT! 🏆 But.... The start of the start of the closing melody had me anticipating the theme from Chariots of Fire. ;-) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1eYGl8PNjlU.html
You said it , *'thats why QRP works'!* Exactly! It takes a surprising number of people a long time to grasp this, if ever, because power to loudness relation is logarithmic not linear, and logarithmic scales are almost always counter intuitive to our feeble minds!. I love this fact, and it feeds my life long fascination with simple unsophisticated equipment. It also motivates efforts to try QRPp. If you are getting contacts on 1w, turn it down to 250mW, it's only one S-point! Now at the peak of Cycle 25 is the ideal time to turn down the power; try it, with a good antenna and at the right time of day, and be amazed!
Hey, Paul. Thanks for that. When AI music generators can make funky soul music about ham radios, I'll happily spend the rest of my days listening to robots! That day is probably coming though, right? I'm already using AI to give me ideas for lyrics. You might ask Chat-GPT to write lyrics for your song 10 times and then scour them for bits and pieces. It's like having a friend to brainstorm with. Of course, most of it is trash, but it CAN cause you to think of things you wouldn't have thought of. To me, that's the best of AI right now, using it for thinking outside the box. Thanks again - Cliff
Hey great video, you actually answered my question from the first video you did... on difference from say cw to phone... thanks, I learned alot. Now as far as the sad hams, and It seems to me they are more and more of them today, No matter what test you do, there is ALWAYS going to be different variables and scenarios..... thats HAM RADIO... no way can ANYONE do a test to cover all the different variables.. that said Thanks a million for all the videos sharing your knowledge, 73 NS9T.
CW does travel better than phone or digital. It’s a pure, unmodulated carrier so it’s more like a laser pointer than a flash light. Time spent learning Morse code is time well spent if you’d like to use small battery powered radios. -Cliff
Im no expert, but I do quite a bit of POTA, IMO, the wattage is not nearly as important as the antenna. I work portable POTA station in parks in Indiana, and i promise you I have guys contacting me with very exspensive radios on 100 watts and upwards in power, that do not come in nearly as loud and clear as someone in the same approximate location on 5 watts... still surprises me. If my very limited experience matters at all, the antenna is the biggest factor to consider. That said , on my portable chameleon telescoping vertacle , i get much , much greater results on 100 watts than say 25 watts, thanks for all the great videos sir, I have been watching and learning from them for years. NS9T 73
Thank you. I hear what you're saying. For me, I think propagation makes all the difference. If propagation is good between two stations, almost anything works. If propagaion is not great, I'll need to increase my power. If propagation is bad, I might as well walk away. If you think about it, people are transmitting all over the world right now... in Singapore, China, etc. And I probably can't hear any of them because propgation isn't good between us. So, I hope my signal is strong to SOMEWHERE when I'm operating. But, if it's not, I still had fun going fishing, whether the fish are biting or not. Thanks again! - Cliff
Thanks, Lee. It was a real treat to take this from concept to finished product utilizing all of these great musicians. I am blessed to live in Nashville, where there are an insane number of monster musicians of every genre. - Cliff
Yes, the key to QRP is "If propagation's good", meaning high sun spot numbers and hot bands like 20 meters. QRP isn't a challenge then. We'll see if you QRP guys stick it out, and never run more power, when the sun spot numbers bottom out, or when you decide to try the tough stuff, like 160 meters SSB during any summer. 73 -mike
Hey, Mike. Well, we don't have a "hive mind" in that many of us use 100 watts when QRP isn't possible. Some QRP'ers even own (gasp) amplifiers! I don't own an amp but I've got three 100 watt radios on my desk. When propagation is NOT good, why bother playing radio at all? It's just going to be an exercise in frustration. So, we turn the power down in order to feel more satisfaction when we're successful. That's why we do it, but when turning the power down will knowingly lead to frustration (like 160m SSB), I don't know why anyone would put themselves through that. Bottom line: it's all good. QRP is great when it works. When it doesn't work, we turn up the power or go do something else. Take care - Cliff
@@QRPSchool said "When propagation is NOT good, why bother playing radio at all?" I do it because of: 1) my love for radio, or as I think about it as Magic Radio. Because to me its still Magic that I can communicate to anyone, over long distances, with out wires (CB'er in the late 60's, Ham licensed since '76, Commercial Licensed in '77, and retired from the communications electronic field); 2) I can find a better educated and more intelligent group of people (for the most part) to learn from and commune with, and to discuss ALL sides of an issue with... with way more options to accomplish this than on CB, GMRS, FRS... If I'd loved QRP, for the sake of QRP, I could have stuck with CB.; 3) When I make that rare contact, at a place and time that normally it would never happened, I feel like I accomplished something. Like when a Ham was flying aeronautical mobile hundreds of miles away and I went outside with my 2 meter hand held and worked him. But when everyone can work the world on low power with a compromise antenna or non-antenna (coat hanger, screen door…)… its fun but not challenging…; 4) Because I sometimes want a challenge in my hobbies, like when I took up building and flying Radio Controlled airplanes; designing, building and flying High Power Rockets; home brewing electronics equipment for my specialized wants and needs... Lets face it, people like to play, and spend tons of time and money on computer games because they find them fun and challenging. Make things too easy and they can become boring. People who take on challenges and overcome them are less prone to boredom. I haven’t been bored, anytime, since I was a child. I didn't say QRP'rs have a "Hive Mind", that's apparently something that's touchy in the back of your mind or you wouldn't have mentioned it. All I did was point out that QRP, like all aspects of life, isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore both should be brought up with equal emphasis, so people don't get into it thinking that it IS all sunshine and rainbows, buy specialized equipment, and become disappointed, or bored with it when cycle 25 drops out. Explore more aspects of our hobby With Eyes Wide Open, don't be too narrowly focused... that often leads to boredom, burnout and/or disappointment, with emptier pockets. 73 -mike
"I didn't say QRP'rs have a "Hive Mind", that's apparently something that's touchy in the back of your mind or you wouldn't have mentioned it." Thanks for your analysis. You DID say, "We'll see if you QRP guys stick it out, and never run more power..." so you were lumping us all into a group, right? In my reply, I pointed out that many of us a ALREADY running more power at times. I'm not really in the mood to argue today. I think we agree on more things than we disagree. - Cliff
@QRPSchool 🤣😂🤣Thanks for the laugh! I see, Cliff, that you deleted my calm, logical, and well reasoned reply that put things into perspective and Debunked Your Spin, pulling things back to reality. Doing this admits that your QRP School channel is just following your current agenda, not reality. If you and your viewers are indeed using both the most common, 100 watts, power level and QRP, then there's really no need for this Channel at all, is there? One video telling people to try low power because its also enjoyable would have been enough. Or, Better Yet, having a General Ham Radio School, educating people in the various aspects and intricacies of ham radio while occasionally suggesting they also try QRP would have done more people more good, while not appearing like an agenda on your part. Or delving into the SWR debate, as to how much a high SWR actually affects your transmitted power using science, not opinion, to settle it once and for all. Or… ( thousands of other more helpful concepts) Lets face it, all the schooling that's Actually needed for QRP during good propagation, is how to reduce power on your more flexible 100 watt rig because making any contact with lower power is fulfilling due to it being a bit more of a challenge. You did say “When propagation is NOT good, why bother playing radio at all?” which eliminates the Real challenge of QRP. I'm glad you admit that your really not a QRP guy. It emphasizes my points, most of which you deleted. Both being Hams, I'm sure there's a Lot of things we have in common. But the main thing we apparently don't agree on is Niche Marketing Of Ideas targeted at a slice of a hobby that will almost disappear when Cycle 25 ebbs, leaving many people with QRP equipment that usually gets shelved, or sold, if its priced cheaply enough. OR Is That Your Underlying Agenda? To pick up better QRP equipment at Bargain Prices when the market for QRP equipment fades??? BTW, I do my writing in a word processor and save it, so the following is My Reply that You Deleted. It makes things easier to refer back to and quote... “@QRPSchool said "When propagation is NOT good, why bother playing radio at all?" I do it because of: 1) my love for radio, or as I think about it as Magic Radio. Because to me its still Magic that I can communicate to anyone, over long distances, with out wires (CB'er in the late 60's, Ham licensed since '76, Commercial Licensed in '77, and retired from the communications electronic field); 2) I can find a better educated and more intelligent group of people (for the most part) to learn from and commune with, and to discuss ALL sides of an issue with... with way more options to accomplish this than on CB, GMRS, FRS... If I'd loved QRP, for the sake of QRP, I could have stuck with CB.; 3) When I make that rare contact, at a place and time that normally it would never happened, I feel like I accomplished something. Like when a Ham was flying aeronautical mobile hundreds of miles away and I went outside with my 2 meter hand held and worked him. But when everyone can work the world on low power with a compromise antenna or non-antenna (coat hanger, screen door…)… its fun, but not challenging…; 4) Because I sometimes want a challenge in my hobbies, like when I took up building and flying Radio Controlled airplanes; designing, building and flying High Power Rockets; home brewing electronics equipment for my specialized wants and needs... Lets face it, people like to play, and spend tons of time and money on computer games because they find them fun and challenging. Make things too easy and they can become boring. People who take on challenges and overcome them are less prone to boredom. I haven’t been bored, anytime, since I was a child. I didn't say QRP'rs have a "Hive Mind", that's apparently something that's touchy in the back of your mind or you wouldn't have mentioned it. All I did was point out that QRP, like all aspects of life, isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore both should be brought up with equal emphasis, so people don't get into it thinking that it IS all sunshine and rainbows, buy specialized equipment, and become disappointed, or bored with it when cycle 25 drops out. Explore more aspects of our hobby With Eyes Wide Open, don't be too narrowly focused... that often leads to boredom, burnout and/or disappointment, with emptier pockets.” Now you can Delete this reply, and that reply again. OR you can claim it wasn't deleted by you, it was a Glitch in the Matrix, which we won't believe. 73 -mike
True. I don't know if they've seen it. They weren't in the room at the QRP ARCI "FDIM" event where I played it during my recent presentation. After I played the video during my presentation, I remarked: "In hindsight, this looks like a love letter to the KH1!" I do love that little rig. - Cliff
Nice video! I enjoy QRP when the conditions are good or the bands are active. Sometimes 5 watts isn't enough. I've taken an IC-705 to Aruba a few times and with 5 watts I was pretty much limited to FT8. There just weren't enough strong CW or SSB signals I could work. Bumping up to 50 watts was a lot more fun including a successful POTA activation at AW-0001. My view is to think about what you want to learn or the experience you want to have and keep it simple. Being resourceful and making it work with simple antennas and low power is very satisfying even if not strictly QRP. Enjoy! K1AV
When propagation is good, you can have a lot of fun with QRP. When propagation is not good, we might as well go do something else or crank up the power. People who are into QRP intentionally turn the power down so that when we make successful contacts, we feel a real sense of accomplishment. That’s really all there is to it. We can’t expect to have success all the time with QRP, and most of us are OK if the fish sometimes aren’t biting. It’s all good. I still have some 100 watt contacts at times. Thanks for your comment!
Great song 🎶Cliff🎶 love it👍 Here in the England we have been gifted with a power increase to 1KW, not sure if that is good or bad. I have operated almost exclusively as a mobile station and that gives a similar buzz to running QRP, so when the QRP Sense of achievement fades try switching to QRP mobile. 🤓🤪 Stephen GØDKM/Mobile
Lord, have mercy. That is brilliant! I’ve got to ask; the photos of you looking out the window has an old console radio behind you that looks like my parents old Philco Am/SWL and turn table. That was the first short wave I ever listened too. Radio Moscow was loud on 40 meters at night. Of course, bragging about hearing radio Moscow in the ‘50s in Texas wasn’t really a good thing to do….. Brought by memories. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks! As for the radio gear, it all belongs to my friend Doug Miller, W4DML. He is the person you see in the video. You can look him up on QRZ.com and get his email address there to correspond with him. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind talking about it with you. - Cliff
Two comments. First, propagation is king. Working a NJ ham from TX, he was 599 at 3 watts. I was 439 running 500 watts. One way paths can be vexing. I’ve seen small power increases make a difference in ease of copy. Heavy QRN day and he went from 20 to 30 watts and while his strength didn’t change the ability to copy got much easier. The old Novice rigs had a limit of 75 watts input which resulted in around 33 watts out and we had fun. I’m usually careful about suggesting QRP for new hams as some patience is required and new folks may not have much. QRPis easier when the sun is active but it is a fun mode. I’m 99% CW but when hunting POTA I run 5 watts from a Kenwood TS-480 to a vertical.
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you. Propagation is everything. And I definitely would not advise new hams to go to QRP too soon. We turn the power down so that we feel more of a sense of accomplishment when we make contacts. I think it’s better for new hams to make a lot of contacts in order to feel a sense of satisfaction before they try to lower their power. Thanks again. - Cliff.
