Icom 703 and the N9SAB Windom - A Potent POTA Pair 

KE4YRX here. I've had my General class license since 2015 I think and my Technician class since the last 90s, but I've never owned any radios or made any contacts on HF....only 2m. Now that I have an adventure motorcycle I've recently thought that it would be a great way to do some low power, very mobile, in the field type operations, and I have to say that this video was very exciting for me. I've found my local club is having a meeting this Friday about, of all things, POTA. Timing is everything, and I truly believe this is my time to FINALLY use that General license.....LOL Thanks for taking the time to do this video.........it's been very inspiring for me!

During our QSO I knew I recognized your call but couldn't place it till I put the call in the log. When I first got into radio in 2015, some of your videos on telescopic poles and the FT-817 were some of the first videos I watched, and something you said in one of your videos has always stuck with me. "Buy experiences, not things". I imagined my signal to be stronger than that, but with 15w and using a fence as an antenna, I'm happy you could hear me at all. It was a great day to operate portable - thanks for sharing my video!

I really like your POTA videos, Terry. They are even better when I am in them. K0PIG. And that does look like a pretty park. Say thanks to your wife 😁. Nice job, as usual.

Hi Tracy, I enjoy watching your outdoors on the air videos, I've owned an ft-817 for some years now and used it mainly at home and in the car, it's only the last couple of years that I've picked up the bug to ditch the car and get out there and play outside radio and I'm loving it and will never give it up, I'm very lucky where I live and am blessed with a lot of good local parks and open spaces to operate from and have picked up some good tips and tricks from you and other RU-vid videos and I've nearly there with my portable kit I'll nail it this season I now have added a 705 to the collection and am very happy with it I don't need all the Carlos fandango functions on the radio and have disabled as many of them as possible to save power consumption I use external batteries to power the radio mainly a 12 volt LIFePO4 6 amp battery that rests just over 13 Volt's very light battery with a high cycle life also have the 20 amp LIFePO4 battery for when I'm going to stay away from home for a longer time, re the 705 the only drawback I can find with it is that it's difficult to read the screen in bright outside light. Keep up the great work Tracy hope we hook up one day on the air portable to portable QRP let's keep our fingers crossed that the build up to cycle 21 enables good DX cheers Adam G7CRQ.

Nice contacts Tracy! The IC-703 and N9SAB antenna did a fine job. BTW, I just added an IC-703 Plus to my QRP radio collection, but I held on to my FT-817nd as well. I am very partial to both of these rigs. The campground was beautiful. Although you only spent one night it looked to be a successful and enjoyable event. Until next time take care and stay well my friend!

I've noticed in the last few months. That's there's a lot more QRMing to the P.O.T.A. activator's. Tracy thanks for anouther great video.

Happy New Year Tracy and keep them coming all those videos of the beautiful countryside. 73, good DX Gust ON6KE

Nice to get pleasant weather in November. Glad you took advantage of it. 👍👍👍

What a great video! I have been following you for a good while. I must tell you that you are model for all of us to emulate. Please keep it up. 73 from New Orleans, KG5OBD

Another perfect video Tracy. All that beautiful nature and plenty a space to have a good time. 73, take care. Gust ON6KE

Another good one Tracy.

keep on doing great stuff - great trips and great videos.

Many thanks for that. I have had a 703 for many years and would not get rid of it at any price. Greeting from the Uk.

Thanks for the inspiration. I am thinking of activating a few local parks for pota next spring. Every time I watch a video of yours I want to do it more. I finally have everything I need to go portable and hope to get out and try the setup at my hunt camp soon. See you on the air Andy VA3XAP.

Enjoyed the video.....looks like fun.

Hi Tracy another great video, I have been following you for some time now and enjoy all your adventures. Great calm personality and can do attitude. Keep up with your adventures I'm sure we all get much enjoyment and learn something along the way. 73 from Tasmania, Australia vk7ham Rodney.

Looks like you had a great outing my friend!

Tracy, the weather was amazing. Glad you had fun and posted your POTA video. Sadly I bought paint at Home Hardware and stood on a ladder. Denis VA3ONO

Great video as always Tracy. I also activated Arrowhead PP in October. I have a trailer and was hooked up to the hydro so I operated 100W CW with an EFHW strung up in the trees. Your QRP/SSB op was very impressive! John VA3KOT, Owen Sound.

Always a pleasure viewing your videos. You have a smooth voice and calm attitude. Keep them coming. 73 WoYVY

Terry Great job with QRP. Neat video.

Good day, Tracy, I'm still running that Par EndFedZ that I got off of you a few years back. Always packed away with my overseas adventures. Great video's, Take care, VE3YC

I always enjoy your videos. And I really like the IC-703. It is more robust than a KX2 and still has a really good receiver, even compared to newer SDR rigs. 73, Stephan, DF6PA

Real nice setup.

Another great video Tracy! I can't wait until next spring to start doing my own activations! I hope to hear you on the air someday, especially now that I just passed my General examination. 73 K37BUA

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO TRACY, THANKS! AMAZING CONSIDERING QRP.

Always enjoy your videos, Tracy. I did actually buy that IC-705 I was contemplating in my last e-mail to you. I need to find the right antenna to use in the field now. I made a couple contacts with my MP1C Super Antenna, but it's fairly narrow banded and I have to constantly adjust it with an analyzer.

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I have a 703 bought it about 3-4 years ago and have only used it a couple of times. Your vid makes me want to give it a chance. I have several pack antennas and have been looking at POTA as well as SOTA. I live just north of ADK park. I'll listen for your call. Phil WG2W

Sounds like a lot of fun, Tracy.....73

Great video man. Very inspiring.

Sometimes it’s good to have a pile up. Hope you enjoyed the outing and had good weather. 73 wd4dda

I enjoyed watching, thanks for the video :)

Great video, thanks for sharing :)

Great video. Looks like you had fun. When I hear VE3 stations I wonder if it will be you...

Another great activation!! 73

Still love my IC-703. Does such a great job. Had an 817 and it was never as good. Might be convinced to try a 705 one day, but not quite yet.

hey tracy LOng time no see you nice to seeyou good luck 73 from kb2uew terrific job

Icom 703+ Last true qrp radio. very good receiver, I will never sell

Nice video, thanks.

Very nice Tracy like the Area HS0ZBS

Good video. Sorry about your neck ache. I often had that until I started using a hammock camping inflatable pillow. It’s infinitely adjustable and works even better for sleep comfort with an asymmetric hammock. Just a thought. 73. KG5MEP

Thanks for the nice video. I actually prefer the IC-703 over the FT-897. I find the receiver on the first gen IC-703 much more sensitive than the FT-897.

You've got a really really great XYL Tracy. Hope to catch you on the air ! 73 Chris ha7wx / ve2??? in the next future... have been at Algonquin PP but not Arrowhead PP good to know.

Nice video. Thanks for sharing. It looked like you had a fun time. I use to camp and take a radio along, it was always fun. I mostly use my KX2 for portable operating, but I still have my IC703+. It's just too good of a radio to part with. I'm guessing what you meant by having the antenna too high was because it bent the top of your mast? You can never get an antenna too high. Hi Hi My 28 foot telescopic mast is designed to hang a flag on it. I purchased it because of its strength. It's much stronger than those cheap MFJ masts. Mine collapses to 24 inches. Keep up these nice videos. I always enjoy watching them. Barry, KU3X/QRP

Tks you 73

Hi, enjoy your videos, I have an IC703 gathering dust, encouraged to get out with it! 73 Phil G7JJZ...

Another good video, Thanx de WB9NYI

That Delaware Park K1743 is not far from me. White Clay Creek State Park, near Newark, Delaware. Nice video....

Great video Tracy really enjoyed it. Now that you have had the 703 for awhile would you go back to a ft 817/818? Keep up the good videos.

What a wonderful trip you had and such an understanding wife. I too am very fortunate to have such a great spouse. I just love camping and when I have my radio with me it's even better. Wow, look at all the nice comments. You are liked by so many and it's easy to see why. Good luck and keep up the videos. John N6NRO

How do you like the IC-703. Its working for you. Thank you for the video.

I just have a hard time with 5 and 10w rigs... id take one if someone gave me one sure, but I like rigs that have more juice behind em. Great video though

yout qso partner made video too. fucking cool. edith: shit you linked it kewl videos u make.

Wife tells you to go camping 😂🤔

I have an ic-703 new in box if anyone is interested

Nice video and nice wife :)

Does you wife have a sister, HiHi. 73's