My Parks on the Air Activities - NOT about "The Numbers"
Parks on the Air has never been about numbers for me. I became aware of Parks on the Air (POTA) in June 2021. This was during the height of the COVID pandemic. At that time I was recovering from surgery and treatment for liver failure and treatment for Bladder cancer. My body's ability to fight any type of infection was basically non-existent, so social distancing was a MUST for me. I was not going to totally isolate myself from the world by staying indoors, knowing how vital exercise, fresh air and mental stimulus was vital to my recovery. Parks on the Air has been the BEST medicine for me over the last 3 years. I've been able to combine bicycling with my Ham Radio activities as part of my health treatment plan. What a great combination.
Lewis & Clark National Historical Trail Along the banks of the Ohio River at Waterfront Park Louisville, KY. USA
POTA is not about the numbers for me. Oh, I've had a few failed POTA activations over the years; but it is no big deal. WHY? Because I've been able to meet so many people; in part due to my ham radio POTA activities. I've met current and former teachers, current and retired nurses, doctors and other medical professionals, current and former military personnel, a retired Federal Judge, Boy and Girl Scout leaders along with kids from Scout Troops, inquisitive children, Nature and Wildlife conservationists and park staff, countless animals, dogs, cats, minks, river otters, deer, snakes, frogs, coyotes, giraffes, hawks, ducks, turtles, wild turkeys, aircraft pilots, other hams who've been inactive, numerous sunrises and sunsets, operating at night, and more than anything; thousands of other hams who've I been able to contact and some who've visited; like Ed / W4EMB, Marcos / K8ARE and Doug / N6UA.
Recently, I had one of several QSOs with a man I like to call "The POTA LEGEND", Bob Voss / N4CD.
During Hamvention 2022, Charlie "Red" / NJ7V got a chance to talk with Bob who at that time was one of the activation leaders for Parks on the Air (2022) Below is a link to that interview;
When I have contacts like those with Bob and other operators who I regularly communicate with and those operators who are NEW to CW pedaling along at 10 WPM, I get excited as that little kid who was introduced to the hobby in the mid 50's.
One of my other cherished Parks on the Air activations came about amazingly unexpected when I was calling CQ and got HUGE greeting from an associate of a park visitor.
I've come to understand that with my Parks on the Air activities in an urban setting, I never know what to expect.
Here's a short slideshow of some of the things I've experienced during my Parks on the Air activities. After watching; you may have a better understanding why for me, "Its NOT about the NUMBERS"
As some of you know I do some QRPp Parks on the Air activations using the QRP Labs QCX Mini. For the past couple of years I've had GREAT results using my 40 and 20 meter QCX Mini with what I call, "My Smoke Detector Battery" setup
This spring and so far this summer I've used both 40 and 20 meter QCX minis with a 9 volt/200mW battery for WSPR operations. And most recently I've used the 9 volt/200mW battery with my 40 meter QCX Mini for for early morning CW Parks on the Air activations.
While using my YouKits HB-1B during a POTA activation on April 29th, 2024, I set up another vertical antenna with my 20 meter QCX Mini to use as a WSPR station with a 9 volt/200mW battery. I ran this setup for almost an hour and was amazed with the distance and how many beacons picked up my less than a watt signal from Kentucky, USA.
QRP Labs QCXX Mini 20 Meters
A few days later on May 1, 2024; I decided to give it another try but this time on 40 meters when conditions were not quite optimal. And again, I was amazed with the number of stations picking up my signal with "My Smoke Detector Battery"
QRP Labs QCX Mini 40 Meters
As most of you may know, during the month of June 2024, the sun has presented several Earth facing regions which have been quite active with solar storms, solar flares, large sunspot regions, CME's and HF radio blackouts. These conditions have not been favorable for QRPp communications. Living in Kentucky, USA this time of year also represents days and weeks of hot, humid weather with potential for almost daily thunderstorms. So far in June 2024; we've seen record low morning temperatures of 82 degrees and several days of temperatures exceeding 95 degrees with heat indices well over 100 degrees.
Finally the Solar Space Weather forecast for the first few days of July 2024 looked like an excellent opportunity to try some Parks on the Air CW activations using QRPp. However, terrestrial weather was another issue. Heat advisories were forecasted for the last few days of June 2024 and first few days of July 2024. It was time to take advantage of this brief window to do some QRPp operating.
QRPp Equipment Set Up
The antenna I was going to use was the Tufteln 40 / 20 Linked EFHW. I made this antenna specifically for my QRP Labs 40 & 20 Meter QCX Minis.
Tufteln 40 / 20 Meter Linked EFHW
As for a keyer, I was going to use the American Morse Equipment Ultra Porta Paddle.
American Morse Equipment Ultra Porta Paddle
Upon awaking before daybreak, I checked the NOAA Space Weather Predication Center's website for Space Weather conditions. It all looked favorable. Terrestrial weather had a Heat Advisory forecasted for July 2, 2024, so I decided to head out for a near sunrise Parks on the Air activation at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US-7956 which is less than 4 miles from my QTH.
Not knowing who would be hunting at 1130 UTC, I arrived on site; throw up my arborist line about 45 feet into a tree and pulled up my antenna in a sloper configuration, set up my 40 meter QCX Mini and was ready to go.
At 1142 I started sending CQ and 'BEHOLD" within a minute or two the hunters responded top my calls and kept me busy for the next 50 minutes. Below are the results of what a QRPp CW Parks on the Air activation yielded me.
The highlight of this day's activation was a QSO with Greg / VE3GSS Port Carling, ON, Canada. A little over 920 km from my Kentucky POTA site with less than 1 WATT.
At 1235 UTC the temperature had risen to 84 degrees. It made no sense in pushing it as I had already achieved more than I expected. To say I walked away with a HUGE grin on my face is an understatement. It was a GREAT Parks on the Air activation.
On July 3, 2024 my internal clock woke me at 0900 UTC with basically the same Space and Terrestrial conditions that were in play as the day before. So why not make this "Ground Hog Day in July. Same time, same set up on July 3, 2024. One difference; today I would try 20 meters.
Within less than a minute after my CQ on 40 meters at 1143 UTC, my activation began with hunters eagerly wanting to be acknowledged. I didn't disappoint and neither did they. QSOs were rapid fire for almost an hour.
At 1240, I switched over to my 20 meter QCX Mini to see what I could garner, knowing that at time time of morning in the U.S., the likelihood of getting any action on 20 meters was suspect. I did manage one 20 meter QSO. Here was my catch for a July "Ground Hog Day"
The highlight of this day was as try for a Park-to-Park QSO with a station in Japan. I tirelessly tried for several minutes to make a 40 meter contact with a Parks on the Air station JJVAS at JP- 0128. The QSB was pronounced and the strongest I could get was a 229. The operator was kind enough to send AGN? a few times but I was just trilled for that reply with less than 1 WATT.
This day like many others brought greetings from people who have become familiar with my operations as they get in their daily walks, runs and cycling before the heat sets in. Today though I met Dr. Tamekka Cornelius, Ph. D, who was out on her daily walk. She, like others are inquisitive about seeing a man sitting in a mostly open field connected to some wires, a bicycle close by and some weird equipment strapped to his legs. Dr. Cornelius and I had a nice chat about Amateur Radio, brief history of my broadcast career and my bicycling activities.
Operating QRPp reminds me of the country music singer Kenny Rogers' song:
"The Gambler"
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
Once in your ham radio journey, try operating QRPp.
In my previous post I touched on my Lifelong Morse Code Journey. This time I'll touch on some of the keys that have helped me on my journey to the WORLD!
As I mentioned in my earlier posts the key below was my first REAL telegraph key I used in my journey. . This key is over 60 years old and has been mounted on presswood, plywood, tables, plastic and currently this piece of granite. I cannot recall the number of QSOs I've hammered with this key but it has seen me through Novice, General, Advanced and Extra code exams. As I look back on my journey, not only is this my first piece of ham radio equipment but this instrument is my most PRIZED piece of ham radio equipment.
When I decided to reacquaint myself with Morse Code, this was the key I used to re-start my journey. In 1983 when I decided to get relicensed as a Novice I purchased a Morse Code Practice Oscillator Kit from Heathkit. I brought this out of mothballs to continue my Morse Code journey after a 30 year absence.
Well, it seems that adage about "It's just like riding a bicycle" is true. I connected my childhood straight key to the Heathkit Code Oscillator and pounded away.
It didn't take long for my mind and appendages to work in unison. Thanks to operators like Lawrence N2VGA who made it easy to return to the Morse Code mode.
Now that I was reacquainted with doing Morse Code, I decided it was time for this Old Dog to learn a new trick. Even though I had been away from Morse Code for 30 years, the mode of CW has always been in the back of my mind. Years ago I had purchased a Ten Tec Ultramatic Electronic Paddles to pair with my Ten Ten Omni 546D, only never to use it. Now fully engaged in Morse Code, it was time to continue my Lifelong Morse Code Journey and unbox this key to unlock the door to a NEW WORLD of operating CW. PADDLES!
This was a difficult transition for me. It took weeks getting the paddles adjusted to my speed and touch. For me, this unit was so sensitive. It was an ALL NEW experience. But I was not going to let this small piece of metal defeat me. Operators like Bill, K4NYM known affectionately as "The POTA Activator"; helped me navigate me through my unmitigated disastrous sending on far too many occasions. But for me, I remembered that as a youth Novice I never let my poor sending stop me from continuing getting on the air to improve my skills. You can practice as much as you like but REAL WORLD experiences are what HELPED ME.
And if that wasn't enough to keep my fingers busy, I had a couple of Bencher paddles laying around collecting dusk. So why not dusk them off and let my fingers tippy toe across their paddles. I started off in low gear while getting the feel of these Bencher paddles, The BY-1 and BY-2.
For me, these paddles had a different feel than the electronic Ten Tec Ultramatic paddles. I did not hesitate to jump on the air and make contacts as much as possible while making adjustments to the paddles for my personal feel. It didn't take long for me to get really comfortable at higher speeds while having a QSO
As I became more proficient in using paddles, I decided to get more involved operating more SKCC Straight Key Century Club events and their SKCC Sked Page to garner QSOs. Since the club advocates the use of straight keys, side-sweepers (Cooties) and bugs, it was time for me to try something else new and different. So I built my own Hacksaw Blade Cootie Key. Talk about something WAY, WAY out of my COMFORT ZONE. This key pushed me in a good way. It made me become more aware of my sending and not running characters together. It was tough going but well worth it.
It took hours of practice and QSOs for me to feel comfortable using the Cootie Key.
Parks on the Air QSO with Rob WC1N
There is no doubt in my mind I would never have been able to take on this next key, If I had not tried the Cootie Key (Side-Sweeper) first. Even after many hours of practice, many adjustments and many QSOS, I'm still not where I'd like to be using this next key. What key? "The Vibroplex Bug"
It boggles my mind how many operates have in my opinion mastered the use of this key at speeds which are way above my present skill level. This is how it all started with me and My Vibroplex Bug.
Finally after many hours of practice and on - air QSO, I felt confidence enough with setting my Bug up for higher speeds like this Parks on the Air QSO with Tom NV4H.
Learning how to use these different keys has helped revitalize My Lifelong Morse Code Journey, A couple of years ago I made a vow not to buy any more radios. However, I NEVER vowed not to buy any more Morse Code Keys.
Here 's what's next on my Christmas list.
VizKey from Jim W6JIM collection of Keys
Santa, I've bene a good boy so far this year. H! Ho!
For the last few months Vince / VE6LK has been running a YouTube channel series "One CW Question". Its a GREAT series where he interviews Morse Code operators of ALL LEVLES about the one TIP these operators would offer to new Morse Code operators and enthusiast. When you get a chance check out this series. Link Below
Vince's series got me thinking about my introduction into Amateur Radio. As an only child during the early 50's television was in its infancy and commercial broadcast radio was my highway to the world. The RCA Victor Cabinet Radio to the right in this photo was the centerpiece of our Living Room. It had AM and Shortwave Bands. FM? It was around but there were very few FM broadcast stations in the U.S. at that time.
circa 1954
It was during the Christmas holiday of 1956 when I was introduced to Amateur Radio and was totally amazed that a REGUALR person could talk to someone on the other side of the world without wires. (Telephone). That was my first step onto my road to ham radio.
A couple of years would pass before receiving a Gilbert Erector Set for Christmas. It was a huge set with different types of components including an electric motor. The manual contained instructions to build all kinds of neat things. It opened this kid's mind to endless possibilities. One being, building a telegraph kit. The picture below is what my Erector Set looked like plus an example of the build of my telegraph kit. My battery though was a 6V Lantern battery. My first telegraph key,
Gilbert Erector Set
That big RCA Victor Cabinet radio also played a role along my Morse Code road. I was lucky that sometimes on the shortwave portion of that radio I could pick up Morse Code signals. Much to my dismay, the speeds were far too fast for my brain to decode. However, that only made me hunger to find out more about ham radio.
It wasn't until I moved up from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout that my Morse Code interest truly took roots. The Boy Scouts offer so many areas of learning and exposure through their Merit Badge program. For me, it made learning "FUN".
1960 Boy Scout Manual
To the amazement of the pack leaders and my Troops sponsors, the Merit Badge I wanted was, the Signs, Signals, and Codes Merit Badge. No one in the history of this Troop had earned this Merit Badge. A teacher who was a member of the church that sponsored my Troop was willing to assist me in earning my Signs, Signals and Codes Badge. If you think CW Morse Code is difficult, try sending Code with Signal Flags and using a Boy Scout flashlight to act as a Signal Lamp to send Code. For me with my trusty Erector Set telegraph kit setup, learning Telegraph Morse Code was easier than the other two. It took me a full year to learn the Signs, Signals and Codes to earn that Merit Badge.
Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge
That Merit Badge made me want more. But the Scouts couldn't offer any more along the lines of codes. So, that 1956 Christmas holiday exposure to Amateur Radio re-surfaced. How could I get an Amateur Radio license? Back then, there wasn't an Internet. There weren't any personal computers. There were no thumb drives, Micro discs, floppy discs, or SD cards. There weren't CD's. There were no cassettes or cassette players. There were reel-to-reel tapes but who could afford tapes and the player / recorder back then. Thank God for records (LP's) and libraries.
For months, I spent countless hours at the library reading through FCC material about not only Amateur Radio licenses but Radiotelephone Broadcast licensing as well. (At 20, I earned a First Class Radiotelephone Operator License) It took several more months to save money from allowance and selling Christmas cards to purchase an Ameco Equipment Company Morse Code Album (LP) set and my first REAL straight key, which I still have today more than 60 years old
I not only wore grooves into those LPs but went through several needles on my record player as well. I had modified my Erector Set Telegraph setup to include a doorbell buzzer and was gifted a pair of WWII telegraph headphones to the delight of my parents. I spent many a late night in our basement listening to code on those LPs.
Finally in the fall of 1963 along with that teacher who helped me earn my Signs, Signals, and Codes Merit Badge, accompanied me to take my Amateur Radio Novice exam. I marched into the Federal building in Louisville, KY. USA with (4) #2 pencils, a notebook with several sheets of loose leaf paper and the contraption below. I was the "Young Sheldon" before there was one.
The written portion of the Novice test was easy for me as I memorized the answers. The code test wasn't that difficult as I was rather hard headed and refused to believe what some had told me to not worry if I failed the code as a lot of people failed it the first time. I was sure I had passed the test and sure enough several months later a Novice license arrived in the mail.
Unfortunately the one thing I didn't plan for after getting my license was the cost of equipment. I had a year to upgrade from my Novice license but there was no way I could delivery enough newspapers in a year to purchase the Heathkit rigs I wanted. And it was about that time girls and sports came into play in my life and Amateur Radio quickly took a back seat.
The seed was planted and for the years that followed I toiled around getting relicensed and purchased licensing handbooks and casually listened to those Ameco LP's but was not truly devoted like I was as a kid. Instead, I committed myself to obtain my Third Class and First Broadcast license to pursue a career in radio broadcasting in my late teens.
As the years passed and I approached middle age I ran out of excuses to get relicensed. In January 1983, I did what some may consider unfounded and purchased a used Ten Tec Century 21, Butternut HF5V antenna and an ARRL Novice License Manual. For me , this forced my hand to become relicensed.
Unfortunately, I had lost the mindset of that fearless Boy Scout and allowed the doubts of my middle aged mind enter. Relearning Morse Code was different and difficult this time. Listening to the Ameco LP's wasn't helping. At that time there were cassette tapes of code practice along with the new technology of floppy disk with code. None of it help. Then, I went back to my days of listening to shortwave radio and started listening to and copying Morse Code QSOs on my Ten Tec Century 21. THIS IS WHAT WORKED FOR ME. I found it easier and more natural FOR ME to hear actual QSOs. Morse Code is a language and in order to fully learn it, I believe you have to immerse oneself in the language.
The written Novice exam was a piece of cake and in March 1983, I passed my Novice exam and on Field Day after 1983, the mailman delivered my Novice Class License of KB4FLC. On that day I continued my childlike mindset, settled into my little shack and jumped on the air during Field Day. I didn't break any records but thanks to others, I experienced ONE GREAT FIELD DAY as a newly licensed Ham Radio operator.
1983 Field Day Received 2nd Novice license this day
In 1984, I upgraded to General and in 1991 upgraded to Advanced while easily passing the EXTRA code requirement of 20 WPM but missed passing the EXTRA written exam by 2 questions which I had not studied for. after upgrading to Advanced, I can count the times on both hands I used Morse Code from 1991 - 2021.
It was during the COVID shutdown, I decided to upgrade to EXTRA, went back to my basis of equipment building and troubleshooting. I discovered Summits on the Air, Parks on the Air, and more importantly, rediscovered Morse Code.
Again FOR ME, I jumped right back into the fray of getting on the air, making tons of sending mistakes using both a straight key and paddle, missing all types of words when receiving and asking for a lot of repeats. Thank God for the number of patient operators who worked with my ineptness. This is how I sounded on one session of sending CQ in 2021.
To me, this sounded horrific. However, I was not going to let my slow sending, along with sending "agn" and "QRS" prevent me from improving my new Morse Code Journey down the BRICK road. Like I did on that "Field Day" in 1983, I jumped right back on the air and flung myself into LISTENING and speaking the language of Morse Code again.
Now as I approach 3/4 of a century on this earth, for me the pitfalls of relearning something or learning something new is only dependent of my ability to establish a consistent routine of practice in order achieve some positive consistency. To date more than 95% of my QSOs are Morse Code. And I still practice using a straight key just as I did as a pre-teen.
As I look back at the start (the 50's) of my Morse Code Journey Down the BRICK Road;there were likely less than a handful of resources available to learn Morse Code. One take away I got from VE6LK Vince's "One CW Question" is the outstanding operator's TIPS which are given in Vince's series. All of which are valuable and great. The great thing is all of the tips are not right and all are not wrong. What works for one may not work for someone else. Everyone learns at a different pace, different method and different concept. That's what is so GREAT about the MANY resources available today versus when I started my Morse Code Journey. The list is endless. They key is find the one which works for you and don't stop until you find the one that suits you..
My only advice is learn like a child who is fearless and has not been stained by negatively. You may face obstacles but don't let that, or others or the adult in you create doubt that you are incapable of beginning your Morse Code Journey Down The "BRICK" Road.
What a day! A once in a lifetime experience. Although the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve POTA site in Louisville, KY. USA is about 40 miles south of a totally region, I was able to experience 99.3 % of totality. Health concerns prevented me from traveling those 40 miles to an area of complete totality but what I did experience was equally awe striking.
For months I had planned to operate at a Parks on the Air site during the eclipse. My plan was to operate QRP with my Yaesu FT-817 C, SSB and FT8 using my Signalink and Panasonic FZ-G1 Toughpad and my Buddipole Deluxe Antenna System. I wanted to see if the eclipse would have any effect operating QRP. The FT-817 gave me several band options and the Buddipole Antenna in dipole configuration would be easily tunable on all bands 40 - 10 meters. I've compiled enough data and spent enough time with my Buddipole Antenna System all I need is a tape measure to tune it on all bands. With a tape measure I can usually get it resonant to 1:15:1 by adjusting the whips as I have pre-set the coils taps for 40 - 10 meters.
However, when I woke up on Eclipse day, Monday April 8, 2024, I had an epiphany. Why limit myself to the FT817. Why not operate three stations simultaneously. I had the rigs, had the power (batteries) and the antennas. What a neat plan!
So here's was the setup:
Yaesu FT-817 QRP for SSB, CW optional 2 meters
12V 3Ah Bioenno Battery
Buddipole Deluxe Antenna in Dipole Configuration
QRP Labs 20 meter QRP QCX mini for WSPR
9v 200mAh Battery
Tufteln 20 Meter vertical
QRP Labs 80 - 20 Meter QDX Digital for FT8
12V 3Ah TalentCell Battery
QRP 40 - 10 Meter EFHW
Panasonic FZ-G1 Toughpad with GPS Dongle
I loaded up my Touring bike and headed to my usual POTA site Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US-7956 Louisville, KY, USA to setup and start my Solar Eclipse 2024 experience.
SURLY Long Haul Trucker Bicycle
I quickly setup my Buddipole in a diople configuration with the other antennas attached to the top of my Buddipolle mast in an area where I wouldn't be an obstacle to others who would take advantage of the beautiful weather to observe the 99.3% of the eclipse totality over the Louisville, KY. USA area. The setup was very quick as you can view below.
After the raising the Buddipole in a diploe configuration with the Tufteln vertical and QRP EFHW attached o the top of te mast, I checked the SWR with my Nano VNA and found it to be 1.15:1 for the entire CW portion of 20 meters.
Because everything was within arms reach, even though they were on the ground, for a short time I was able to operate all stations simultaneously. The QCX Mini was automatically running in WSPR mode, the QDX was running by itself. All I needed to do was make a quick click to log a QSO and with the attachedpilot kneeboard and using my CW Morse SP4 paddle, Morse Code operation was Eezy Peezy.
I had all of my antennas set up in an orientation along the U.S. path of the eclipse., I wanted to see if the eclipse was going to have any effects with transmitting and / or receiving.
My 20 meter QCX Mini WSPR using 9V 200 mW received well all along the U.S. path of the eclipse with receptions reports in the U.S., eastern Canada, Central America and Europe.
The BIG surprise for me came with the operation of the QDX on 20 meters with 5 watts. I was amazed at the WSJT-X waterfall. It was lite up like a Christmas tree. I knew my little QRP signal did not stand a chance as it was difficult to find an area to squeeze into to transmit. There were countless stations calling "CQ POTA" and "CQ SEQP" (CQ Solar Eclipse QSO Party) However, I was able to sneak in a couple of FT8 QSOs (N0RC/KS) & W9NG/MS) Plus, I had one incomplete QSO with VU3EFG/India. It was nice to see all of the FT8 activity.
There was lots of activity for SSB on 20, 17 and 15 meters. Lots of QRO stations. Called "CQ" for several minutes but again my QRP signal could not break through crowded band conditions. Additionally, I work SSB so little, some may have thought someone else was using my callsign. "hi hi"
Most of my operating was CW. Most of my time was spent on 20 meters with a few 15 meter contacts and several "CQ" calls on 17, 12, 10 meters. There was plenty of hunters taking advantage of modest 20 meter band conditions. I was appreciative of the amount of new to me HUNTERS like a DX from F4ILH- Jean Baptiste and equally thankful for some of my familiar Hunters. W2AEQ - Alan / K9IS - Steve / VE1CNS-Bryne / AA0IW - David and1st time hunter for me AE6Z - C.W.
The highlight of this day's Parks on the Air activation was a CW QSO with N5KT - Gerald as the eclipse passed over him in Texas and 8 minutes later with W0YEM - Nick, as the eclipse passed over me in Kentucky. USA. EPIC!
There was enough activity to keep me busy for many hours but I spent a lot of time communing with others around me and partaking of this epoch celestial moment in time.
April 8, 2024 will be one of those Parks on the Air activations I'll never forget
A year ago I purchased and built a QCX Mini (40 Meter version) QRP CW transceiver from QRPLabs. My main reason for this purchase was the small nature of the radio. A subsequent added reason was its capacity to operate with 9 volts.
Over the last year I have used this rig several times using a 9 volt / 200 mah battery. Most recently August 26th and 27th, 2023 during a Parks on the Air activation.
On those two days the Terrestrial weather was extremely HOT with daytime high temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. My activations on those two days were at or near sunrise. Even at sunrise it was warm, humid and muggy with sunrise temperatures hovering in the low 80's.
However, the Space weather was working in my favor with the SFI at 139, A index of 6, K index of 2, Sun Spot number of 70, and Solar Winds of 380. The noise of the HF bands was relatively quiet.
My antenna for both days was my 40/20 Meter Linked End Fed Half Wave antenna I constructed from Tufteln. Joshua / N5FY has a nice selection of antenna and other ham radio related accessories. Visit his site here https://www.tufteln.net/
I wanted to get this antenna as close to vertical as possible so I used 150 feet of Weaver Arborist Throw Line and a 14 ounce weight to get it as high as possible into a tree.
Here is how I launched my line into this tree. Its an awkward backward between my legs and over my head throw which works very well for me.
Once my antenna was up well over 50 feet into the tree, I setup as much as possible in the shade and within less than two minutes of calling CQ, I received my first QSO.
My station is so small it fits on a kneeboard from Tufteln which hold my rig, paddle, battery, audio recorder and notepad for logging.
My setup is simple, light and what I consider to be small which can fit in a small backpack. The heaviest item of my setup is the arborist throw line and weight.
Due to the heat, I only operated about an hour on August 26th and 27th. Both days were on 40 meters with 1 watt or less. Here are maps of QSOs for both days.
August 26, 2023
August 27, 2023
All in all it was a fun two days of operating QRPp, 1 watt and less using a 9 Volt battery you'll find in your home smoke detector. And if you do decide to try this type of operation, please DO NOT REMOVE the battery from your smoke detector
Recently I made a Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon post stating I had purchased a new radio after saying I wasn't going to buy another radio. I just couldn't let this radio go to someone else. Before revealing what radio it is let me briefly explain why I purchased this radio.
Many are aware I do all of my Parks on the Air activations via one of my bicycles. But few know that I'm a bicycle tourist and have done some ham radio operating during most of my bicycle tours. For almost 10 years my bike touring rig has been the FT 817, Key, mic, Z817 Auto-tuner, 12V 3A LiFePO battery, 80-10 meter Random Length (9:1) unun, plus throw weight and paracord. Excellent radio for bicycle touring. However, I'm always trying to find ways to cut weight and space while bike touring. Since I'm a diabetic, I generally burn about 3000 daily calories on my multi day bike tours, I eat a lot, a whole lot while riding, so food takes up a lot of space in my panniers. So I decided to create more space for next year's bike tours.
My choice is a YouKits HB-1B (MK3 version) covering 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters.
YouKits HB-1B Transceiver
This super rig along with a 40,30,20,17,and 15 meter linked dipole I'm constructing from 26 AWG HOT PINK wire for dipole with RG174 coax, Weaver Leather Arborist throw line weight and the SP4 POTA/SOTA Mini Morse Code Paddle along with a LiFePo 12v 3 Ah battery will fit very snug in one of my panniers.
So the suspense is over. Happy Holidays and thanks to all of the wonderful people of PARKS on the Air and POTA hunters who make my Ham on a Bike POTA activations possible.
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