POTA Repeat Offender and SKCC WES
The monthly running of the Straight Key Century Clubβs Weekend Sprintathon (WES) contest was this weekend. I needed two more activations at Marsh Creek State Park for a POTA βRepeat Offenderβ award, so I headed out both Saturday and Sunday for POTA/WWFF activations and to make a few WES contacts.
We had some outstanding weather here in southeastern Pennsylvania, so I knew Marsh Creek (US-1380, KFF-1380) was going to be pretty busy. Given that, I headed out early on Saturday morning. I found a parking spot in the boat launch area, but the parking lot was filling up fast.Β
My trusty Penntek TR-35 was the perfect rig for this weekend. The TR-35βs separate straight key and paddle inputs let me instantly switch between the two without having to make configuration changes in the radio. I also went with my usual 12-foot whip and homebrew loading coil.Β
The 40M band was alive and well, so I spent most of my time there. I alternated between calling βCQ POTAβ with the paddles and searching and pouncing SKCC WES stations with my little MS2 straight key. In about an hour of operating, I logged 26 contacts. Among those were three park-to-park QSOs and six SKCC WES QSOs.Β
As great as the weather was on Saturday, it was even better on Sunday. I wanted to attend my grandsonβs hockey game, so I went out even earlier this time and kept it even shorter. Even though I got an earlier start than the day before, the parking lot was even more crowded this time around.Β
Once again, 40M was in excellent shape, and I ended up staying there for the duration. I logged 19 contacts in about 45 minutes, with three park-to-park and three more WES contacts. Then it was time to head home to take care of a few things before going to the soccer game.
In the end, I didnβt set any records in the WES contest, but I got in the two activations needed for my Repeat Offender award.Β
72, Craig WB3GCK