This event happens seasonally, on the 3rd full weekend of the month (Saturday & Sunday UTC). These are βactivity weekendsβ where the main purpose is to get out in the parks, and have as much fun as possible.
Winter β 3rd Full Weekend of January. January 18-19, 2025
Spring β 3rd Full Weekend of April. April 19-20, 2025
Summer β 3rd Full Weekend of July. July 19-20, 2025
Autumn β 3rd Full Weekend of October. October 19-20, 2024
Hope to get you in my Logs during the upcoming eventβ¦.
This event happens seasonally, on the 3rd full weekend of the month (Saturday & Sunday UTC). These are βactivity weekendsβ where the main purpose is to get out in the parks, and have as much fun as possible.
Winter β 3rd Full Weekend of January. January 18-19, 2025
Spring β 3rd Full Weekend of April. April 19-20, 2025
Summer β 3rd Full Weekend of July. July 19-20, 2025
Autumn β 3rd Full Weekend of October. October 19-20, 2024
Hope to get you in my Logs during the upcoming eventβ¦.
Remember yesterday when I mentioned the latest addition to my POTA setup, the Xiegu 5105 QRP rigβ¦.
Well this morning I decided to test it out and see how much work I would have to do with setting the parameters such as mic gain, processor, to make it sound like me⦠I was also testing out my EARCHI 9:1 unun with a 29.5 foot random wire to see how it would play with the built in AT of the 5105.
I figured I might as well do the testing at a POTA location just in case I was able to turn the test into an activation.
For this I chose Fort Frontenac POTA CA-5303. Its fairly easy to get there via the Kingston Transit system and its also close to downtown and all the amenities I might need. In the North East corner of the picture you will notice some white lines on the ground.
They are actually the walls of whatβs left of that part of the Fort. Also the only parts of the Historic Site that is open to the public.
I leaned my MFJ 33 foot mast (supporting the 9:1 and wire in the vertical configuration) up against the tree.
And then ran the COAX over to the remains of the wall and set up my radio there and started operating.
My first contact was on 7.255 with the NCS of the ECARS net. He did hear me and considering I was QRP I was pleased. He did tell me that my audio seemed hot as if I was overdriving things. Lowering my voice seemed to help.
After that I looked at POTA Spots and managed to get W2IDG and VE3FI into the log from their parks and then finished up with the NCS of the MidCars net on 7.258.. All contacts were made on 40m SSB. I tried 20 SSB and was hearing lots of stations including a POTA Activation in VO1 but no luck breaking any of the pileups.
Then I figured it was time to get home and try to re configure the radio to my liking⦠I turned off the Speech Processor and lowered the Mic Gain from 60 to 40. Over the next few days I will get out again and see what else I have to do to get things sounding right.
Remember yesterday when I mentioned the latest addition to my POTA setup, the Xiegu 5105 QRP rigβ¦.
Well this morning I decided to test it out and see how much work I would have to do with setting the parameters such as mic gain, processor, to make it sound like me⦠I was also testing out my EARCHI 9:1 unun with a 29.5 foot random wire to see how it would play with the built in AT of the 5105.
I figured I might as well do the testing at a POTA location just in case I was able to turn the test into an activation.
For this I chose Fort Frontenac POTA CA-5303. Its fairly easy to get there via the Kingston Transit system and its also close to downtown and all the amenities I might need. In the North East corner of the picture you will notice some white lines on the ground.
They are actually the walls of whatβs left of that part of the Fort. Also the only parts of the Historic Site that is open to the public.
I leaned my MFJ 33 foot mast (supporting the 9:1 and wire in the vertical configuration) up against the tree.
And then ran the COAX over to the remains of the wall and set up my radio there and started operating.
My first contact was on 7.255 with the NCS of the ECARS net. He did hear me and considering I was QRP I was pleased. He did tell me that my audio seemed hot as if I was overdriving things. Lowering my voice seemed to help.
After that I looked at POTA Spots and managed to get W2IDG and VE3FI into the log from their parks and then finished up with the NCS of the MidCars net on 7.258.. All contacts were made on 40m SSB. I tried 20 SSB and was hearing lots of stations including a POTA Activation in VO1 but no luck breaking any of the pileups.
Then I figured it was time to get home and try to re configure the radio to my liking⦠I turned off the Speech Processor and lowered the Mic Gain from 60 to 40. Over the next few days I will get out again and see what else I have to do to get things sounding right.
Field Day 2024 will be starting in 3 hours. In previous posts I had mentioned that I was either going to be operating as a 1B station or a 1D stations depending on the weather. βMother Natureβ helped me make the choiceand its not nice (or smart) to argue with Mother.
The choice is β1Dβ and if you read the following from The Weather Network you will see why.
Kingston, ON
Special Weather Statement
Issued atΒ Sat 8:59 AM Jun. 22
Issued by:Β Environment and Climate Change Canada
Description: Significant rainfall possible this afternoon into Sunday.
Hazard: Rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm. Locally higher amounts possible.
Timing: This afternoon into Sunday.
Discussion: The potential exists for multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into Sunday. Local amounts exceeding 50 mm are possible. A rainfall warning may be required for some areas.
For information concerning flooding, please consult your local Conservation Authority or Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office. Visit Ontario.ca/floods for the latest details.
Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
###
So there you have itβ¦.
Setting up in a Park to operate 1B in a Monsoon is one way to ruin my almost new FT891 seeing that as a general rule they donβt like water.
And to be honest it would not be fun for me either.
I still will be participating and hope to give out the rare exchange of 1D ONE to as many stations I can contact during the event. At home I have the chance to operate VHF, 6m, and the HF Bands that the Field Day rules allow.
Anyone who has been with me for awhile knows that every now and again βMurphyβ of Murphyβs Law fame comes for a visit.
Things here have been going fairly well (Ham Radio wise) recently. I have been able to some contacts (mostly 20m SSB) during the daytime and also in the evenings (mostly 40m SSB) and considering the band conditions I think thatβs pretty good.
But (and you know there had to be a βbutβ!
After making some evening 40m ssb contacts last night I shut off the power supply and left the shack. I came back to the shack and turned on the power supply and the radio would not turn on.
I did a quick check and the power supply now had an output of 4v dc. Not what I was expecting as before I shut it down it was steady at 13.5v dc which is normal for this unit.
I then took the cover off and could not smell the βmagic smokeβ and there was no visible issues on the board itself. No burn marks on the board, everything attached and no signs of any thing out of the ordinary.
I did have a backup PS so Iβm still on the air with a 25 amp unit rather than the 30 amp unit that now is a paperweight.
The replacement from βThe Toronto Toystoreβ will set me back around $220.00 after shipping/taxes, so it wonβt break the bank and they have one in stock so βfingers crossedβ.
So, this morning I look out into my backyard and notice the counterweight attached to the end of my βStealthy Inverted Lβ is laying on the ground. A quick check found that the wire itself was intact butβ¦. (yup but again) the wire had slipped off on of the branches that support the horizontal section of the wire. This does happen every now and again soβ¦. 30 minutes later Iβm back on the air.
The plan now is to see if the band comes to life (the numbers are looking good) and I can get (more than) a few contacts in the log.
.
Ending on a positive note I was able to contact VE3FI Bill as he activated POTA CA-2376 as part of his cross Canada tour. I guess the antenna is working after all that.