by Teri (KO4WFP) It is said that all good things must come to an end and a POTA trip is no exception. Packing up camp at Reed Bingham State Park the morning of June 3rd was an easy endeavor.  Daisy and I were soon headed toward Savannah with a POTA planned along the way at … Continue reading The POTA Babe Reaches the Halfway Mark! →

After a valid activation and exploration of Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area, Daisy and I headed to Reed Bingham State Park (US-2195), roughly a two hour drive. Along the way, we passed a huge lumber mill and drove through the communities of Douglas, Nashville, and Willacoochee. Reed Bingham State Park, located in southwest Georgia, is … Continue reading Overnight at Reed Bingham State Park for the POTA Babe →

On the morning of Wednesday, May 15, 2024, I woke up, grabbed breakfast, and headed to Strouds Run State Park in Athens, Ohio. (You can read about that activation in my previous field report.) Once I returned to Eric’s (WD8RIF) QTH, Eric, his son Miles (KD8KNC), and I packed up the car for the drive … Continue reading Overcoming Band Conditions: A Challenging (But Rewarding) POTA Activation at Scioto Trail State Park! →

by Teri (KO4WFP) It is summer break and I’m getting stir crazy. Earlier this year, I scheduled an overnight trip to Reed Bingham State Park. However, given the chaos of my personal life, it was necessary to reschedule the trip. The earliest weekend available was Sunday, June 2nd.  My son would be out of school … Continue reading The POTA Babe Embarks on an Overnighter →

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, I drove to the Hickory, NC area to visit my father, who had recently been released from the hospital and was starting rehab at a skilled nursing facility. I had a busy afternoon planned back home in the mountains, but I couldn’t resist squeezing in a quick POTA activation! Many … Continue reading Soggy POTA: Pairing the Elecraft KX2 and AX1 Amidst Flaky Propagation! →

by Teri (KO4WFP) Those of you who follow my articles know I generally activate in the morning. However, as school just let out for my son, we’ve transitioned to a summer schedule and that means horseback riding lessons are now in the morning. With my afternoons uncommitted, I’d like to give hunters who may miss … Continue reading A Pretty Picnic for the POTA Babe →

Many thanks to Jim (WU3K) who shares the following guest post: Jim Kayaks to Janes Island by Jim (WU3K) On Sunday, April 28th, 2024 I set out for Janes Island State Park (US-1580) near Crisfield, MD to activate my first POTA. I have always enjoyed chasing POTA stations, but decided it was time to activate … Continue reading Field Report: Jim Kayaks to Janes Island →

The 2024 Dayton Hamvention is in the books! This morning, I’m still at our hotel in Dayton, Ohio, but about to pack up and head out. Eric (WD8RIF), Miles (KD8KNC), and I are heading for a day at the Armstrong Aerospace Museum, then, hopefully, a POTA activation on the way back to Athens, Ohio, where … Continue reading Post-Hamvention Activation with Friends →

by Teri (KO4WFP) by (Wednesday, May 15th, Glenn W4YES and I decided to activate a new park for me – Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area (US-3773), a wildlife management area (WMA) along the Altamaha River next door to my last activation – Penholoway Swamp WMA. We arrived at a decent hour (9 AM) and ahead of … Continue reading A Glancing Blow for the POTA Babe →

In May 2022, my buddy Eric (WD8RIF), his son Miles (KD8KNC), and I opted to skip Hamvention that year and, instead, plan an extended weekend POTA campout in West Virginia. Although attending the 2022 Hamvention was a tempting idea, I had already committed to a two-month family camping trip to Québec, Canada, scheduled to begin … Continue reading From the Activation Archives: Pairing the Elecraft KX2 and MPAS 2.0 at Babcock State Park →

In May 2022, my buddy Eric (WD8RIF), his son Miles (KD8KNC), and I opted to skip Hamvention that year and, instead, plan an extended weekend POTA campout in West Virginia. Although attending the 2022 Hamvention was a tempting idea, I had already committed to a two-month family camping trip to Québec, Canada, scheduled to begin … Continue reading From the Activation Archives: Pairing the Elecraft KX2 and MPAS Lite at Little Beaver State Park →

On Friday, April 26, 2024, I dropped in on a POTA site I hadn’t visited in months: South Mountains State Park (US-2753). The Clear Creek Access area–on the north west side of the park–is the quickest POTA detour for me as I travel from Asheville to Hickory along the I-40 corridor. In my previous field … Continue reading POTA at South Mountains: Wet Weather, Flaky Bands, but Brilliant Field Radio Fun! →

by Teri (KO4WFP) Now that life has settled down, it is time to return to my 60 new-to-me park activations goal for 2024. I currently stand at 24 out of the 60. For #25 on the list, I chose Penholoway Swamp Wildlife Management Area (US-3767) outside of Jesup, Georgia. This park is a one-and-a-half hour … Continue reading The POTA Babe Resumes Pursuit of Her Goal →

Those of you that read the final article for my spring-break Florida POTA trip know that I recently reconciled with someone dear to me. This man, Glenn W4YES, has moved to Savannah, Georgia and we are in a relationship. He is a CW op and the person behind CW Innovations’ Comprehensive ICR course. He knows … Continue reading The POTA Babe Gets a Partner! →

Gorgeous weather and a bit of free time? Perfect chance for a POTA activation! On Thursday, April 18, 2024, I was enjoying a break before picking up my daughter from French class – why not grab my rig and head for the Parkway? No picnic tables today–I wanted a simple setup under the trees with … Continue reading Testing the HF Waters: A High Band Bust During this Parkway POTA? →

Lately, it’s been a proper challenge to get out and activate. I’ve had a number of projects that have kept me at home working and when I do head out the door, my timing has been tight. While I love squeezing in park activations when I’m otherwise busy running around town, I also never activate … Continue reading When Plans Change: A Relaxing “Plan B” POTA Activation at Lake James State Park →

Day 3 of my spring-break Florida POTA trip began well. Those of you who read my “A Confession from the POTA Babe” article know my personal life has been anything but settled as of late. Two weeks prior to the trip, I experienced a traumatic break with a close friend and partner. I hoped this … Continue reading The POTA Babe Goes Back to Florida – Day 3 →

Day 2 of my spring-break Florida POTA trip began well. The night before, I left the rain fly off one corner of the tent, the one out of which I could look when lying on my Thermarest pad listening to the bird song all around us. There must be something about being outside because I … Continue reading The POTA Babe Goes Back to Florida – Day 2 →

Many thanks to Bill (KG4FXG) who shares the following guest post: Return to the Office:  Operating portable during coffee breaks (Atlanta to England) by Bill Carter (KG4FXG) Have you ever thought about operating from your work location?  Perhaps during lunch or a coffee break?  What if that location was downtown in a big city? In … Continue reading 16th Floor QRP: Coffee break portable at the office →