KK4LWR

In my last post I mentioned that a mobile POTA is not as fun as setting up at a picnic table. Well this is another mobile POTA, but I tried to make it feel a little more connected with nature.

While driving back from Jacksonville for a conference and before heading to Magic Kingdom with my wife (going to Disney World after an activation seems to be somewhat of a trend) on February 4th, I decided to stop an active a park. I wanted to pick something close to I95, but also something where I could have a greater connection to nature. I found Faver-Dykes State Park. What attracted me to this park is how it is not as popular and had a parking area in the woods by the water.

I had only 30 minutes or so for this activation, so mobile was key. I had my car setup within a few minutes of arriving. The weather was fantastic and I enjoyed exploring a little bit before getting on the air.

The bands were busy and I was able to secure 14 FT8 QSOs before needing to tear down. I’ve noticed I prefer FT8 while in parks. I think that is maybe the quiet that it affords me. I saw some deer and some birds during this activation. Had I been making noise doing SSB, I don’t think they would have gotten as close.

Overall this was a quick and exciting POTA activation. As my third activation, I’m starting to get the hang of POTA. I’m really liking the activation side. I have had a good portable power case that I use for Field Day, but I’m now developing a good setup for the radio and antennas.

For my next POTA activation I hope to bring back my satellite operating and see if I can do some satellite contacts. I have also been taking the CW Ops classes and hope to bring my (improving) CW skills to make contacts. I might try some CW on my next activation as I have a good portable key. For now I’ve been having a great time and looking forward to Hamcation. Hopefully I can connect with some POTA friends in person.

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I wasn’t able to get out for Winter Field Day, but I wanted to get out and do a quick POTA on Sunday 1/29. I had about an hour before a trip to Epcot with friends, so had to do a quick setup and tear down. I live near K-1893 Lake Louisa State Park in Florida and it make for a quick trip.

I keep a lip mount on my trunk for hamsticks and I keep a tote with my solar panels and battery and another tote with my radio and some other supplies. I tossed them in my Honda and was on my way. My brother Tony, KD8RTT had gotten me a Florida State Park Annual Pass for Christmas so I decided to put that to good use.

I was able to setup my FT8 station within minutes in my car and was on the air. I put my Solar Panel on the roof to supplement the battery, but I knew there was no way I would drain it in the hour or so I was at the park. I came ready with both 20 and 40 meter hamsticks, but I stuck to 20 meters. I immediately had a pileup running just 30 watts.

I ran FT8 for about an hour and made 28 QSOs. It was fun, actually quite challenging to keep up with things. Some folks hiked by on the trail and asked what I was doing and ended up in some great conversations. I might have missed replying to a few folks calling me on FT8 while I chatted about the hobby. (Sorry if I missed you!) FT8 was super successful with 3 park to park QSOs. (My first ever park to park QSOs!) I made sure to send them a QSL card as working park to park is both challenging and fun!

I wanted to make some SSB QSOs before I packed up. My mobile setup is a FT-857D and it was super easy to stand outside and enjoy the nice weather. I have an extension for the microphone and I have the control head setup on a custom made (and VERY long) remote cable. With the laptop on the hood of my car, I connected with two stations. My favorite being a challenging park to park QSO with AB9JT in Indiana. It was my first time working him and at only 30 watts, was a challenge. I could have bumped up the power, but I like a challenge.

So while it was a successful POTA, it wasn’t as fun as my first activation. For a quick trip, working from my car was fine, but I really enjoy the outdoor aspect of POTA and taking in the park. This wont be my last mobile POTA activation, especially with Lake Louisa so close to home. However, I will be putting in some extra effort to hike a little bit and find a picnic table to an area to sit on the ground and really enjoy both amateur radio and nature.

On October 23, 2022 I was able to activate K-1184 Placerita Canyon State Park in California. This was my first Parks on the Air activation!

I was traveling to California for work and decided to bring my satellite setup. While times never lined up for a good pass, I decided to go to a local park and get on HF. I also brought an end fed antenna and an ATU-100 antenna tuner. I’ll save my thoughts on the ATU-100 for an another post.

I setup at a picnic table, along with SignaLink and Evolve 3 computer to do FT8. Running 2.5 watts and running off the internal batteries of the FT-818, I was able to enjoy an afternoon on the air! Even with FT8, I had to work hard to make contacts. After a few hours, I secured my 10 QSOs in my log for the activation.

Overall I loved the challenge of QRP and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon outside. The Los Angeles area has some excellent parks and I have a few more on my list to explore. I’m looking forward to my next activation. Hunting is fun, but I think activating is the real POTA fun!