64-Contacts Spanning 6-Bands, 8-Nations, 3-Continents Utilizing A 17m Coaxial-Sleeve Vertical Dipole

October 29, 2024

18

Gee, the title nearly tells the entire story. However probably not. The title is the place I ended up; how I obtained there, is the story.

Right here’s the story.

At this time, I hope to activate Fintry Protected Space CA-3505 in southern British Columbia.

Considered one of my aims since I began POTA final 12 months is to attempt to activate as many parks as I can within the Okanagan area of BC that haven’t but been activated by anybody. Nothing like a superb problem. I count on that the majority of them haven’t been activated as a result of they’re fairly distant and tough to entry except one has a real off-road all-terrain car. Even at that, typically it nonetheless requires backpacking-in, in addition (no pun meant). That is partly as a result of most of the Protected Areas and Ecological Reserves should not at all times straight accessible by car. The roads usually don’t enter the park boundaries in any respect. They get you shut, after which you might want to hoof-it in to be POTA legit contained in the park boundaries.

Fintry Protected Space has by no means been activated earlier than, by anybody. I’m questioning why? In comparison with lots of my previous activations, it isn’t almost as tough to entry as some others I’ve been to.

The placement in Fintry CA-3505 that I will probably be activating in the present day is positioned a couple of 1-hour drive north of Kelowna, BC (the place I dwell) by way of West Kelowna. The final part of journey is by way of tough gravel roads.

Driving north of West Kelowna on the Westbank Rd, overlooking Lake Okanagan, is a little bit of a curler coaster journey with little or no room for error subsequent to steep cliffs. I really dread driving this highway. I even equate a part of this highway to a go-cart observe which may be very twisty-windy.

That is the place we exit Westside Rd onto Terrace Mountain Rd, which results in Fintry Protected Space. We comply with the gravel highway for one more ~2.2 Km.

This bumpy gravel highway has its share of twists and turns subsequent to steep drop-offs.

As this signal factors out, we’re presently contained in the Protected space boundaries. Nonetheless, this location simply doesn’t attraction to me in any respect, for numerous causes. I don’t assume it’s an amazing location for radio propagation functions, and the surroundings is nothing to write down residence about. I’m going to hunt somewhat extra elevation with a view that I can take pleasure in whereas I function for five hours or so.

Fintry Protected Space roadside map – CA-3505 Tip: Click on on photographs to enlarge views.

The subsequent 1.5 Km on this highway is definitely outdoors the protected space boundary. So, I must discover a highway entry level to get me again into, or very near the boundary. As soon as once more, I closely depend on my Garmin GPS for locating my approach round.

Some time later, I discover entry into the protected space.

Capable of drive simply contained in the Protected Space boundary.

A really quick distance in, we discover a spot to tug over and park. Not a very good working spot for my part.

Pull over to park simply contained in the park boundary.

Then, we choose to hoof-it in a brief distance to a hill crest that gives beautiful views overlooking Lake Okanagan, dealing with East.

Georgios views overlooking Lake Okanagan.

It’s round 09:00 PDT because the solar begins to work its approach up the horizon. The mornings are a bit on the cool aspect as we enter the second-half of September.

My spouse Alexis (VE7LXE) assists with packing-in the lounging furnishings, meals and water.

That Ponderosa Pine tree on the left is my prime suspect for launching my antenna system.

This hill crest location ought to present good radio propagation to the south and east horizons.

Having fun with the morning views earlier than unpacking.

As Alexis units up the Helinox furnishings, I begin unpacking my POTA pack.

Determination time; what antenna ought to I deploy in the present day?
The N9SAB 20m or 17m dipoles, or my 17m novel homebrew coaxial-sleeve vertical dipole?

Tip: Click on on photographs for bigger views.

The N9SAB dipoles have served me effectively previously 12 months. However in the present day I’m going to go together with my homebrew coaxial-sleeve dipole. It’s experimental and I’m nonetheless making an attempt to resolve if it’s definitely worth the area it takes up in my pack or SUV. It’s coiled-up within the higher proper nook of the picture.

Time to boost the antenna system.

Aiming the arborist throw bag for as excessive as doable.

It took me three or 4 tries to get the throw bag and arbor-line up as excessive as I can probably throw. I’m guessing I made it up about 35’ with the 8 oz throw bag.

A little bit maneuvering was required to get the road to clear snags with the decrease tree branches as I hoist up the vertical sleeved dipole.

I slowly hoist-up the vertical dipole.
As soon as up, I at all times elevate and slant the underside of the vertical in the direction of the SE to barely elevate the radiation angle for presumed finest protection of the south-east USA.

Okay; the 17m band antenna is raised and oriented and the Helinox furnishings is located.

As common, I begin on the 20m bread-n-butter band to seize my first 10 contacts. Then I discover the opposite HF bands. The KX3 doesn’t appear to have any downside tuning throughout any of the bands, 40m via 10m. So, I’m good to go.

I’ll be working the KX3 CW at 10W and utilizing the KXPD2 paddle for my keyer; that is my typical MO.

Within the meantime, Alexis will probably be spending the remainder of the day enjoyable, studying her eBooks, and having fun with the views whereas I disturb the peace with a lot of CW noise.

Alexis is enjoyable, studying, and going for walks whereas I activate.

Right here is my play-by-play account of how the subsequent 5 hours went.

My first 20m contact was at 17:04 UTC (10:04 PDT) with W4SK in TN. Off to a superb begin with 5 contacts in 5 minutes. Then the band took a flip (or the chasers took a nap), and it took nearly an hour to seize my subsequent 5 contacts. The ten^th contact of the morning got here at 18:13 UTC (11:13 PDT) with N0HC in CO (P2P). I had a good unfold of protection together with NC, TN, MA, IL, ON, UT, and CA.

Now that I’ve crammed my 20m quota, time to maneuver up the band.

Now that I’ve fulfilled my 20m quota, it’s time to maneuver on to 17m and see who’s hanging-out there. 17m is turning into my favourite band. It might be good if extra individuals hung-out there, too.

The primary 17m contact is at 18:31 UTC with KG2MM in FL.
Over the subsequent 40 minutes I log 15 contacts on 17m together with NJ, FL, OK, NC, WI NY, SC, NM, GA, MN, MD, and VA.
However wait, there’s extra! My bonus contact for this band is with IK4IDF in ITALY. Did I point out 17m is turning into my favourite band?

Half-way via my 17m session, my Pixel cellphone misplaced Web, so I couldn’t do any extra self-spotting. However that didn’t appear to matter as propagation appears superb in the present day and the reverse beacons had been continuously recognizing me.

Now I’m questioning – might 15m band be simply pretty much as good? Let’s discover out….

I log my first 15m contact at 19:17 UTC with KF9LI in TX.
Seems that 15m is treating me superb in the present day with 16 contacts over a 40-minute interval overlaying TX, ON, FL, OH, MI, WI, IN, and LA. I appear to be getting good easterly hops in the present day.

However wait, there’s extra! My 15m bonus contacts in the present day are ON4VT in Belgium, and DL1AX in Germany.
I’m undoubtedly getting good easterly hops now.

It’s time to see if the 12m band is displaying any promise this afternoon.

I’m Impressed – 12m is hopping too.
Beginning at 20:01 UTC, I land KB3AAY in MD. Numerous good propagation to the east coast… and past. Over a 20-minute interval, I landed 11 contacts in complete for the 12m band with MD, VA, SC, LA, NY, GA, and DE. Nonetheless nice propagation to the east coast from the pacific northwest.

However wait, there’s extra! The bonus contacts for 12m are EA1AF in SPAIN, and OH1MM in FINLAND! My first Finland!

The DX in the present day is retaining me motivated.

For the ultimate frontier of todays’ journey – 10m.
In latest weeks, I haven’t had any contacts on 10m throughout my different activations. Will in the present day be any totally different?

Sure, 10m is open for enterprise!
Beginning at 21:02 UTC I log W2QL in VA. Over the subsequent 1-hour and 10-minutes I log a complete of 10, 10m contacts together with SC, NC, VA, TX, UT, and NJ. Coast-to-coast propagation is kind of good this afternoon.

However, wait, there’s extra! I used to be so stunned once I heard Thomas, K4SWL, reply my CQ. I didn’t know Thomas frolicked on 10m!

(Word: This journey came about earlier than Hurricane Helene hit the Gulf states and NC. Our ideas and heartfelt finest needs exit to Thomas, household, and communities affected by this tragedy.)

Then, as my remaining bonus contact for the day on 10m, I bagged CE3FZL in Chile!

I don’t have way more time left earlier than I must pack-up and head out. So, I rapidly head right down to the 30m band simply to see if I can choose something up there. I haven’t had a lot luck on 30m on latest activations.

On 30m, I rapidly land 2 contacts. First with KN7D in UT at 22:12 UTC after which W6ZKH in CA.

It’s time to name it a day.

The tally for the day is 64 contacts spanning 6-bands, 8-countries, and 3-continents. (After all, that features USA and Canada.)

Nice coast-to-coast propagation and past (and Thomas, K4SWL).

Not a nasty POTA days work, in any respect. Even when it did take me simply over 5-hours to finish. That is a median of just about 13 contacts/hour. Not a pace information set right here, for positive.

I feel this, up to now, has been my finest POTA day for DX. Photo voltaic cycle 25 appeared to be doing its job in the present day.

The contact maps beneath present a close-up view and an expanded view.