by Vince (VE6LK)
On Sunday July 28 I wanted some shortwave remedy. I headed west from Longview Alberta to discover a location on Freeway 541 the place I may have the proper convergence of getting cell service and be inside a POTA entity and close to to the mountains. This might enable me to obtain any updates a few member of the family (none occurred) whereas getting a break from dwelling and to play radio.
Alongside the drive I took time to take heed to the IARU beacons and was happy to listen to bits of VK and ZL on 15m so I used to be hopeful that my plan for 2 QRP activations -one CW and one SSB- would achieve success.
I’d uncover simply how tough it was on the second activation … however I’m getting forward of myself.
Activation One: Sentinel PRA
After some driving round and testing cell service at a couple of roadside factors, I landed up on the Sentinel Provincial Recreation Space which is simply contained in the boundary of Kananaskis Nation. This might provide me the luxuries of a bench or desk together with a surprising view. Whereas it’s not a novel entity itself within the POTA system, it’s a part of the bigger CA-6112 that’s Ok-Nation.
Sentinel PRA is on the confluence of the Highwood River and Cataract Creek and is, like many on this space, an equestrian-focused facility. Not like many, it’s mixed-use so day-users like me are additionally welcome right here. Upon my arrival I used to be lucky to see a couple of equestrian customers heading out of the backcountry. What was uncommon to this city-raised child was the coated wagon a small workforce was pulling. Maybe the workforce was coaching for a future cattle drive?
I arrange my cameras and my radio gear and started working at a park bench overlooking the river. I launched a video of the river appropriate for background white noise and to practise your Zen and/or Yoga.
I secured my carbon-fibre mast to the bench, used a small weight to carry down the 17′ counterpoise, and deployed the 41′ principal phase out to a ten′ fishing pole lashed to an indication close by. I used my carrying totes (generally used for groceries) as a makeshift desk. All of it labored out nicely sufficient. I started my CW activation at 5 watts.
I did a fundamental video of the activation which you’ll be able to see right here:
13 contacts and about 20 minutes later at 1930UTC, I referred to as it a wrap and packed all the things down to go to my subsequent website. I wouldn’t say that circumstances had been stunningly good or something, and a few had been downright onerous to repeat whereas others had been extremely loud. Given what I heard of the IARU Beacons on 20, 17 and 15m I wasn’t too shocked. I’d afterward be taught that meant some photo voltaic motion had occurred as you’ll see on this chart.
Activation Two: Bar-U Ranch NHS
About an hour’s drive from my final cease and simply south of Longview is the Bar-U Ranch Nationwide Historic Web site (CA-4774). It’s a working ranch and it takes you again to the late 1800s when you set foot past the gate. As I’m pretty sure the Ranch would take a dim view to radio know-how past the gate, I operated within the customer car parking zone. As soon as once more, I arrange my cameras and kit and started working.
For this activation, I used my drive-on mast assist and 28′ Flagpole-to-go for a centre assist, the fishing rod and rod holder for the far finish of the 41′ phase, and the 17′ phase was easy mounted tethered to the headache rack on my truck. A brightly colored outsized umbrella completely complimented the look of all the things as I operated off the tailgate of my truck. One particular person within the car parking zone requested me what greens I used to be promoting! I set the radio to 10 watts, plugged within the mic, checked for present spots and started calling.
You possibly can see a full video of the activation right here, however to be truthful there was a variety of enhancing within the video the place I removed me calling CQ for minutes and minutes on finish with no responses. In the event you’ve by no means skilled photo voltaic storm circumstances, take a take heed to the video and also you’ll hear it your self.
So I obtained my first caller at 2111UTC. Now take a look at the chart up above and examine the occasions … sure, pricey reader, one other flare had hit half an hour earlier than I started. I didn’t notice this after I started calling, nonetheless I definitely observed the complete lack of atmospheric noise in my receiver. This is likely one of the hallmarks of a flare occasion that you simply’ll suppose your antenna is disconnected. You possibly can hear it within the video plain as day too. For me it was a stark comparability to the activation solely two hours earlier.
One other hallmark was that a number of callers reported me as loud however they had been barely above the noise flooring to me. Or they had been so loud it made me leap after they referred to as. This activation was a lot of labor as I took to looking greater than calling to get my 11 within the log. Nonetheless, 40 minutes after beginning I ended it, packed up and headed dwelling. For a ten watt SSB activation, this total end result was ridiculously good.
It will not be practically nearly as good because the activation I did on August 5 … however that will probably be one other story for positive.
What I realized alongside the best way
Poor photo voltaic circumstances make for difficult occasions however in the end make you a extra skilled operator. N4JAW’s “Ham on a Bike” weblog lists many web sites that he makes use of to find out his plan for his activation that day, and there are some wonderful assets listed there all of us can use. A little bit of energetic listening whereas en route -or earlier than departing- together with take a look at circumstances will help you to plan for achievement.
Or do it as I did this present day and wing it. Both approach you’re out within the subject taking part in radio – and that beats a day within the workplace at any time!
Listing of substances used for these activations:
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Abstract
Don’t sweat the poor forecast, simply get out and play radio!
72 and dit dit,
…Vince
First launched to the magic of radio by a member of the family in 1969, Vince has been energetic within the passion since 2002. He’s an Accredited examiner in Canada and the USA, operates on virtually all the modes, and is regularly engaged on making his CW proficiency suck much less. He participates in public service occasions round Western Canada and is energetic on the air whereas glamping, cell, at dwelling or doing a POTA activation. You possibly can hear him on the Ham Radio Workbench podcast, comply with him on Twitter @VE6LK, take a look at his YouTube channel, and view the tasks and articles on his web site.
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