by Brian (K3ES)
I don’t know the way others really feel, however one of many issues that actually appeals to me in regards to the Parks on the Air (POTA) program is the sense of group that it encourages amongst taking part newbie radio operators. That is as true irrespective of how we take part. I’ve operators that I contemplate mates, despite the fact that I’ve by no means personally met them, as a result of I’ve hunted them throughout so a lot of their activations. I’ve different operator mates who’re acquainted as a result of they’ve hunted me throughout so a lot of my activations. Better of all, I’ve operator mates who I’ve additionally had the possibility to fulfill within the subject.
Throughout my cross-country highway journey (Six Weeks and 7300 Miles: Activating on the Street) I received to fulfill three kindred spirits via eyeball QSOs, as a result of we crossed paths in parks alongside the best way. On this article, I need to share the story of three surprising conferences on the highway.
I’ll confess that the purpose to activate the entire states alongside our route generally meant that we might take an intentional zig in our travels to cease at a park in a “close by“ state for a fast activation earlier than zagging again to our major route. Our go to to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Web site (US-5748) in North Dakota resulted from simply such a zig. After spending a pleasant couple of days visiting with my niece and her husband at their new house in Apple Valley, MN (simply south of Minneapolis), we deliberate our subsequent journey day to make a mid-day cease at Fort Abercrombie (alongside the MN-ND border, simply south of Fargo), earlier than turning south to spend the night time in Sioux Falls, SD.
We knew the park buildings at Fort Abercrombie could be closed, due to the season, and weren’t shocked to search out just one different automobile in parking space. With that stated, two surprises did catch our consideration. First, a well-recognized signal shared billing with the State Historic Web site, the medallion for the North Nation Path (US-4239), which I’ve activated a number of instances in Pennsylvania. That introduced an attention-grabbing alternative for a 2-fer activation. Second, wanting throughout on the different automobile, I rapidly noticed antennas and radio gear!
I walked over to the gentleman sitting subsequent to the open lift-gate of his SUV, and requested the common radio newbie query: “How are the bands right now?” Introductions rapidly ensued. Todd – NO0X puzzled if I have been one of many frequent activators on the website, which was positively not the case. He was ranked third for variety of activations on the website, and was trying to enhance his tally. He was operating an FT8 activation that day utilizing a vertical antenna, however he’s additionally a CW operator. I received a fast tour of his station. Then we talked in regards to the route of the North Nation Path via the positioning, and it turned out the path ran inside 100 ft of the positioning’s picnic pavilion.
So, I moved over to the pavilion to arrange my Elecraft KX2, with a Tufteln EFRW antenna supported in a close-by tree, however not earlier than inviting Todd to cease over to see my station.
On the air, I labored 26 contacts in slightly below an hour to finish the 2-fer activation of US-5748 and US-4239. When he stopped over, Todd introduced alongside his favourite straight key for subject use. Being a paddle man, I didn’t strive it out, however I definitely appreciated its small measurement and environment friendly design.
Having accomplished our activations, we packed our gear and parted firm. I completely loved the chance to fulfill a neighborhood activator, who knew the park, and had a distinctly completely different methodology of operation from my very own. Among the best issues about POTA activation is that there are virtually as many alternative working types as there are activators, and never one in all them is flawed!
Not like Fort Abercrombie, Devils Tower Nationwide Monument was the centerpiece of our day’s travels. We sought out that spectacular landmark for my first activation in Wyoming. Even so, our time at Devils Tower was restricted, as a result of we didn’t plan to spend the night time close by.
Our cease at US-0920 occupied a couple of pleasing hours on the afternoon of one in all our longest journey days of the journey. As a fast apart, touring with POTA canine Molly typically meant that Becky and I needed to take turns exploring the parks that we visited. This was a kind of events. Whereas we missed the sense of togetherness in experiencing the awe of the Devils Tower panorama, our cut up shifts truly helped use obtainable time extra effectively.
I took the primary shift to hike as much as and round Devils Tower, whereas Becky took Molly for her constitutional across the parking space. After I returned, Molly was able to supervise my POTA activation from the truck, whereas Becky had her flip to soak up the superb views.
Because it was a brilliant afternoon, I made a decision to put on my wide-brimmed POTA hat for solar safety. The hat is embroidered with the POTA brand, my title, and callsign. As I walked the 1.4 mile path that circles the bottom of Devils Tower a gentleman strolling the opposite route alongside the path remarked about my hat, and requested if I deliberate to activate the park. Mike – W8MSC (a member of the POTA administrative staff) and I launched ourselves. I advised him that I deliberate to activate after my stroll. It turned out that he was tenting within the park, and could be activating later that afternoon. Like me, he was on a driving trip, activating parks alongside the best way. Sadly, with out Becky alongside, I didn’t get an image with Mike on the base of Devils Tower.
I completed my stroll, and arrange for a stealth activation from the truck. As soon as once more, I clamped the AX1 to the bottom of my VHF/UHF antenna on the fender, and tossed the counterpoise wire below the truck. I sat and operated from the drivers seat, with the KX2 and my log ebook on the middle console. Molly supervised from the passenger seat. I succeeded in making 15 QRP CW contacts earlier than Becky returned from her stroll. One other profitable activation was within the books.
Our journey was coming to an in depth, and we crossed from Missouri again into Illinois, having activated the entire new states alongside our pathway. We had been enthusiastic about plans and stops for the ultimate days of the journey, and we realized how effectively it had labored to cease at a park for a mid-day activation to interrupt up the drive. So we determined to proceed planning the remainder of our journey that manner, despite the fact that I had already activated the states that we might be passing via.
And so we discovered ourselves driving into Fort Harrison State Park close to Indianapolis, IN round lunchtime on our next-to-last day of driving. A map and a little bit of analysis advised me that there have been two picnic areas within the park the place I may arrange for a 2-fer activation of Fort Harrison SP and Lawrence Creek State Nature Protect. We checked the primary picnic space, and located it crowded with lunch-time picnickers, cyclists, and walkers, so Becky advised that we transfer on the the second location.
What an awsomely superb thought Becky had! There have been empty parking areas, empty picnic tables, and even one other POTA activator.
Paul – AD9EG was arrange and working FT8 once we pulled up. Whereas speaking in regards to the park, POTA activating, and our working experiences, Paul and I came upon that we had a lot in frequent. He had simply returned from a driving journey to activate parks in a few of the western states we had traveled. He was a present pupil within the Complete Instantaneous Character Recognition course supplied by CW Improvements, the identical course that had actually helped me enhance my capabilities (even now I’m making ready to assist Teri – KO4WFP coach one of many upcoming January 2025 lessons).
After a pleasant dialog, I moved a bit away from Paul to keep away from interference, tossed a throw line over a tree department, and arrange my Tufteln EFRW antenna. I used to be on the air quickly after, and completed the 2-fer activation with 23 QRP CW contacts on the 20m and 40m bands.
One of many 20m contacts got here from AD9EG, who had a terrific sign. It sounded virtually like he was in the identical park. Oh wait, he was! Thanks for the contact Paul! After calling QRT, I packed up my station, stopped by for a phrase of thanks and a handshake, and we have been on the highway once more heading to Ohio for our final night time on the highway.
Each time I meet up with one other POTA activator, whether or not in a park, at an space meetup, or at a hamfest, it all the time looks like a household reunion. I’m really grateful to Todd – NO0X, Mike – W8MSC, and Paul – AD9EG for his or her camaraderie on the highway. Surprising visits with different POTA fans all the time raise my spirits, and by no means extra so than when touring a good distance from house.
Greatest 73 de Brian – K3ES
