Many because of Todd (W2TEF) and Becky for sharing the next visitor publish:
by Todd Foster (W2TEF)
Initially licensed within the late 1990’s, I re-tested and obtained my ticket once more on the finish of 2023. In 2024 I found POTA, impressed by QRPer and elmered by Tom N2XTO and John K2ZA. All of the sudden this fall I discovered myself shut, tantalizingly shut, to working all of the POTA parks in New Jersey in 2024. Simply ten parks away!
However there was a barrier standing between me and Labored-All-Entities glory. It’s referred to as Ellis Island.
US-8061 Ellis Island is in New Jersey. Based on the POTA web site, it has solely been activated six instances, and solely as soon as with CW. Dave, K2DPH activated it final 12 months with 94(!) CW QSO’s. He was additionally the first-ever activator. I regarded him up on QRZ to ask his recommendation. Dave wrote again with heat encouragement. He advised of utilizing a bench because the apex of his end-fed-half-wave antenna. A compromise, however sufficient.
Ellis Island is, properly, an island. Although there’s a causeway, the general public can solely entry it by way of ferry. The identical ferry goes to each islands (Ellis and the Statue of Liberty). To board the ferry, one has to go by means of safety. They evaluate it to airport safety. They’ve [rules](https://www.nps.gov/elis/study/administration/security-standards-prohibited-items.htm).
I learn the foundations rigorously. My expertise of TSA and related safety is that it may be pretty arbitrary. Individuals are doing their jobs and might get in huge hassle for not following all of the protocols. Generally the protocols appear odd or don’t make sense to me. That doesn’t relieve the officers of their job of following them. Nevertheless it does imply that rather a lot can change relying on an officer’s temper or first impression. Whereas explaining Ham Radio is enjoyable with a curious by-stander, it may be much less so for an official who’s going to be reluctant to let go of something they don’t absolutely perceive. Contemplating the the reason why they’ve been requested to do their job, I’m grateful for his or her diligence!
What are the foundations for Ellis Island? No instruments, no weapons. No drawback, the multi-tool and the lighter keep behind. No amplified sound, together with radios. Hmmm…. I’ll go away my amplified speaker at dwelling and produce ear buds for the radio. I’m bringing a radio, however not a boom-box sort of radio. It has no speaker in any respect. No rope or climbing instruments are allowed, nor any sort of wire [that might be used to hang a sign or poster]. Yikes! I don’t thoughts ditching the arborist line: I had figured on not utilizing timber anyhow. However no wire? Does 30’ of skinny poly-stealth depend? Once more, I don’t wish to break the foundations. I don’t advocate breaking the foundations. The query is: how does one interpret the foundations? Who interprets the foundations? The safety officers interpret the foundations. They’re the gate-keepers who will determine if and with what gear I can activate Ellis Island.
It appeared essential to go to Ellis Island when it wasn’t the vacationer season: once I wouldn’t be getting in the best way of the crowds. I labored an extended week final week: no time without work. I made a decision to take a compensatory time without work on Tuesday, 12 November.
The climate forecast was for blustery winds and 52 levels – however sunny. Hopefully it might be the off-season (no Christmas crowds) and ugly sufficient to suppress the crowds much more. My beneficiant partner, Becky, was sport for the hunt. So we laid our plans. I scheduled an activation on the POTA web site with an enormous extensive time window. I didn’t know if I’d have cell service or not.
I cleaned out my POTA bag nearly completely. No spares, no extras, solely the naked necessities. One is none, however two is simply too many. My QRP-Labs QMX appears to be like like an previous walkman, particularly with ear buds wrapped round it. I’ve a battery theTodd (W2TEF)Liberty similar dimension and colour because the radio. Moreover these I deliver an influence cable (6”), antenna cable (16”), and EFHW on a DG1JAN Xota winder. I deliver a log e book with my FCC license taped within the entrance. The empty bag has loads of room left to pack my lunch!
My goal was to not sneak in contraband. I’ve no need to deliver prohibited objects wherever. However when somebody’s supervisor is trying down their shoulder, I wish to current as little trigger for concern as attainable. My objective is to not need to have the dialog. I left all the things packed frivolously in order that it might present up clearly within the X-ray. I eliminated the X-ray resistant bag (initially for movie, now used for radio cables). I would like all the things in safety to indicate up clearly and create no trigger for questions.
Additionally, I remembered a lightweight, collapsing digital camera tripod I purchased for a telescope as soon as. I take an antenna analyzer and my EFHW into the yard to see what’s going to occur. With the antenna draped over the tripod, however in any other case on the bottom, SWR could be very excessive. But when I connect the far finish of the antenna to my POTA bag (about 4” off the bottom) and the opposite finish to my working clipboard (at no matter top I’m utilizing it), and pull simply tight sufficient to maintain all of it off the bottom, the SWR falls to a really affordable 1.5 to 1.7. This I can work with.
Tuesday climate turned out as promised. Visitors was somewhat heavy from South Jersey up I-295 after which the NJ Turnpike. However we made it to Liberty Park (NJ) round 9.30am. We spent $50 for 2 ferry tickets which we have been inclined to not use if the safety line turned us again. (Becky had researched what it might take to drive round to Battery Park and take a look at once more to enter from the New York aspect.) We took some images of the New York skyline and proceeded to the principally empty safety constructing. One has to stroll an extended method to navigate Liberty Park: I’m certain that helps house out the crowds within the summertime.
In safety, there was no line as a result of mild crowds. We scanned our tickets and have been ushered as much as the X-ray machine. Keys, telephones, watches, belts all go within the bins. Luggage go within the bins. Coats and jackets go within the bins. Hats, sweaters and footwear keep on.
Then, earlier than I knew it, we have been by means of! My anxiousness concerning the safety checkpoint evaporated – nearly. We weren’t out but.
We have been placing again on belts and jackets and pocketing keys when a parks policeman walked over and beginning fingering the POTA badge on my re-purposed digital camera case. Proper there beside my callsign badge. He checked out me and mentioned, “Parks?” I gave a short description of Parks on the Air. He advised me about working at an airfield (that turned a park?) the place amateurs would generally come function. It was a pleasing change and he thanked me for stopping to speak.
Exterior, I used to be elated: this was going to occur! We obtained in line for the ferry. Behind a pair talking a language I didn’t know. Who have been themselves behind one other household talking one other language I didn’t know. I checked out Becky: this is without doubt one of the causes I so love New York. Languages, cultures, folks. That is the place I meet the broader world.
On Ellis Island, vacationers are restricted to the customer middle and the grounds round it. A part of these grounds have been fenced off for building. All the remainder of the island is inaccessible (aside from elements you’ll be able to see by buying the “Laborious Hat Tour”). Becky and I regarded for a quiet place to arrange. I considered Dave on the benches. I discovered quite a few timber with temptingly low branches. We thought onerous about organising at a mass of empty picnic tables. There was nobody on the market in any respect. It was chilly and windy. And who would come out to eat at these tables on a blustery day like that?
Ultimately, we determined to arrange in an island of grass between two sidewalks, close to however not in a tree. It appeared like the world of the park we may entry that might be least more likely to be in anybody’s means. I arrange the tripod, the EFHW tethered to the POTA bag (with a rubber band since I had no rope or carabiner), and linked to my clip board on the opposite aspect. I used to be now working a shortened EFHW for 15/20/40 (utilizing a loading coil described by K6ARK hung as an inverted V with the apex at 4’!
I sat on the sting of the sidewalk as a result of the grass was moist. I referred to as QSL? after which CQ. The wind knocked the tripod over and tripped the SWR security on my QMX. I cycled the facility on the QMX and Becky settled in close to the tripod, maintaining it from falling once more.
After a number of CQ’s on 20m, I should have been noticed! In 9 minutes I had seven QSO’s. Then they dried up for a couple of minutes. I had a number of local-ish mates I hoped to listen to from, so I switched to 40m considering it is perhaps shorter than 20m.
It was! In one other ten minutes I had 9 extra QSO’s. There was one final one who referred to as me: I attempted onerous to listen to their name! However regardless of quite a few tries I couldn’t copy it. With nobody else calling, I despatched QRT and packed it up.
By this time the picnic tables we had thought-about have been teeming with middle-schooler in matching sweat-shirts: subject journey! I used to be glad we had discovered a much less in style web site. Becky spent extra time shooing the hungry tame squirrels away than warning folks concerning the wire strung at tripping top. We explored the island somewhat extra and determined to go for the ferry. When I discovered higher cell service, I eliminated one activation and scheduled one other.
I didn’t want the Statue of Liberty for my private targets since it’s in New York, however we have been shut and we had time. It has been activated solely barely greater than Ellis Island, so I used to be completely happy to mild it up once more.
On the Statue of Liberty there have been much more vacationers. However there was additionally much more floor to discover. We considered organising on high of the museum, the place there’s a grassy roof. However my partner urged there was probably a steel roof beneath, and we determined to look elsewhere. Behind the statue is a big promenade with picnic tables and benches. Just a few folks walked down the center of the promenade, however nobody was sitting on both aspect. We selected the aspect away from the view of the skyline the place folks have been gathering.
I arrange the antenna as earlier than: an EFHW 4FT UP, alongside the sting of the promenade however within the grass. My partner saved the tripod upright as earlier than. I seen my QMX energy cable was simply beginning to fray: one is none! I began calling CQ.
I referred to as CQ on 20m for a number of minutes, with no responses in any respect. Becky urged the terribly giant steel statue close by is perhaps an issue. Possibly so, I mentioned.
I dialed round and heard another indicators. So we weren’t in a very useless zone. I switched to 40m and referred to as CQ for a number of minutes. Nothing. By now it was mid-day, so I didn’t anticipate 40m to be very useful. I moved again to 20m and resumed calling there. Didn’t anyone desire a CW QSO with the Statue of Liberty?!?
After some time I should have (lastly!) hit the RBN. as a result of I lastly acquired a response. A pair minutes later I heard a second one. Then they saved trickling in, with the sincere ones giving me sign strengths of two (F4ILH from France) or 3 (e.g., KN7D from Utah). I used to be shocked at how sparsely the calls arrived. Becky regarded like she was getting chilly. The wind was gusting. I used to be chilly! After getting a dozen calls in my log, I waited for the subsequent lull. After a number of unanswered CQ’s, I referred to as QRT.
We took the ferry again to Liberty Park. This was one other NJ entity I wanted. However this time I may use my full package. I tossed a line in a tree close to our automobile. Becky waited contained in the automobile. I began calling in 20m. The primary response I acquired was a Park to Park from W4LOO at US-1914 in Florida. In half-hour I had 20 QSO’s, together with PA3MM from the Netherlands!
After packing up the activation, I used to be capable of get within the automobile and plug in my telephone (battery at 1%!) to name QRT and take screenshots of my spots.
My first spot was from N2BTD and skim “Numerous upset Hunters that you just didn’t do 40m on Liberty Island.” I felt unhealthy about that one. I did do 40m, however was fully unheard. I figured a lot of folks would need the Statue of Liberty, however I assume a compromised antenna, within the close to presence of an enormous copper statue, is fairly restricted in what it could actually do. Additionally, I’m fairly restricted in what I can do within the chilly.
With my telephone on the charger, I used to be capable of obtain the screenshots my partner took of the spots from Ellis Island. The final one requested “are you able to go to SSB?” Satirically, I anticipate the QMX to grow to be SSB-capable within the close to future, because of firmware updates. And it has a built-in microphone. However I’m unsure how a lot good that might have accomplished anybody at lower than 5 watts right into a compromise antenna.
Looking back, an EFHW at 4’ was by no means going to be nice. Tuesday mid-day most likely wasn’t the very best time for POTA hunters, both. Nonetheless, I figured there should be folks on the lookout for these rarely-activated, however outstanding parks. I remorse not settling in and ready for extra QSO’s. I don’t remorse not lingering and annoying park employees with an prolonged activation in a busy park.
Activating POTA is at all times simpler in desolate parks. Wildlife Administration Areas are routinely fabulous because of this! Parks which can be worldwide vacationer websites are a special matter. Going early within the day and in the course of the low season seem to be good methods for activating these very well-known parks. Leaving a lot of further time to benefit from the museums would make sense as properly. Word rigorously the restrictions about what can’t be carried into the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty!
Each POTA activation is an invite to steadiness the pleasure of radio with self-care: not getting damage or damaging gear so we will all reside to play one other day. Activating with a partner is a particular case of this: I don’t wish to make her remorse her decisions! As a result of apart from the antenna-holding duties for which she volunteered, it’s at all times numerous enjoyable to share the problem of discovering new locations and reaching a objective.
A Merciless Twist
At dwelling I eagerly entered my activations on the POTA web site. I used to be delighted to search out I had no busted callsigns (apart from the one I knew I couldn’t hear on Ellis Island: I nonetheless spent a while on the POTA web site attempting to piece it collectively). I used to be very excited to name up the awards web page to see I used to be now at 99/106 parks in NJ: solely seven left! As a result of I already had plans for find out how to activate the final seven.
However that’s not how my day ended. As a substitute, there have been new parks in New Jersey! Six new ones! I’ve activated 99/112 parks in NJ previously eight months, not 99/106.
I’m chasing a transferring goal! That was somewhat disappointing. I’m glad we’re getting new parks and grateful to these serving to deliver that about in NJ. However perhaps may you maintain off including any extra till after New Years? Hihi!
Thanks, hunters, for answering me once I name! Because of the POTA app maintainers for fabulous infrastructure. Because of Thomas, K4SWL for inspiration, opinions, and examples as I re-entered the interest. And lots of because of my affected person, beneficiant partner who enjoys seeing new locations and doesn’t thoughts spending somewhat time studying (and even holding down an errant tripod!) if I wish to linger for an hour or so.
73 de Todd W2TEF
