Final week, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, I lastly broke a three-week no-POTA activation streak with a brief journey to the Blue Ridge Parkway People Artwork Middle.
Over the vacations, I’ve been doing loads of POTA looking from the QTH (you’ll see some reviews and movies floor over time), however I hadn’t ventured out to a park for an activation. The vacation season stored me busy with household visits, birthdays, and residential tasks—most of that are ongoing, due to Hurricane Helene. Regardless of all of that, I discovered a number of pleasure in transportable POTA looking from house.
Nonetheless, activating is in my blood. So when I discovered a gap on Tuesday, I seized the chance!
Now that the bridge on Freeway 70 has been repaired, the People Artwork Middle is as soon as once more my go-to spot for fast POTA activations. What was a irritating 15–20-minute detour is now a easy two-minute hop—an enchancment I deeply admire.
I pulled into the People Artwork Middle parking zone round 1:00 PM. Unsurprisingly, the lot was empty—it was a brisk 28°F (-2°C), hardly picnic climate. Then once more, POTA all the time warms me up!
For this activation, I introduced alongside my trusty Elecraft KX1 (affectionately named Audrey) and paired her with my Tufteln 9:1 Finish-Fed Random-Wire antenna.
It had been some time since Audrey had been out within the area, and I used to be excited to place her again on the air.
Frankly, post-hurricane tasks have disrupted my POTA activation routine, and I’ve missed all outings like these.
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Radio and Speaker
Antenna and Cable Meeting
Key and Equipment
Logging
Battery
Pack and Case
Digicam, Mics, and Misc.
With the TalentCell battery offering over 12 volts, I used to be pushing about 4 watts of output energy from the KX1.
After recognizing myself on the POTA website, I began calling CQ POTA.
Luckily, the hunters had been desirous to log activators that day!
I labored my first 10 contacts in simply 9 minutes—situations had been unbelievable.
I stored working for an additional 12 minutes, including 15 extra hunters to the log.
In complete, I logged 25 contacts in 22 minutes.
Sadly, resulting from time constraints, I needed to go QRT with stations nonetheless calling.
Right here’s what this four-watt CW activation appeared like when plotted out on a QSO Map (click on map to enlarge):
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of the complete activation. As with all of my movies, I don’t edit out any components of the on-air activation time. As well as, I’ve monetization turned off on YouTube, though that doesn’t cease them from inserting advertisements earlier than and after my movies.
Word that Patreon supporters can watch and even obtain this video 100% ad-free by Vimeo on my Patreon web page:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
This activation was precisely what I wanted!
Not solely was it enjoyable to get again into the sector, however I additionally completely loved utilizing the KX1 once more. It made for a deeply satisfying outing.
I’m particularly grateful that the People Artwork Middle is as soon as once more a straightforward detour. You by no means notice how essential a bridge is till it’s gone! Whereas lots of the main bridges in our space have been repaired—albeit quickly—there are nonetheless smaller bridges awaiting work. Fortunately, these are simpler to work round.
We’re extremely grateful for the continued efforts to revive infrastructure right here within the Swannanoa Valley.
Thanks for becoming a member of me throughout this activation!
I hope you loved the sector report and my activation video as a lot as I loved creating them! That is actually a labor of affection for me!
In fact, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular due to these of you who’ve been supporting the positioning and channel by Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will all the time be free, I actually admire the help.
As I discussed earlier than, the Patreon platform related to Vimeo makes it potential for me to share movies that aren’t solely 100% ad-free but in addition downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account additionally serves as a 3rd backup for my video information.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me!
Have an incredible week forward!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
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