On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, my spouse and I had been in the midst of a week-long keep in Wilmington, North Carolina, whereas our daughters attended residential applications at NCSU and UNCW.
That specific day, we couldn’t resolve what to do as a result of the climate was fickle! Temperatures and humidity had been excessive, fueling a relentless string of remoted thunderstorms rolling over Wilmington and the Cape Worry River space. Each hour or so, a brand new storm would roll previous.
Heather prompt I slot in a POTA activation, and, after all, I cherished the concept. I simply didn’t wish to play radio wherever close to thunderstorms.
We determined to drive south to one in every of my favourite coastal cities in North Carolina: Southport. Based mostly on the climate radar, it regarded like we may drive to Southport on the west aspect of the river, then return through the Fort Fisher Ferry on the east aspect, doubtlessly avoiding a lot of the remoted thunderstorms shifting north alongside the coast.
After stopping in Leland for provides, we made our solution to Brunswick City/Ft. Anderson State Historic Website, instantly throughout the Cape Worry River from the place I’d activated the day prior to this at Carolina Seaside State Park (US-2722).
En route, we drove right into a thundershower with rain so intense that almost all vehicles on the street turned on their hazard lights and slowed to a crawl. Visibility was nil.
Thankfully, the heaviest rain solely lasted 10 or so minutes, and by the point we had been two minutes from the park entrance, it had slowed to a drizzle. As we parked on the customer’s heart, it had all however cleared up.
Brunswick City/Fort Anderson State Historic Website is exclusive in that it gives a mix of colonial and Civil Conflict historical past alongside the gorgeous Cape Worry River.
Based in 1726, Brunswick shortly grew right into a bustling port city identified for exporting naval shops. Nevertheless, the city was burned by British troops in 1776 and by no means rebuilt, forsaking ruins for guests to discover right now.
In the course of the Civil Conflict, Accomplice forces constructed Fort Anderson atop the remnants of Brunswick. The fort’s earthen partitions and spectacular gun emplacements now stand as a reminder of the area’s strategic significance throughout this turbulent interval.
Guests can discover the colonial foundations and Civil Conflict earthworks, whereas having fun with the river waterfront.
There’s additionally a customer’s heart with displays detailing the realm’s wealthy historical past.
I used to be happy to identify a picnic space on the alternative aspect of the parking zone from the guests’ heart. This might enable me to arrange shut sufficient to the automotive that if one other storm approached, I may pack up shortly.
First, I launched myself to the workers and requested for permission to activate. I used to be assured they might grant it, as this web site had been activated 39 occasions already (mine can be the fortieth).
The 2 park rangers inside had been extremely variety and accommodating. My spouse and I ended up talking with them about historical past for practically half-hour. I additionally gave them extra perception into the POTA program and requested if activators had been following their guidelines. Thankfully, they gave a really constructive report. NC State Historic Websites defend each the archaeology of the location and the pure assets, so I at all times ask for permission to activate as a result of some websites have restrictions about placing strains in bushes or stakes/spikes within the floor. Thankfully, this was not a difficulty on the picnic space.
Since climate was iffy and since Heather and I wished to spend the remainder of the afternoon in close by Southport, I made a decision to pair my Elecraft KX2 with my AX1 antenna.
This additionally gave me an opportunity to check out a brand new 3D-printed bipod that my good friend Mike (KE8PTX) despatched me.
This Bipod consists of a 3D-printed clip and knob designed by Adam (K6ARK) and two legs designed by Mike.
I used to be actually amazed at 1.) how simple it was to connect the clip to the antenna’s BNC base and a pair of.) how extremely secure this Bipod felt even in contrast with the OEM bipod.
Thanks, Mike (and Adam)!
With the radio arrange, I used to be able to activate!
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I assumed 20 meters can be the perfect place to start out and, frankly, I hoped it will be productive sufficient to cap off my activation briefly order in order that my spouse and I may proceed our travels.
Sadly, propagation was not compliant.
I known as CQ POTA on 20 meters for a very long time with no replies in any respect, so I made a decision to QSY to the 17 meter band.
Sometimes if 20 meters isn’t wholesome, 17 meters gained’t be both however I assumed it’d be value a go.
In fast succession, I labored three stations: K5OHY, N5ILQ, and SM2SUM in Sweden. The AX1 was exhibiting off regardless of the unstable circumstances.
After these three contacts, all I heard was static so I moved again to twenty meters for a little bit of P2P looking solely to search out the band was nonetheless lifeless.
I then determined to shake issues up by switching from my AX1 to my PackTenna 20 meter Finish-Fed Half-Wave.
The EFHW is the next achieve antenna and I assumed with circumstances as they had been, something would possibly assist.
After deploying the PackTenna, I hopped again on the air and began calling CQ on 20 meters. Ultimately, I acquired a reply from my good friend Alan (W2AEW) after which seven extra hunters in pretty fast succession. Generally when propagation is fickle, you’ll have home windows of alternative like this the place indicators pop by, then they could disappear once more with out warning.
Thanks, hunters!
With eleven stations logged and having spent extra time within the activation than I had hoped, I known as QRT and packed up shortly. What a enjoyable activation with some critical QRP DX regardless of the video games our native star was enjoying!
Right here’s what this five-watt activation regarded like when plotted out on a QSO Map:
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of the whole 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.
Observe 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.
Heather and I drove the brief distance from Brunswick City SP to Southport, NC.
We sat on the waterfront, loved a pleasant picnic lunch, and watched sailboats go by. Very enjoyable.
I really like the entire historic houses in Southport–some date from the 1800s which could not appear that historic to my buddies in Europe, however take into account that these have endured quite a few hurricanes and ensuing storm surge flooding throughout that point. Fairly spectacular!
Heather and I then popped within the NC Maritime Museum.
I picked up an excellent guide by Jay Barnes: Fifteen Hurricanes That Modified the Carolinas [yes, an affiliate link].
I’ve virtually completed it already (superb contemplating my lack of free time!) and should say that it’s very good! Barnes does an excellent job offering fascinating historic context round every storm and why every had long-term affect on the Carolinas.
Heather ducked right into a thrift store subsequent, so I took the chance to chill off with an iced latte and blueberry scone. I perhaps have one iced espresso yearly as I’m very a lot a sizzling espresso sort of man. That stated, it was within the mid 90s and tremendous humid, so this chilly beverage was a lot appreciated!
We finally drove to the Fort Fisher Ferry and made the brief crossing to Fort Fisher.
Later, we capped off the night with a pleasant, lengthy stroll on Wrightsville Seaside because the solar set.
All in all, an excellent, memorable time out and we by some means managed to keep away from a lot of the heavy climate!
Thanks a lot for becoming a member of me throughout this activation!
I hope you loved the sphere report and my activation video as a lot as I loved creating them! I really like reliving these activations when writing up the sphere report.
After all, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular due to these of you who’ve been supporting the location and channel by Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will at all times be free, I actually respect the assist.
As I discussed earlier than, the Patreon platform related to Vimeo makes it attainable 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! I hope you may have a chance to play radio quickly!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
