Please be aware that this POTA (Parks On The Air) activation occurred on September 19, 2024—eight days earlier than Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina. That is one of some discipline stories and activation movies I’ll be sharing that occurred earlier than Helene’s arrival.
As I discussed in my final discipline report, I haven’t been again to the Vance State Historic Website for the reason that storm, because it’s been closed. Positioned within the Reems Creek valley, the positioning probably skilled intensive flooding. I hope this park can get better and reopen quickly.
I hope you get pleasure from this discipline report and activation video. I’ve completely loved reliving it whereas making ready this for you.
Thanks!
Thomas (K4SWL)
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, I made time for a POTA activation on the Zebulon Vance Birthplace (US-6856) and introduced alongside a couple of new objects to make it much more attention-grabbing.
I packed my new gear together with additional tools to fill out my new Nemo Resolve 25L backpack (test it out in gear hyperlinks under). I wished to see how effectively it might deal with a full load and the way comfy it could be to hold.
Seems, it’s very comfy, and I might simply match extra on this pack than I’d probably ever want. It’s a keeper.
First, I introduced alongside a brand new QRP Labs QMX transceiver. For those who’ve been a long-time reader, you’ll know I’ve had a QMX for a couple of 12 months and assume it’s a superb little radio. This one, nevertheless, is the “excessive band” model, that means it covers 20-10 meters. My different QMX is the “low band” model, protecting 80-20 meters.
As quickly because the excessive band QMX was introduced by QRP Labs, I grabbed one. I bought an assembled model, understanding it might be a 12 months (or for much longer) earlier than I’d have time to truly construct one.
After I obtained this new QMX—I’m unsure, months in the past?—I tucked it away in a drawer whereas reorganizing my shack, then promptly forgot about it (in my protection, I had a loopy 12 months). I finally rediscovered it, and right here we’re!
I’d been trying ahead to taking it to the sector.
At Hamvention this 12 months (2024), I bumped into my good pal Mike Roberge (KE8PTX). He advised me he was tremendous excited a couple of new product that had been showcased—not a flagship radio or related, however the Explorer POTA20Carbon Fiber Mast.
Mike was one of many only a few individuals who really bought one at Hamvention to take residence. I imagine Gigaparts solely had two or three readily available—primarily for demo—so everybody else needed to place an order and wait 6-8 weeks for the primary cargo.
In the meantime, Mike, being the intelligent fellow he’s, designed a 3D-printed floor spike holder that matches a tent stake. This enables the consumer to unscrew the bottom cap of the Explorer mast, insert Mike’s floor spike, and help the mast while not having man wires, and so forth.
If this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of Mike made a video about how simple it’s to deploy the Explorer mast together with his floor spike.
I bought my Explorer pole through Gigapart’s on-line retailer throughout or proper after Hamvention. I didn’t obtain my mast till someday in August. This activation was the primary time I attempted it out within the discipline.
I deployed my 20M EFHW (constructed on a TennTennas transformer) by attaching one finish to the tip of the Explorer pole, then sloping it down so the feedpoint was near the sting of the picnic shelter at Vance.
One other merchandise I rediscovered in September was a VK3IL stress paddle my good pal Brian (K3ES) gave me at 4 Days in Might throughout Hamvention. His model is an ordinary VK3IL stress paddle, however with some padded materials beneath the warmth shrink, making it simpler for giant fingers to grip.
Brian’s paddle paired properly with the QMX!
With every part arrange, it was time to hit the air.
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The QMX, in fact, carried out effectively throughout this activation.
I did encounter some difficulties initially when the QMX produced important audio pops within the CW sidetone audio every time I keyed the radio. I spent a couple of minutes troubleshooting and even modified audio system, pondering it may need been a problem with the Soundcore Mini.
It turned out to be associated to toggling the AGC perform. I finally managed to resolve the audio pops and used the Soundcore Mini. I’m unsure I might replicate the method precisely, however I bought it working. (For those who’ve had the same expertise, I’d love your enter.)
In any other case, the activation went very easily.
I labored my first ten stations in eight minutes—woot!
Exercise slowed down a bit after the primary ten, however I nonetheless managed to work 17 stations in beneath half an hour.
Many because of everybody who hunted me!
Right here’s what this five-watt activation appeared like when plotted out on a QSO Map:
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of all the activation. As with all of my movies, I don’t edit out any elements of the on-air activation time. As well as, I’ve monetization turned off on YouTube, though that doesn’t cease them from inserting adverts earlier than and after my movies.
Notice that Patreon supporters can watch and even obtain this video 100% ad-free by way of Vimeo on my Patreon web page:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
I really like that the Explorer mast suits simply in my Nemo backpack. I see myself utilizing it quite a bit for SOTA and POTA activations the place suspending an antenna in a tree isn’t doable.
It’s tremendous light-weight and compact, and Mike’s ingenious tent stake spike mod makes this mast really easy to deploy.
I additionally loved utilizing Brian’s stress paddle throughout this activation—thanks, OM! It’s comfy to grip and use.
This high-band QMX will make a superb SOTA transceiver. I have to make the most of these excessive bands whereas the ionosphere helps them this photo voltaic cycle!
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!
Additionally, thanks for your entire current help and type messages following Hurricane Helene.
In fact, I’d additionally prefer to ship a particular because of these of you who’ve been supporting the positioning and channel by way of Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will at all times be free, I actually respect the help.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
