by Teri KO4WFP
As a lot as I benefit from the pursuit of my 2024 purpose of 60 new parks, this Wednesday, August 21, I suspended my pursuit of that purpose and headed to George L. Smith State Park, a park I activated final fall. Why? I did so in assist of K2D and Worldwide Canine Day. (See the QRZ web page right here: https://www.qrz.com/db/K2D)
Worldwide Canine Day is noticed yearly on August twenty sixth. The purpose is to boost consciousness of the world’s abused, deserted, homeless, and shelter canines. Hans YL3JD in Latvia operated the previous a number of years with a particular occasion in honor of the day. This yr, for the primary time, Hans is joined by stations in Nice Britain, Canada, and the USA. The US workforce is organized by Caryn KD2GUT below the decision K2D.
There are eight operators right here within the US that might be on the air from Wednesday, August 21 by Monday, August 26. Three of us will do at the least one in all our shifts from a POTA website. I selected George L. Smith State Park (US-2179) as my website for 2 causes. First, for this activation I would like good cell service for recognizing on the POTA web site but in addition DXSummit. I recall this state park having good cell service throughout my earlier go to. Second, I’ve been hankering for a return to this park given how scenic it’s. K2D is a good excuse to return.
Daisy (after all she has to come back alongside for K2D!) and I arrived early, round 9 AM. We had the park to ourselves. The temperature truly felt cool, in all probability as a result of presence of the lake and a stiff breeze blowing off of it.
Final time I visited right here, I operated from a hill subsequent to the park workplace. Nonetheless, I recall a good quantity of noise on 40 meters at that location. I had one other QTH in thoughts.
Whenever you enter the park, to the proper is the outdated grist mill by which one could stroll. On the opposite facet is a path. It was alongside that path I meant to arrange.
I parked on the park workplace, grabbed my gear, and walked to the outdated mill home. We continued out to the path on the opposite facet. I discovered a spot simply previous some hanging foliage which I believed would forestall anybody from strolling into me. (It seems we didn’t see a single individual strolling although we did see a number of kayakers on the lake.) There was a tall wall of foliage behind me which ought to protect Daisy and I from the summer time solar throughout all the activation.
Given I might function as a particular station, I wished my trusty Tufteln EFRW. I discovered a department excessive within the cover and aimed. It took me a number of throws however I lastly snagged a department shut by. I didn’t wish to block the path and wanted a department excessive sufficient for a steep angle in my antenna.
Round 1400 UTC, I started calling CQ K2D or CQ POTA ES K2D. I opted for 20 meters given I’d seemingly attain a wider vary of hams. The bands immediately didn’t disappoint (as you’ll see on my QSO map under) for the 2 hours I operated. I did strive 40 meters close to the top of the activation however had no callers for the quarter-hour I attempted. Lastly round midday, I referred to as QRT.
I used to be thrilled to seek out at midday that Daisy and I nonetheless sat in shade. It is a massive deal in Georgia in August! Actually, we felt a breeze off the lake all the activation. Are you able to say “ahhh”? So subsequent time I go to this park, I’ll arrange on this spot.
I recognize everybody who hunted me immediately.
I hope QRPer readers will contemplate supporting K2D over the subsequent 5 days. As that is the primary yr of the occasion right here within the US, there’s not a schedule for when the eight of us are on the air. We might be on after we can for each CW and SSB, although since most of us are CW ops, I think you’ll principally discover us working that mode. We’ll stick near the frequencies of seven.045, 14.050, 21.030, and 28.050 as printed in QST journal. Nonetheless, examine for us on DXHeat and DXSummit in case we have to transfer because of inference.
I’ve posted a brief video to YouTube in regards to the activation if you’re :
Subsequent week, I’ll resume my 60 new-to-me POTA activations for 2024 quest. The place will I present up and can I reach bagging park #38? Keep tuned…
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