Wednesday, December 18, 2024, was a full however fantastic day. My spouse, daughters, Hazel the canine, and I spent it exploring Beaufort, Morehead Metropolis, and Atlantic Seashore, North Carolina—coastal cities all inside a ten-minute drive of each other.
We began the morning on the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Whereas my spouse and one among my daughters loved some purchasing later, I managed a fast activation at Fort Macon State Park. (You’ll be able to learn that report and watch the activation video right here.)
Afterward, we returned to our Airbnb trip dwelling round 2:00 p.m. for a late lunch. My daughters, nonetheless busy regardless of the vacations, had been engaged on scholarship essays. With their fall time period accomplished on-line because of Hurricane Helene’s harm in Asheville, they had been decided to sort out deadlines earlier than the brand new 12 months.
Whereas they labored, I felt the pull of POTA (Parks on the Air). Nonetheless, I wasn’t within the temper for one more automotive journey—particularly not a 25-minute drive to the subsequent web site. As an alternative, I made a decision on a low-key radio session within the yard, adopted by some quiet time with a Sherlock Holmes thriller.
Earlier than dinner, we deliberate to walk via Beaufort’s historic district and waterfront. The fixed low fog that day had reworked the surroundings into one thing virtually magical—excellent for a night stroll. (I’ve included some photographs beneath for these !)
I’d already found throughout the day before today’s searching session that the Airbnb’s yard had an impressively low noise ground for an city space.
I think it was as a result of many trip properties within the neighborhood—together with the one subsequent door, which was vacant and available on the market—had been unoccupied throughout the low season. Regardless of the cause, it was a pleasing shock for this QRPer.
My Elecraft KH1 has grow to be my go-to radio for yard classes. Not solely is it extremely fast to deploy, however it’s additionally designed for handheld operation. No have to arrange an antenna or discover a place to sit down—I can merely stroll round, optimizing obtained sign power and avoiding potential noise sources.
For this session, I grabbed the KH1, its whip antenna, and a 13-foot counterpoise. On the final minute, I additionally determined to deliver my digicam to document the expertise. Although much less action-packed than an activation, I believed it would nonetheless be price sharing.
I stored issues easy, utilizing solely the KH1’s inside speaker. Whereas it’s not the very best performer, I recognize that Elecraft managed to incorporate it—it’s a function I want my classic KX1 had!
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POTA searching is a totally totally different expertise from activating—and I adore it.
As an activator, you’re within the highlight, managing pileups and logging contacts as quick as attainable. As a hunter with a handheld 5-watt radio and a 4-foot whip antenna, the problem is flipped: you must make your self heard amidst louder stations, all with the objective of working towards good working etiquette.
It’s slower-paced and much more demanding, however it’s extremely rewarding. Throughout this session, I managed six contacts with activators throughout the nation. As an alternative of jotting them down, I took fast cell screenshots of the POTA.app web site to log the stations I labored.
Stations hunted and logged:
Right here’s my real-time, real-life video of the whole transportable POTA searching session. 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 via Vimeo on my Patreon web page:
Click on right here to view on YouTube.
This little yard POTA session was precisely what I wanted. It happy my QRP itch with out the effort of additional driving, and I even had time to take pleasure in some Holmes earlier than our night stroll.
The KH1 carried out fantastically, and I used to be thrilled by the surprisingly low noise ranges. It’s an excellent reminder that assumptions a couple of web site’s RF surroundings are simply that—assumptions. Generally, you must make the leap and pay attention.
As I write this subject report, I’m reminded of when the KH1 was first launched and I shared the main points on-line. Somebody emailed me, claiming the KH1 would possibly work for a SOTA activator however could be ineffective for searching, chasing, or informal contacts.
It is a traditional case of “don’t knock it earlier than you strive it.” Not solely was I capable of successfully log a number of POTA activators amongst competing indicators, however a type of contacts—AB9CA—was at Picacho State Park in Arizona, some 2,000 miles/3,219 km away because the crow flies. Not unhealthy for somewhat QRP setup!
Later that night, we explored Beaufort’s historic district and waterfront. The foggy streets and glowing lights gave the city a storybook-like allure. Beneath are a number of photographs from our stroll—take pleasure in!
Thanks for becoming a member of me throughout this transportable POTA searching session!
I hope you loved the sphere report and video as a lot as I loved creating them!
After all, I’d additionally wish to ship a particular because of these of you who’ve been supporting the location and channel via Patreon, and the Espresso Fund. Whereas not a requirement, as my content material will at all times be free, I actually recognize the help.
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!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
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