My purpose for this summer season is to do extra backpacked day-trip POTA activations whereas I’m nonetheless bodily in a position to. That is my 4th backpacked-in activation this previous week or so. And a thanks to Thomas K4SWL for letting me share my adventures from the Canadian out-back.
In the present day’s purpose is to activate Trout Creek Ecological Reserve, CA-4221 which is about one-hour drive south of Kelowna, BC, Canada, which is the place my spouse Alexis (VE7LXE) and I (VE7EFF) have lived for the previous 12 years. Alexis accompanies me on all my POTA activations.
It’s a stunning late August day. The temperature is anticipated to be about 31℃, or 88℉. The one-hour drive is only the start of the day’s journey. We have been in a position to conveniently park on the Summerland Golf and Nation Membership, however that is the place all conveniences finish for us.
Trout Creek Ecological Reserve has by no means been activated earlier than – I’ll be the primary. It’s no shock this reserve hasn’t been activated earlier than. It’s all wilderness with no trails to observe. I’ve to depend on my Garmin 66sr GPS and Pixel8 good telephone with Google Maps with Satellite tv for pc View to assist me navigate to and thru the reserve in seek for an optimum working location.
I anticipated the trek to solely be about 1 Km in with about 600 ft elevation achieve. It’s all uphill, all the best way. From the golf course car parking zone, the hike begins out comparatively straightforward. At first, there seems to be some semblance of a path.
This outdated filth highway/path didn’t result in wherever we have been going. In brief order we have been strictly counting on my trusty GPS for instructions to the reserve boundaries and finally someplace to function.
Alexis (VE7LXE) accompanies me on all our treks. She received her ham license so we will keep in touch through our trusty IC-V80 handhelds for security causes whereas in outback conditions, ought to the necessity come up.
I used to be shocked at how rapidly the terrain turned fairly steep. As you possibly can see, there are not any trails to observe. We’re route discovering strictly by GPS and visuals.
That is the one gated entry into the reserve. The gate just isn’t marked on any maps that I can discover. And, as you possibly can see, there are not any trails main into or out of the world. If we do come throughout any trails, they’re often recreation trails made by deer, elk, or bear.
This ecological reserve is a mixture of mountains, grasslands and forests. In the present day we’re carrying gaiters over our socks and boots to guard our ankles as a result of these grasses in BC are seeding, and the seeds are like little spear heads that embed into our socks and boots. We simply purchased these gaiters due to classes discovered from our earlier hikes in grasslands areas.
I perceive that this eco reserve can be dwelling to gopher snakes and even rattlesnakes. And naturally bears are a given. Usually, when out again we supply bear spray. However right now after we have been placing on our trekking gear, I believed as a result of we’re so near civilization in the beginning (golf course), I believed that maybe we don’t want the additional weight and bulk of bear spray. I later realized that will not have been the wisest determination.
Cactus and rattlesnakes in Canada! What makes these little cacti so harmful is how they’re typically hidden in with the clumps of grass. If you happen to sit or fall down on certainly one of these, you received’t be very blissful – as I came upon later. The upper we trek, the extra scenic the views.
Whereas it was doable to seek out an ops spot shortly after getting into the reserve, we’re surrounded by mountains. I used to be skeptical about viable radio propagation on the decrease elevations. In order all the time, I search the best elevation I can realistically entry. Increased elevation and a view of the horizon is all the time good for propagation.
After some time, we’re beginning to attain a viable elevation. The view behind Alexis is going through southeast, the optimum route I attempt to orient my antennas for greatest USA protection from southern British Columbia.
In the present day, the skies are a crystal clear blue and the scenic views are gorgeous. That is what makes it price all of the arduous work getting right here. Nonetheless, we nonetheless have some slogging to do, but. Whereas it’s not apparent within the images, this mountainside is popping right into a slippery scree slope.
The views get higher and higher with elevation. However Alexis is beginning to wrestle with the steep uphill climb. Nonetheless, I can see a viable mini-summit (or no matter it’s referred to as) that after reached will hopefully make the trek worthwhile.
Very steep, numerous grassy scree, and a few rock cliffs forward. I’m hoping I can discover a viable path to rise up to this mini-summit and hoping for a viable POTA working spot as soon as we rise up there (fingers crossed).
At this level, it’s beginning to really feel like we’re mountaineering.
I admit, that is beginning to really feel like I’m pushing our limits. My spouse isn’t too proud of me proper about now. She is beginning to get exhausted. And I’m getting drained myself. For lots of the younger of us on the market, that is in all probability not far more than a stroll within the park, so to talk. However we are actually 73 and 72 years younger and never precisely in prime bodily situation. All that stated, I really like these sorts of out of doors challenges as years again, I used to be an avid hiker within the Rocky Mountains of Alberta.
To be frank, this scramble up is attending to be a bit on the harmful facet. The rocky slope is unstable and slippery. However we’re virtually to the highest and hopeful we are going to discover POTA heaven up right here….
No prior to we reached this mini-summit crest, I see that we might have uninvited guests.Whereas bears are in abundance within the mountains, there may be nothing like a pile of bear scat to verify their presence as a reminder. (Uh-oh, we left our bear spray within the automobile)
Yeah, we lastly made it up this mini-summit (there are greater ones above right here), however this appears to be like like we’re near the place I believe shall be an acceptable space for POTA ops. I scouted just a bit additional uphill and located “the spot”. Alexis is definitely relieved that is it and we will now calm down the remainder of the morning. It’s presently 10:37 AM. I’m about 40 minutes late for my scheduled activation – however who’s watching the clock.
Whereas Alexis rehydrates, this photograph reveals the southeast route by which I’m hoping to get most propagation. That is additionally the spot I shall be activating from.
OK, now that we’ve got reached “a vacation spot” it’s time to arrange my shack-in-a-pack I’ll be working with my KX2 at 7 or 8 watts and the KX2 inner battery and one additional KX2 backup battery. I’m additionally utilizing the KXPD2 paddle. My KX2 additionally has the Elecraft built-in ATU antenna tuner which permits me to function throughout all of the higher HF bands. Till just lately, most of my activations have been utilizing 30m or 20m center-fed dipoles (operated flat or inverted-V) made by N9SAB (wonderful moveable dipoles). Whereas very environment friendly, dipoles do take additional time and area to arrange and take down.
Nonetheless, I just lately I got here up with the concept of constructing and utilizing a “Coaxial-Sleeve Dipole” as you’ve examine in my prior article. Usually, sleeved dipoles are oriented vertically. Paradoxically, whereas a coaxial-sleeve dipole seems end-fed, electrically, it features as a center-fed dipole, however often oriented vertically. My dwelling VHF 2M antenna is a homebrew vertical-sleeve dipole manufactured from copper pipe. It really works fairly nicely so I wished to do this idea on POTA HF to make my antenna setup a bit of less complicated.
Mine is lower for 20m band however tunes splendidly on all HF bands with the help of Elecraft ATU accessible for the KX2 and KX3 transceivers in case you bought them with the ATU. I haven’t documented my development particulars. That is nonetheless experimental for me. I defined a bit of bit extra about this antenna in my earlier subject studies on QRPer.com. If you’re interested in this coaxial-sleeve dipole antenna, there may be some generic data on the Web.
I used my trusty Weaver 8 oz arborist throw bag and line to hoist the top of the vertical dipole up the closest appropriate tree that’s close to my working space. I received the bag over the tip of the tree which is simply about 23 ft. excessive. As my 20m dipole is about 32 ft. lengthy, it was essential to slope it at a few 30° or 40° diploma angle in direction of the SE – which is form of optimum for my propagation to the popular SE route.
I really like the Elecraft built-in antenna tuners. It permits me to tune this antenna from 30m -10m bands with an excellent SWR match. It’s arduous to truly see the RG-174 coaxial-sleeve dipole on this photograph because of its black shade and small dimension.
This will sound odd, however I sometimes orient my working place to face the route of my meant optimum propagation, which is usually the route of greatest views, too. I typically pack with two Helinox velocity stools, one to take a seat on and one to set the radio and go surfing. These stools are very light-weight and fast and simple to arrange and pack away. They’re a bit low to the bottom, however it beats sitting on the bottom.
Okay, time to start out activating the Trout Creek Ecological Reserve CA-4221. It’s about 11:30 AM PST and I’m virtually 1.5 hours late beginning my scheduled activation.
Within the meantime, Alexis is taking a sleep within the shade whereas I function.
Usually, I begin on 20m CW to get at the least my first 10 contacts made. As soon as that purpose is achieved, I transfer on to 17, 15, 12, and 10m CW. As all the time, mid-day 20m is essentially the most energetic.
It took me about an hour to get 14 contacts on 20m. This included 10 states from California to New York and Florida, in addition to Quebec and Ontario in Canada. So, I’m getting first rate East and SE propagation. Subsequent, I transfer onto 17m the place I get 5 contacts earlier than it goes useless. This consists of 2 in MO, one in VA, and one in PA. And, one in Salamanca, SPAIN (EA1AF) !
Then I transfer onto 15m. Simply two contacts: TN and NC. 12m and 10m bands have been completely useless. The reverse beacons couldn’t even hear me. So, again right down to 17m. The place I picked up 5 extra contacts, together with KY, VA, TX, VA, and ON.
I hardly ever attempt 30m band throughout the day anymore as a result of it’s often useless, however I believed I’d give it a attempt. Only one contact, and it was N4RKK in Florida. However that was it for 30m. Useless after that (or no person listening).
Two extra contacts on 20m: AR and IL.
Again to 17m. Six extra contacts there: WI, NY, NC, IL, AZ, and MO.
Okay, time to attempt 15m one final time.
Voila, six contacts right here: NC, WV, MA, KY, and TX.
12 and 10m bands are nonetheless useless.
All in all, I had a reasonably good day activating. However it didn’t all come straightforward. In complete, I spent about 5 hours working. For me, I discover it simply takes persistence – persevering with to name CQ and making an attempt totally different bands when one goes useless. And, if I’m going to undergo all of the work to rise up right here, I’m decided to make it worthwhile.
In complete, I had 41 CW contacts. Not a foul days work.
Tip: Click on on pictures to enlarge views
As nicely, it was completely stunning up right here. We didn’t actually need to go away. It’s so peaceable and quiet up right here out within the boonies, apart from me making a CW racket. Not a soul round apart from perhaps a bear or two peeping by the bushes.
With all that stated, it’s time to pack up and head again. We determined not to return the best way we got here up – too harmful on that cliffy scree slope. After learning the GPS and Google satellite tv for pc views of the world, we determined to descend in the other way from which we got here. Barely much less treacherous however nonetheless steep slopes.
Solely a brief distance from our begin, we come throughout extra proof that the bears aren’t far-off. We don’t fear an excessive amount of about them – we simply make numerous noise as we trek alongside. I don’t assume bears need to encounter individuals any greater than we need to encounter them.
The journey again wasn’t uneventful, although. I did take a few tumbles on the slippery slopes. I didn’t understand it till we received again to the Subaru Forester, that I had picked up a few cactus heads once I fell. Whereas again on the automobile I used to be dismissing some filth from the again of my pants and Ouch! cactus needles pierced my fingers. Not a pleasing expertise pulling it out.
My Tools Checklist:
Elecraft KX2
Elecraft Inside KXAT2 Automated Antenna Tuner
Elecraft KXPD2 Paddle
Homebrew ½ wave “Vertical Coaxial-Sleeve Dipole”
Weaver 8 oz throw bag
GM CLIMBING Throw Line 1.7mm, 180 Ft Roll Excessive Power – Arborist Outside Utility Twine
West Coast Paracord Plastic Ladder Winder Twine Storage- Organizers (Blue, 20 Pack)
PARACORD PLANET 95 Sort Paracord, Number of Colours, 100 ft
5.11 Rush 72 Tactical backpack, army grade
Helinox Velocity Stools
Garmin 66sr GPS
Counter Assault Bear Spray, bought through Margo Provides, Canada or USA.
Bear Spray Hip Holster, Margo Provides, Canada or USA
All in all, it was a worthwhile and memorable day for Alexis and me.
Thanks for studying about our adventures.
Cheers/73, Jeff (VE7EFF) and Alexis (VE7LXE)
