Ten or nothing!

Ever since I picked up ham radio and POTA, I have tended to seek out opportunities park activations any time I travel. I have also learned to try and make activations as unobtrusive as possible when travelling with family. For example, I would attempt to plan our route so that park activations coincide with breaks in our road trip. That gives the family an opportunity to stretch out their legs in a park, while I try to nab a quick activation. 

Recently, I had an opportunity to travel to California. This was going to be a short overnight trip and I was going solo. That freed me considerably in scheduling my activations. I was flying into John Wayne International in Orange County around 11:00 am. The wedding reception I was attending was at 6:00 pm and the hotel room was only available at 4:00pm. 

On the day before the travel, I decided to take my KH-1 with me as that is the only radio that will fit in my luggage for this trip. I looked around the maps and found that Crystal Cove State Park was about 15 miles from the airport. Since I had a rental car, that made it easy. My plan was to pick up the rental and head straight on to the park. I decided to walk along the beach trails and see if I can get an activation at the same time.

The flight out to California and the rental pickup went according to plan. The three hour time difference between the east coast and the west meant that I was ravishingly hungry. I stopped by at a Subway near the park and picked up a footlong. 

To say the park was beautiful would be an understatement. The weather was a near perfect 78F (26C) . The skies were clear and a beautiful breeze blowing.

I picked a trail that would put me on the beach. I readied my KH-1 and spotted myself on the POTA website. Then I started CQs as I started to walk along the trail. My walk along the trail led to increasingly beautiful views. But the sitrep for the activation was not good. Even after about half an hour of calls; there were no takers. I decided to pack it in. 

As far as busted activations go the situation could not have been better. Ten contacts or more would have been the ideal situation. However, having no contacts means I do not have to log it to the POTA website.  My POTA record(?) will not be tarnished (gasp!) with yet another busted activation! I thoroughly enjoyed the walk and the scenery could not have been more uplifting. You will find a few pictures below and I hope you would agree with me. 

Along the Beach trail at Crystal Cove State Park

Boardwalk at Crystal Cove

Gifted

Father's day! June 15, 2025. Time to saddle up and ride. Performed the safety check on bike:  Brakes, clutch, tires, lights and flashers -- roger. Radio and CW paddle: roger; Antenna and cables: roger, Battery and power cables: roger; log book: roger,  snack pack: roger. All set to go!

I ride to the park close to my QTH : About a 30 minute ride. I arrive at my usual spot in the park; then duck walk my motorcycle back into the slot. I proceeded to shed my gloves, helmet and riding jacket and look up at my usual tree. All's well except for the table. I moved the picnic table out of the direct sunlight into the shady part under the tree; making sure I will be in the shade for the next couple of hours. Moving picnic tables on grassy surface sure was hard work. After catching my breath and resolving to get into better shape, I throw the arborist line up the tree and get my wire antenna ready. Setting up the KX-3 was quick. Time to put out CQs. The bands have not been great these days and I wanted to spot myself on the POTA website. I reach out to my pocket to fish my cell phone out. My brain did not expect the feeling of emptiness in the pocket. Hmmm...no phone. Did I drop it on the way? Or did I leave it at home. After the initial panic, I tried to recall my departure. Did I take my phone or not? After some thinking I realized I did not verify that I took my phone out. I must have left it on the charger at home. 

Drats! I did not want to go back home to retrieve it. So it is either abandon the attempt or power through it. I opted to stay. I started my CQ sequence. My hope is that I can get a responder to spot me. I resolved to complete the activation irrespective of how long it took. 

I was getting increasingly despondent as my CQs went unanswered. As I was surveying my environs I spotted a car making its way slowly through the parking lot. It bore an uncanny resemblance to my vehicle. You know the feeling you get when you spot another vehicle on the road that is the same make and model as yours? There is a fleeting and tenuous feeling of kinship that seems to bind you to the other driver. You're curious about the other person who made the same choice as you. You want to at least get a look at the other person. I had the same feeling here especially where the color choice was also identical.

The car wound its way through the parking lot. After a few moments, it was making a beeline towards me. Hmm..this is interesting. As the car got closer, I realized it was my son who was driving it. He had realized I left my phone at home and had made the trip to the park to hand if off to me! Needless to say I was dumbfounded. A better Father's day gift I could not imagine!

Ruined?

 I have always had mixed feelings mixing radio with vacations. My experience in mixing radio with vacation was not always a pleasant one [https://motopota.blogspot.com/2024/05/oil-and-water.html] . But as I clicked on the button to reserve our tickets to the UK earlier this year, I knew in the back of my mind that my baggage would contain a HF radio. As a bonus, our tickets included checked in baggage. That would mean I would be able to pack my JPC-12 vertical antenna with a ground spike should I need better reach.

I knew I would not have much time for activation. So I decided to stick with my KH-1. We landed in London and it was a pretty busy couple of days. The KH-1 was always with me as we were walking around the city. Surprisingly most attractions were not even interested in the radio when they performed the baggage check. They just wanted to know what it was and I was on my merry way. Even the Supreme court of the UK permitted me through with my radio. Only the British Museum security would not permit the radio to be taken inside. However, they were very polite and offered to hold it for me during my visit. I took them upon it with a little trepidation, but was glad when I was rejoined with my radio upon my exit.

As we were strolling through Hyde Park on one of the days, I decided to try out the KH-1. I heard many stations primarily on 20m. They were mostly from continental Europe, but my attempt to reach back did not elicit much success. The urban conditions and the propagation were against a QRP radio that time.

Unfortunately, that was the only opportunity to play radio during our three day sojourn in London. But the sights and sounds of the city more than made up for this minor setback. 

Soon it was time to depart London and head our way to Edinburgh! My itinerary had some time through the Scottish highlands later. It took me through a couple of POTA entities and I thought I can try and get an activation coincident with a lunch break as we drove along. However, we arrived in Edinburgh early in the evening to a typical Scottish weather. It was blustery with on and off showers. Our son was supposed to join us later in the day, so we had a few hours to ourselves. As we settled into the hotel, I check the POTA map and found out that Calton Hill in the city was within a POTA entity. It was a few minutes away from my hotel and my wife and I felt the walk would do us good after the train journey. It was a steep climb to up to the hill. We were rewarded with great sights overlooking Edinburgh. We strolled through the Greek architecture and towards sunset, I decided to try the KH-1 again. This time as well I was hearing quite a few stations, but none could hear me. RBN reports were also not that great. The blustery winds and oncoming rain forced me to call it quits and head back to the hotel.

The weather would not be our friend. As we travelled through the Highlands we encountered heavy downpours during the midday hours. The much anticipated POTA activation of the park eluded me. 

However, I still did not lose hope. Our itinerary included driving back from Inverness back to Cambridge and then on to London. Our son was a history buff and insisted that we stop by Antonine Wall. Bingo.. This was my opportunity. The early Roman ruins was also a POTA entity. The place was perfect..

As we strolled along the park taking in the sights, I was able to use my KH-1 and rustle up enough contacts for a successful activation. Despite the tiredness at the end of the day, all of us enjoyed this little detour. I especially was ecstatic as I was able to snag my first overseas park in addition to enjoying the beautiful ruins. The 150 mile trip to our next planned stop did not seem daunting any more.

Alinco strikes again

Saturday, June 7, 2025! And not just an ordinary Saturday. It was the day for the annual Michigan POTA meetup.  This year the meet up was at Fort Custer Recreation Area (US-3310). I visited the last year's meet up and this year's weather forecast was much better. Although I did not have the time for an overnight camp trip unlike last year, I decided to go in for a day trip. The 250 mile round trip in great weather and the chance to meet up some POTA folks was too good to pass.

I saddled up at about 9:30 am and flat topped it to the park around 11am. In my saddle case was my usual KX-3 POTA set up. However, since the bands have not been that great I decided to go with a little more oomph with my trusty old DX-70. 

When I arrived, the meetup was at full swing. The meeting was well attended and saw people from various parts of the state. After some meet and greet and catching up with acquaintances from the past year I decided to get an activation in. There were some chuckles when I set up the Alinco.  This rig is not in the greatest shape, but I have always been partial to it. It was a rats mess of cables and wires when I had completed hooking up the CW keyer and the antenna tuner. 

I was warned! The bands were bad. I roamed the 40m, 30m and 20m band. Only 40m seemed to have some life in it. Despite running my Alinco at 50W there were very few takers. I was using the JPC-12 vertical. KB6NU who is out of Ann Arbor suggested that I try his doublet antenna instead. He was kind enough to lug it from his car and set it up for me. While the doublet brought in a few more contacts nothing would overcome the pitiable band conditions that day.

Activation at the POTA meetup. Photo Courtesy: MI POTA Meetup

     

But time was on my side. I had an automatic MX-2 type keyer hooked up to the Alinco; so the tedium if putting out repeated CQs was not there. I was mildly mocked for having taken my full size Begali single lever paddle that was hooked to the keyer. Nevertheless, I kept the CQs going through the excellent lunch spread put out by the organizers. Eventually after about 90 minutes, I was proud when the tenth contact rolled in. I was also proud that I did not have to rely on the help of the attendees to make my quota. 

As I was packing my gear in, the raffle tickets organized by the meet up folks were announced. I ended up winning a POTA bumper sticker. This stroke of luck emboldened me to stop by US-1518 on the way back. Yes indeed! My luck held and I was able to get a successful activation there as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the MI POTA meetup organizers for putting on a great event. Your enthusiasm is infectious and is greatly appreciated

Resistance is futile!

When I did not feel the comforting resistance when tugging the antenna wire I realized Murphy had struck. The inevitable law chose me for enforcement today!

So here I was with the antenna wire loose in my hand; my arborist throw bag and rope up the tree. My attempt to set up the wire antenna during a park activation was off to a disastrous start. As I pondered and made several attempts to retrieve the rope, I was keeping a wary eye around. I did not want to look like a clown jumping up and down a tree to the other visitors of the park. Eventually I had to give up and resolved to bring a frisbee retriever or a pole to retrieve it later.  I was fortunate that this happened at my "home" park which is only a few miles from my QTH, 

One problem was conveniently pushed under the rug for now.

I then decided to focus on trying to get my activation completed. Fortunately, I was in my car today and noticed the mag-mount antenna was still in the car. Unfortunately, I only had the 40m resonator and whip. I decided to press on any way. Despite the horrendous band conditions, the Hustler resonator and whip did well and I was able to rustle up enough contacts! I paid the cost in the time required to get the contacts. I have noticed that unless the bands are really bad, there is almost always someone who can hear you. One only wishes lady luck is on your side in these conditions. Activiation done!

I have to go back to the park anyway and safely retrieve the throw bag. Another opportunity for an activation!

Edit: 05/03. Today I went back to the park with a pole and safely retrieved the rope and the throw weight. No trees were harmed. I also managed to squeeze an activation in. The bands really took a dip this morning and I was glad I was able to make enough contacts on 40m.

Rare DX...or not

 

I have read a few posts here which describe people working DX stations without identifying the caller and trying to figure out later. Such posts are followed by the ethics of such practice and how one must exercise the DX code of conduct to first establish the caller identity before attempting to work them.

This morning I woke up and when I saw the following my eyes almost popped...

This jolted me out of my sleep and got my adrenaline going. I fired up my rig and proceeded to tune and listen in on the frequency. Nothing heard for the first few minutes. Then slowly but surely heard vague CQ calls. I could not discern the full call, but surely established that it was ending with GNF.

Perhaps I was foolish, but...I wanted to wait a bit more. For the next few minutes, I am picking up bits and pieces of CW going back and forth. Perhaps this might be my lucky day! Just as suddenly as the sun drives the mist away, for a brief moment the QSB lifted and I was hearing the station very clearly. RBN also confirmed it.

DPRK will have to wait another day!

Pedestrian stuff

 Today I went for another pedestrian mobile activation of US-1518. The bands in a great shape and I could not pass up the opportunity. It was a cold, cloudy day with temperatures in the mid 20s (about -4C). 

I believe the KH-1 has to be quickest radio to deploy on the field in situations where you do not have the radio already configured for operating. So as long as you are comfortable with the 3 supported bands with the built-in whip and tuner, all you have to do is to get the antenna screwed in, and the counterpoise connected. You're off to the races! I chose to work the 20m band today.

In the previous post [https://motopota.blogspot.com/2025/02/qrv-from-sanatorium.html]  I had talked about making a few modifications to make using the KH-1 easier in a pedestrian mobile setting. I had also mentioned difficulty using the pen and paper logging on the field in the cold. The KH-1 has a facility where it can automatically log all the CW characters sent from the rig with timestamps. This is supposed to ease logging in the field. It is enabled very quickly by going into MENU:Logging and turning it on. [See pp. 22 of the printed manual]. The log can hold up to 50000 characters, more than enough for any POTA activation. The logs can then either be browsed on the radio [the 2 line LCD will make it painful...see below] or you can use the data cable and hook up the KH-1 to the computer and use their supplied utility to view the logs.

Built-in logging on KH-1. Notice how the call sign WJ5K and spaces between words are not just right

 

On this activation, I enabled the logging. However, I am not satisfied with the results. The built-in character recognition from the paddle inputs is very picky. First off it seems to be the best at about 19-20WPM. I like to operate at 25-26wpm. But at those speeds the logged characters are not what you sent. For eg. KE8UEX would show up as KE0IEX. I am not sure what Elecraft's idea of a perfect fist is; mine is not perfect but not atrocious either. The issue is present even when I am sitting down at the table; so any issues that are due to less than ideal paddle work when being pedestrian mobile is eliminated. At around 20WPM, the character recognition is mostly good, but the spacing between them is hit and miss. I have looked around for any settings to tweak this but have not found any. So until such a time I am going to stick to paper logging. Let me know in the comments if you use the built-in logging feature and if so how is it working for you.