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