Activated on February 14, 2024
It’s been a while since Marco, KN6SJQ, and I played radio at the park. My modus operandi was the same, and, as it turns out, he likes the same little Mexican joint I go to when going on an activation. So, we ate, got some gas, and off we went into this adventure. It took us about 55 minutes to get there because of Los Angeles morning traffic—especially on the 10 freeway. We got to the beautiful, verdant park without incident.
My Italian friend, Marco, was quite impressed with the park and its beauty. We walked around for a bit so he could see the area. We first saw the area where all the pavilions are located, each covering about 4 tables. When Marco saw the other side, like a mesa that juts out into suburbia, he fell in love with it. We ended up in the same spot I always use when activating this park. You may have seen pictures of it in my previous activation posts at the park.
While setting up we each had our 5P failures. You know, prior planning prevents poor performance. Marco uses a tripod mounted antenna, with the counterpoise equally raised. Of course, he did not have the pole he uses to mount the counterpoise onto. I then go back to Betelgeuse to bring back my antenna tripod so he could use it for his counterpoise. As we continued to set up, I forgot to bring back my four bandpass filters. Once again, I trek back to Betelgeuse to get the filters. Now we are ready to finish setting up. Except…you know it’s coming…Marco did not bring his patch cord needed to connect the filter to the radio. Of course, now it’s a competition I think, because I also did not bring the SO-239 to female BNC adaptors needed for my filters to the park! And that’s because the combination pack I bought did not contain them! Somebody tell me how many lessons I’m learning!
After I was ready to call CQ and before doing so, I hesitantly checked If I would interfere while Marco was operating. I also checked to see if I had any issues operating myself. I found there was no interference either way and proceeded to operate without bandpass filters. Oh, I still want them, even if it’s for me alone. But I did not see any issues with my test so I pressed on with this day’s adventure.
Finally, Comedy Central is over and I spot myself and start calling CQ at about a quarter after twelve. Fifteen minutes later someone responds to my call! Now there is a combination of two factors that thwart my success with this QSO: Marco calling on side band as his voice carried quite well, and two, the QSB on the 17-meter band. My earbuds were worthless, even though they were checked off in the 5P process previously mentioned. SRI QSB 73. No Joy.
After another fifteen minutes I got my first QSO, half an hour after I started. I had two more in the bag in five more minutes. The noise floor for both Marco and I stayed consistent around S5 +/-1. There were slight differences for me depending on the band I was using at the time. Eventually I QSYed to the 20-meter band as prospects on 17-meters dried up. This is when I start noticing the weather. It was beautiful, cool, with blue skies and patchy high clouds allowing the four trees we were set up under to provide nice shade. I had a jacket that insulated me well so I would take it off when I got too warm, only to put it back on when I got chilled. This cycle continued throughout the activation.
As I was listening for operators responding to my call, a woman stopped by to ask what I was doing. Back in the 70s she would be classified as a stone-cold fox. Long black hair cascading over her peasant blouse and skirt, this lady was part of a group of women eventually gathering in a circle doing yoga, meditation, chanting, and other exercises, reminding me of someone I know. She was the first person to whom I gave one of my POTA brochures. She was interested in ham radio and previously meddled with them. Coincidently, shortly after the woman left with her group, behind me in the draw to my south, was a family of foxes frolicking and yelping in play. Of course, I could not see them as they were concealed in the brush below. Urban wildlife!
As another 15 minutes passed by, I return to 21.063 as the noise floor went up to S7-8 on the unfruitful and barren 20-meter band. I stayed here for the remainder of the activation. Eventually I logged 17 contacts, three of which came after I called QRT. Come to think of it, I should send out a QRT at the start of my activations to get that rush of responses. If I do it enough times, I might even get a pileup. Whattayathink?
My merriment did not stop there. As I am writing this, I realize I did not update my frequency changes in HAMRS! You see, I resolved last time to annotate all updates in my notebook. I did that. I annotated major updates as the activation wore on, except, of course, all the frequency changes. Even if POTA only requires the band, I only have one frequency listed in my ADI file. There is some sleuthing time ahead for me. Yes, I did follow the 5P Principle, but for that to be effective is the precursor that one must not be a LID. That’s not all, however, after setting up my camera on the trripod and getting the “perfect angle”, I simply forgot to press the record button. I am reminded of the 1914 Morton salt motto, “When it rains, it pours”.
All this folly aside, Marco and I truly enjoyed our respective activations. He learned lessons, especially that of a charged laptop and paper and pencil in case of a dead laptop. Admittedly I was distracted with the Q Sisters, the noise floor, and my Putikeeg key. I did adjust the key as I finally figured out how to do it. Still, I was still tripping on the Rs and Ls. That is for another time. In the end Marco made 28 contacts and I made 17 contacts. What amazed me was my RBN reports, of which the two most notable were Alaska and the Virgin Islands with an SNR of 18bB and 20dB, respectively. I was again impressed with the AX1 antenna.
So, did you keep count of the lessons I learned?
Ciao for niao…
Activation Statistics
Activation Number | 45 |
Date | 14 February, 2024 |
Park | K-3451 Kenneth Hann State Recreation Area |
Number of Contacts | 17 |
DX Contacts | None |
Park Activated? | Yes |
Previous Attempts | 4 |
Park to Park Contacts | None |
Mode | CW |
Radio | Elecraft KX3 |
Antenna | Elecraft AX1 |
Tuner | Buit in |
Power | 5W using a 3Ah Bioenno battery |
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