Visited on September 11th, 2024
I had a satellite image of the exact spot I was going to use for my activation. I was planning this for a couple of days, especially since it was going to be a 90-minute or so drive. My living room had a few small items, and the rest of the equipment was loaded in KindNottaJeep, my JINO (Jeep in name only), the Compass. Last-minute items were strategically placed by the front door so one trip to the car was all I needed. There were two things I needed to do after I left the house; eat breakfast and fill up the car.
My trip was uneventful as I listened to Jeremy Robinson’s book, “Hunger”, narrated by the incomparable R.C. Bray. This is a three-book series, action-adventure-fantasy-sci-fy, that will keep you entertained without stressing the gray cells. My trip progressed smoothly until I was approaching a toll road. In California. Home of the Freeway. I was approaching a toll road on the FREEway.
I opted out of this monstrosity, eventually ending up on The Pacific Coast Highway heading south. The drive south to the park had sun-tanned folks walking to and fro, small eateries and shops, bleached blonde beauties riding their bikes to the beach, with memories of the Beach Boys playing on the 8-track (Google it) belting out “California Girls”. Now, that’s California.
Because I bypassed the toll road, I entered through the northern-most entrance, expecting to turn right. I told the attendant where I was going and he told me to follow the sign to Parking Lot 4, the second parking spot. I turned left as indicated. As I was coming up on the first lot, I saw the road was closed and could not get to Parking Lot 4. So, I ducked into 5. It was the same basic idea as 4, paved trail to the cliff and a dirt path to the overlook.
Mentally something was off, however, yeah go ahead as I’m expecting the comment. About a 4th of the way to the outlook, I doubled back to the car because I did not see my pop-up. It wasn’t in the car either. Bummer. I was going to activate without shade. I almost turned back, but I am an optimist. I shoudda just called it there, but instead continued to the lookout.
Even though the trail was narrow, my setup was very space efficient, and it didn’t obstruct any portion of the trail for anyone using it. Now, I’ve been slowing down lately and not as fast as I used to be, however, by the time all was said and done, I was calling CQ POTA at 11:20. Much later than I normally do, and about 1.5 hours after arriving at the park.
Hello propagation, my old friend
I’ve come to play with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Of the beach and its waves’ beating
And the vision that was turning in my brain
Of the beach
And propagation’s silence.
Apologies to Simon and Garfunkel.
I spent twenty minutes calling CQ on 28.123 MHz before I moved on to 20 meters. I did this just as Don KC0DWZ mentioned that 20 meters had just gone flat. I spent another 25 minutes calling CQ and talking to Wolfgang, before I put a stop for lunch. Wolfgang is the son of a drafted German soldier placed in communications. His father told him that after six weeks in training, his father could recognize his friends’ fists. Even after reducing communications to 0s and 1s, his father said to him about Morse Code that “Our humanity shines through even in the most reduced communication.” This is the most romantic thing I heard about Morse Code.
“Our humanity shines through even in the most reduced communication.”
Wolfgang’s Father, Telegrapher
German Vehrmacht, WWII
After lunch, my fatigue was clearly evident, and it was time for me to pack it up. The sun had really drained me. I started recording my outro halfway through breaking camp, leaning back on the bench. The slight incline leading down towards the overlook was wonderful. However, I would pay for that delight on my way back. I made three stops and when I got to the car, I languished in the full bast of the air conditioning for about 20 minutes. My drive home was uneventful, save the fact that I had more traffic.
Prior planning and all that, and I still failed with missing to take the pop-up. I do not think I will forget that item again. It did not affect my contacts, as there were none, but it sure made it much more tiring—not to mention the heat stress.
Next time, yeah that’s the ticket! Next time.
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