I had some free time today so I made a quick trip to a local park for some mid-week QRP-portable operating. My plan for today was to make some Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) contacts.
Upper Schuylkill Valley Park is one of my “go-to” places to operate. Today, my truck was the only vehicle in the parking lot. I set up my 19-foot vertical in the back of the truck, broke out my KX3 and MS2 straight key and got on the air.
I started on 40M near the SKCC calling frequency. My first “CQ SKCC” call was met with an immediate response. I like when that happens. I worked four more SKCC members (including special event station, K3Y/1) and had a nice rag chew with a non-member in Georgia before moving to 20M.
My 19-foot vertical has worked like gangbusters for me on 40M but I haven’t spent much time on 20M with it. While on 20M today, I worked SKCC special event stations in Nebraska (K3Y/0), California (K3Y/6) and Oregon (K3Y/7). Not too bad for QRP from eastern Pennsylvania. I guess the vertical gets out reasonably well on 20M.
After an hour and a half or so, I packed up and headed home to warm up (it was only 27° F today).
This was fun. I need to get out during the week more often.
72, Craig WB3GCK
WB3GCK QRP Amateur Radio 