WB3GCK QRP Amateur Radio

Ridley Creek DX

I made a run down to Ridley Creek State Park (K-1414, KFF-1414) for an early POTA activation. I usually do well at this park, but this morning was something else.

Using my usual Penntek TR-35 (5 watts), along with my 12-foot whip and homebrew coil, I made my first ten contacts on 40M in ten minutes. Among those was VE3WMB, a fellow Polar Bear QRPer. When things slowed down on 40M, I moved up to 20M. That’s when things really got interesting.

The WB3GCK "QRPmobile" at Ridley Creek State Park (K-1414, KFF-1414) — The WB3GCK “QRPmobile” at Ridley Creek State Park (K-1414, KFF-1414)

After I started calling CQ on 20M, I spotted myself on the WWFF spotting page. A minute later, the European stations came out to play. Between the stateside and European hunters, things got pretty busy. Up on 17M, for example, I had a string of six DX stations in a row.

When I wrapped up after 90 minutes, I had 52 QSOs in my log, with five park-to-park contacts. I had a total of 13 European contacts today, including:

Italy: IW2NXI, IK1GPG
Finland: OH1MM
Germany: DL1EBR, DL1HB, DG1KJG
Sweden: SM4BNZ
France: F4ILH, F4HZR, F6EOC
Denmark: OZ1IPP
Latvia (a new one for me): YL2TQ
Poland: SP6GNJ

I think today’s activation was a combination of a site with good elevation, good band conditions, and some DX stations with exceptional ears.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Back to the Farm

I made a long overdue visit to a nearby park yesterday. Norristown Farm State Park (K-4363, KFF-4363) is only about 30 minutes away, but it has been six years since my last activation. So, I set out to rectify that.

This time around, I parked in the lot near the park office, a few spaces away from where I parked six years ago. Being a working farm, this parking lot is surrounded by cornfields, making it an unusual setting for a state park.

Operating from Norristown Farm Park (K-4363, KFF-4363)

This time around, I used my current go-to setup: Penntek TR-35 (5 watts) and 12-foot loaded whip. I noticed that there was some local noise on the bands. It was most noticeable on portions of the 20M band. Undeterred, I got on the air.

I started on 40M, but that was slow going. After logging three contacts, I moved up to 20M, where I spent most of my time. I also checked 17M, and that band seemed in good shape as well.

After an hour and 20 minutes, I logged 34 contacts, including five park-to-park contacts. Some highlights:

European contacts with Spain, Italy, and Germany. (WWFF spots always seem to bring out the DX stations.)
K4NYM called me on 17M from Florida. Bill was working a “3-fer,” giving me three park-to-park contacts with one QSO. Thanks, Bill!

I’m not sure why it took me so long to get back here, but I’ll definitely visit more often.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Back to White Clay Creek Preserve

I had a rare weekday free from my usual family obligations, so I went out to activate a park. It had been almost a year since I last activated White Clay Creek State Preserve (K-4633), so that was my destination this morning.

Located near the Pennsylvania-Delaware border, the Preserve is about an hour away from home. I parked near the park office and got set up. I used my usual setup: my TR-35 (5 watts) and 12-foot whip with my homebrew loading coil.

My truck at White Clay Creek State Preserve (K-6433)

Starting out on 40M, it took me about 15 minutes to make my first 10 contacts. The 20M band was in pretty good shape, so I spent most of my time there. I also made some contacts on 17M before packing up.

This park doesn’t get activated too often, so I had a steady stream of hunters today. After about 90 minutes, I had 50 contacts in my log. I had one DX contact (F4ILH) but no park-to-park contacts (that I know of).

Thanks to all the hunters for a fun morning.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Working DX in Valley Forge

After spending the morning traveling to watch my grandson play soccer, I had some time to go play radio. I made a trip to nearby Valley Forge National Historical Park (K-0761, KFF-0761) for a quick activation. I almost talked myself out of going, but I’m glad I went ahead with it.

I pulled into a trailhead parking lot, where I’ve operated from a bunch of times in the past. I used my Penntek TR-35 (5 watts) in the truck, with my 12-foot whip and homebrew coil mounted on the back.

My location at the Yellow Spring Road trailhead in Valley Forge National Historical Park

I started off on 40M, but I only made two contacts there. The 20M band was where the action was this afternoon. I searched around for some park-to-park contacts before parking on a frequency and calling CQ. I spotted myself on the POTA website, and the hunters started calling. Today, I also spotted myself on the WWFF spotting page. Right after that, I started getting calls from DX stations.

After operating for about an hour and 20 minutes, I had 44 contacts in the log, with five park-to-park QSOs. Twelve of my contacts were with DX stations on 20M and 17M. I worked the following countries today:

Italy (3 contacts. One station worked me on two bands.)
Sweden (2 contacts)
France (2 contacts)
Ukraine
Finland
Poland
Czech Republic
Switzerland (WWFF park-to-park)

I also worked Michael VA2NB, a fellow Polar Bear QRPer operating from Quebec.

Well, that sure was fun today. When I have to talk myself into doing an activation, I usually end up having a good time.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Rainy Morning at K-1351

I headed out for an early morning activation at Evansburg State Park (K-1351, KFF-1351). The weather forecast was calling for scattered showers today. I consulted my weather radar app before leaving the house. It looked like I could get an activation done before the next round of rain came through. Ha!

It was raining lightly when I got to the park, and it continued most of the time I was there. I set up my homebrew loading coil and 12-ft whip on the back of the truck. I used a plastic shopping bag to fashion a “raincoat” to protect the coil from the elements. To keep things classy, I used a bag from a local dollar store. It looked pretty cheesy, but it worked. I used my TR-35 (5 watts) in the cab of the truck.

An improvised "raincoat" for my homebrew loading coil — An improvised “raincoat” for my homebrew loading coil

Despite the lousy weather, I had a successful activation. After 90 minutes of operating, I had 45 QSOs in the log with 5 known park-to-park contacts. The 40M band was the most productive for me today. I had 22 contacts on 40M, with the rest divided between 30M and 20M.

Thanks to all the hunters out there who kept me busy this morning.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Zombie Shuffle 2023

Zombies were out haunting the bands last night, during the Zombie Shuffle. As always, I had fun taking part in this crazy QRP event.

Once again, I operated from home using my KX3 and rain gutter antenna. I always have some local noise issues, but this year the noise was a bit lower than usual.

I got on the air and immediately encountered a zombie bonus station on 20M. From there, I was off and running. I worked nine more zombies on 40M before taking an extended dinner break.

In the exchange, you get to use a name of your choosing. This year, I once again used “Bones.”

I got on the radio again after dark, but there seemed to be fewer zombies to work. Normally, the rain gutter antenna goes long on 40M after dark. Last night was different, though. I worked a fair number of my fellow Pennsylvanians and one Delaware zombie. I don’t often work Delaware stations on 40M, especially after dark. Maybe the bands really were haunted last night.

After a while, I was running out of zombies to work. I even invoked the “Rebirth Rule” for the first time this year. This rule says you can work the same station on a band every two hours. I eventually pulled the plug and went upstairs to watch game #1 of the World Series.

I ended up with 17 zombies in the log, which is my new personal best in this wacky event. Three were on 20M and the rest were on 40M. My previous personal best was 14 back in 2021. My compromised antenna didn’t do too badly for me this time around.

Before I worked my first zombie, I had a quick POTA contact with KQ1P in Maine. That QSO turned out to be my 500th park as a hunter.

As always, I have to thank Paul NA5N and Jan N0QT for organizing this fun event. Until next year, it’s back to the crypt for this zombie.

72, Craig WB3GCK

One Activation for the Road

I had a little time this morning before heading out of town for a family event. It’s been a while since I last visited Marsh Creek State Park (K-1380, KFF-1380), so I made a quick trip over there.

I operated from the parking lot at the West Lauch area of the park. Despite the hilly terrain leading down to the boat launch, I’ve always had good luck there. The beautiful view of the lake is a bonus, too.

My view at Marsh Creek State Park (K-1380, KFF-1380)

For my antenna, I went with my 12-whip and homebrew loading coil combination. I used my TR-35 (5 watts) in the truck.

The bands were in pretty good shape, which made for a busy activation. After operating for 50 minutes, I finished up with 30 contacts. Twenty-two contacts were on 40M, and the rest were on 30M. I had two park-to-park contacts I know of.

It was a short activation but a lot of fun. And now it’s time to hit the road to visit family.

73, Craig WB3GCK

Repeat Offender at French Creek

Looking through my POTA stats, I noticed I was one activation away from a Repeat Offender Award for French Creek State Park (K-1355). So, I set out today for my 20th activation for this park. For many POTA activators, this is a trivial milestone. But for a casual activator like me, it takes a while to get to that point.

The Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) Weekend Sprintathon (WES) was going on this weekend. I hadn’t taken part in a WES in a while, so I started off using a straight key and calling “CQ WES.” My first eight contacts were with SKCC members. After that, I spotted myself and started calling “CQ POTA.”

The 40M band was in great shape this morning, with lots of POTA activity. In fact, all of my contacts were on 40M. In about an hour and 15 minutes, I ended up with 23 contacts. Among those were four park-to-park contacts.

My parking spot at French Creek State Park (K-1355, KFF-1355)

I used my 12-foot whip and homebrew loading coil for the second time today. I like that I can set it up in a couple of minutes. Once again, it worked like a champ. I think it will probably my go-to antenna for stationary-mobile operation. Inside the truck, I used my trusty TR-35 (5 watts).

And with that, POTA activation #20 at French Creek State Park is in the books.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Hunkered Down at K-1351

It had been a while since my last portable outing, so I was itching to get out today. The weather forecast, however, was calling for periods of heavy rain and gusting wind. Fortunately, I had a plan in mind to deal with the weather.

I made a quick trip up to nearby Evansburg State Park (K-1351, KFF-1351). It was rainy on the drive there, but tapered off by the time I reached the park. According to the weather radar app on my phone, another round of nasty weather was likely.

In order to use my usual truck-mounted antennas, I have to open up the tonneau cover. I had some things back there that I needed to keep dry, so I opted to set up under a large picnic pavilion. It’s no surprise that it was unoccupied. Who wants to hold a picnic on a rainy day in October, anyway?

My operating position under a pavilion at Evansburg State Park (K-1351, KFF-1351)

I pressed my Alexloop into service today, so I could keep my whole station under cover. Since my TR-35 doesn’t have an SWR indicator, I used a homebrew resistive SWR bridge. The resistive bridge is a little too sensitive on 40M and 30M, so I have to reduce the TR-35’s output power in order to see the null on the LED indicator.

My rig at Evansburg State Park (K-1351, KFF-1351). My homebrew resistive SWR bridge is the silver box to the right.

I started out on 20M, and things got off to a quick start. I logged seven contacts in the first few minutes. After that, it dried up. I picked up two more on 30M, but I was wondering if I was going to make it to 10 contacts before the next band of storms moved in.

I dropped down to 40M, and the activity picked up again. Even though it’s the least efficient band for the Alexloop, I always have good luck there. It was my most productive band today.

The rain wasn’t the big problem today; it was the wind gusts. I had to stop twice to pick up things that blew off the table. So, after just under an hour, I called it quits. I finished up with 21 contacts in the log. I had one park-to-park contact today (that I know of).

Despite the inclement weather, it wasn’t a bad day.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Marshalton Triathlon 2023

I was out yesterday with my local ARES-RACES group providing communications support for the Marshalton Triathlon, here in Chester County, Pennsylvania. This popular event combines cycling, canoeing, and fast walking. I always look forward to volunteering for this event each year.

Once again, I was at the end of the 2.3-mile canoeing segment, known as “Canoe Out.” This is my favorite assignment and one that I request each year. The folks working at this location help the participants out of their canoes and retrieve the canoes for transport back to the starting point. I was situated on a bridge with a superb view of the Brandywine River. Compared to the rainy weather we had last year, the weather this year was just about perfect for this time of year.

A selfie taken from my vantage point on the bridge during the Marshalton Triathlon
Canoeists waiting to exit their canoes
The boat handlers getting a load of canoes ready to go back upriver. They use a system of rollers to help move the canoes up from the river.
My truck parked on the bridge across the Brandywine River

From a communications standpoint, this event is pretty simple. An HT was the only equipment I needed. Most of my communications involved coordinating with the folks at the “Canoe In” location upriver, letting them know when a load of canoes was headed back to them.

I didn’t hear of any serious incidents on the course, so that’s good news. There was a report of an overturned canoe, but the participants were able to get back in their boat and continue downriver.

This is our group’s last public service event for the year. We’ll be back out on the Brandywine River in the Spring supporting the Northbrook Canoe Challenge.

73, Craig WB3GCK