I happened to be in the vicinity of Ridley Creek State Park (US-1414, KFF-1414) yesterday morning, so I stopped there on my way home. My short activation turned out to be an interesting one.
I pulled into one of the picnic areas and, because of the questionable weather, I operated from my truck. I was using my Penntek TR-35 (5W) and a 17-foot base-loaded whip. As soon as I got started, I was met with some horrendous intermittent interference on 40M through 17M. This area is normally dead quiet, so this was highly unusual. I initially suspected it might be coming from a hybrid car parked in the area. Despite the noise, I still managed to make CW contacts and complete my activation.
WB3GCK and K3YR (r) at Ridley Creek State Park (Photo credit: K3YR)
As I was making my last QSO of the morning, a fellow walked up to the truck and introduced himself. Herb K3YR had been operating from a nearby picnic pavilion and could hear my CW. He saw my POTA spot and figured I had to be somewhere nearby. As he walked around the loop, he spotted my antenna and came over for an “eyeball QSO.” Since the noise I had been hearing stopped right before Herb showed up, we both assumed it was his SSB transmissions I was hearing.
Herb K3YR activating Ridley Creek State Park
After chatting for a bit, Herb headed back to the pavilion to continue his activation, and I started packing up to leave. I stopped by the pavilion on my way out to have a look at his setup. After we took some pictures, I got on my way.
I’ve only encountered other activators in the same park a handful of times over the years, but I’ve met some really nice fellow hams that way.
This was supposed to be a post about how I made a bazillion POTA/WWFF contacts in an hour. Yeah, well, that didn’t happen. However, I had some interesting visitors stop during my (attempted) activation.
I made a trip over to French Creek State Park (US-1355, KFF-1355) for a short activation and a little antenna experimentation. To make sure I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way, I set up at a picnic table well away from the parking lot.
My KH1 and CWMouse paddles
My antenna today was a vertical wire just under 18 feet fed through a homebrew 9:1 unun with a counterpoise wire just under 9 feet. I ran 20 feet of RG-316 coax over to my Elecraft KH1 on the picnic table. I had used this antenna configuration with my Penntek TR-35 and T1 ATU a few times in the past. While it worked well with that rig, I wanted to see how it would work with the KH1’s ATU.
My antenna with Hopewell Lake in the background.
My first visitors showed up just as I was getting started. It was about six Canada geese who wandered over about 20 feet from my antenna. One of them had a bad attitude and hissed at me when I went over to check the antenna. I calmly told him to buzz off; I was here first. They wisely moved on, de-escalating the situation. I’m pleased to report that no humans or geese were harmed during this brief but intense standoff.
Radio-wise, I wasn’t having much luck. QSOs were few and far between. On paper, the band conditions didn’t look too bad, so I’m not sure what my issue was.
My third contact was an ear-shattering call from my friend N3CU. Ken was also in the park somewhere, so that accounted for his loud signal. I told him where I was, and he came over to visit. I last ran into Ken in French Creek back in January, so it was great catching up with him. Eventually, Ken headed off to continue his activation.
Ken N3CU (left) and me at French Creek State Park (Selfie courtesy of N3CU)
After I got back on the air, I heard a noise in the woods behind me. It was a hiker coming off a trail. He was curious about my antenna, so I gave him my Amateur Radio and Parks on the Air “elevator speech.” After a brief chat, he headed off toward the lake.
After I had six 20M contacts in my log, I moved down to 30M. Just then, another fellow came up to see what I was doing. I was wearing my Navy ball cap, so that prompted five or ten minutes’ worth of “sea stories.”
While we were swapping tall tales, I had the KH1 calling CQ with one of my earbuds in my ear. I heard N3CU calling, so I told my visitor I needed to answer a call. He wished me good luck and headed off towards the parking lot. I needed to get back home, so I shut down and packed up after finishing up with Ken.
So, after an hour and a half, I only had seven contacts in my log. This was my first busted activation in quite some time, but I don’t consider it a failure. I was out in a beautiful park with excellent weather, and I got to catch up with a friend and chat with some other random visitors.
I’m sure I’ll have better luck on the radio next time.
For the third year in a row, the Boschveldt QRP Club (W3BQC) held its annual winter outing in a cabin in French Creek State Park. For a variety of reasons, we had a smaller than usual group this year. Regardless, it was a fun weekend of catching up with old friends, eating some good food, and playing radio in the park.
Our cabin in French Creek State Park
When I arrived Friday afternoon, Ed K3YTR was already in the cabin. After unloading my gear and settling in, I wanted to squeeze in a quick POTA/WWFF activation (US-1355, KFF-1355) before the rest of the crew arrived. I operated from the truck using my Penntek TR-35 and 12-foot loaded whip. After 14 quick contacts on 20M and 17M, I headed back inside the cabin to warm up.
Ed K3YTR with his KX3 station in a box (Photo credit: NK1N)
Glen NK1N rolled in from New Jersey later in the day. He put up an 85-foot inverted vee and used his Elecraft KX2 from inside the cabin. Over the course of the weekend, Glen activated the park using our club’s callsign, W3BQC. We wrapped up the first day with a lasagna dinner and some socializing.
Glen NK1N operating from the cabin
Walt KB3SBC also stopped by on Friday and stayed for dinner. Special thanks to Walt for making sure we had a coffee maker and plenty of coffee for the weekend—a crucial part of every Boschveldt QRP Club gathering.
On Saturday morning, we had some snow starting. I drove over to the Hopewell Lake boat launch for another quick activation before the roads got too bad. Using the same setup as the day before, I hopped on 40M. The activity was fast and furious. After about 30 minutes, I had an inch of snow in the bed of the truck, and it was coming in through the window I fed my coax through. I wrapped up with 28 contacts in my log, including an ear-shattering park-to-park QSO with W3BQC (NK1N operating) less than a mile away back at the cabin.
WB3GCK operating at the boat launch in the snow
Snow piling up on my homebrew loading coil
Later on Saturday, Ed K3BVQ joined us and set up his MFJ travel loop antenna inside the cabin. With his indoor antenna, Ed was busy making contacts with a four-watt YouKits rig and a straight key. Chris W3CJW also stopped by for a visit.
Ed K3BVQ operating from the cabin with his indoor loop antenna
Saturday evening we drove into town for dinner at a local restaurant. We capped off the night by watching an old science fiction movie projected onto a screen hung on the wall.
We woke up Sunday morning to another round of snow. After breakfast, NK1N and K3BVQ got back on their radios to make some more contacts.
During the weekend, we noticed that Ken N3CU was doing a POTA activation somewhere in the park. It turned out that Ken was in a cabin just down the road from us, and he stopped by for a visit. Ken and I had worked each other many times over the years, so it was a pleasure to finally meet him in person. Ken had a successful weekend, completing his POTA Kilo award at French Creek. By virtue of his visit, Ken also became our newest Boschveldt QRP Club member.
Ken N3CU and (and future ham), Stephanie, stopped by to visit on Sunday morning.
K3BVQ and I packed up to head out on Sunday afternoon, while NK1N and K3YTR stayed over for one more night. According to the POTA website, W3BQC had close to 80 contacts over the weekend.
In true Boschveldt QRP Club fashion, our weekend get-togethers are as much about socializing as getting on the radio. Although illness and competing obligations prevented some of our regulars from attending, it was great to spend the weekend hanging out with some old ham radio friends.
I drove over to Norristown Farm State Park (US-4363, KFF-4363) for a quick activation. The bands weren’t very “QRP-friendly,” but I made the required 10 contacts plus another half-dozen for good measure.
I went with my usual setup: TR-35 (5 watts, CW) and my 12-foot loaded whip. After getting things setup, I tuned around the 40M band and heard Greg WA3GM booming in. Greg was operating from a POTA gathering at Evansburg State Park (US-1351). Since we were only about five miles apart, it was an easy park-to-park contact.
My antenna at Norristown Farm State Park (US-4363, KFF-4363)
After making 13 contacts on 40M, I moved up to 30M. My only QSO there was with W3WJ who was operating from Tyler State Park (US-1430, KFF-1430) about 20 miles away (as the crow flies). Our signals weren’t very strong, but we completed the park-to-park contact.
I finished up with 16 contacts, three of which were park-to-park. I made all but one of them on 40M.
Since I wasn’t too far away, I stopped by Evansburg State Park on my way home. The POTA gathering, sponsored by the Pottstown Area Amateur Radio Club (PAARC), was easy to find. The plethora of antennas was a dead giveaway. There were quite a few local hams there, and a good time was being had by all. After saying hello to WA3GM, KB3SBC, and a few others, I continued on my way home.
The PAARC in the Park POTA Event at Evansburg State Park (US-1351)
We’re finally getting some warm weather here in southeastern Pennsylvania, so it was a nice morning to be out in the parks.
My (far) better half and I spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at home this time around. That gave me the opportunity to close out the old year and welcome the new year with a couple of POTA activations.
New Year’s Eve
For my last activation of the year. I headed up to Evansburg State Park (K-1351, KFF-1351). I normally like to start fairly early, since I rarely run into other activators at 9:30AM. Today was different.
On arrival, I pulled into one of my usual parking spots. As I started setting up, I noticed an antenna off in the distance. I walked over and found RC KC3HRV getting ready to start his activation. After chatting for a bit, I drove to another spot a little further down the road to avoid interfering with him. Hopefully, my 5-watt CW signal didn’t cause problems for his SSB operation.
KC3HRV getting ready to activate Evansburg State Park (K-1351)
I used my usual setup: Penntek TR-35 (5 watts, CW) and my 12-ft whip and homebrew loading coil combination. Starting off on 40M, I logged my first 10 contacts in 15 minutes. Among those contacts was my ARES-RACES colleague, Frank N3FLL. I had given Frank a heads-up via the local repeater during my drive to the park.
After 30 minutes, I switched to 17M, a band I haven’t used much lately. That turned out to be a good choice. I had 10 European contacts today: Germany (3), Italy (3), France (2), England, and Slovak Republic.
I stopped after an hour with 41 contacts in my log. There were no park-to-park contacts I know of. It looks like WM4P in Florida was my last QSO for 2023.
New Year’s Day
I kicked off 2024 with a return visit to Ridley Creek State Park (K-1414, KFF-1414). My strategy was to start off as POTA activation, marking myself as “QRT” on the spotting page after making 10 contacts. Then, I planned to switch to my straight key to make some Straight Key Night (SKN) contacts. (Spoiler Alert: That didn’t happen.)
Ridley Creek State Park (K-1414, KFF-1414) on New Year’s Day
Using the same equipment set up as the day before, I started off on 40M. My first QSO of 2024 was with W8CAR in Ohio. The hunters were out in full force; it only took me nine minutes to log my first ten. My friend, Frank N3FLL, was one of them once again. There was so much POTA activity, I forgot all about my SKN plans. After the activity on 40M slowed down, I bounced back and forth between 30M and 17M.
After an hour and a half, I had 65 QSOs in my log, including five park-to-park contacts. The 17M band didn’t seem as strong as the day before, but I still worked six European stations: France (2), Italy (2), Germany, and Slovak Republic.
Radio-wise, 2024 is off to a pretty good start for me. I hope you all have an great year as well.
I made a return trip to Fort Washington State Park (K/KFF-1352) this morning for a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation. I activated this park back in October of last year, so I wanted to give it another go today. Along with some over-the-air contacts, I made a fun eyeball QSO.
My location and setup were nearly identical to my last visit. I started on 40M, and within a few minutes, the POTA hunters showed up. After I had logged 14 contacts, I was getting ready to change bands. I noticed a car going by with a familiar callsign on its license plate.
Greg WA3GM turned around and stopped behind my truck. I have worked Greg many times in recent years. He’s a frequent POTA activator and a fellow SKCC member. Despite those contacts, we have never met in person. After chatting for a few minutes, Greg left to find somewhere to set up for his activation.
After spending some time on 30M and 20M, I did some searching and pouncing to pick up a few park-to-park contacts. Right before pulling the plug, I found Greg on 40M and had a quick park-to-park QSO with him. Of course, we were 599 both ways.
Greg WA3GM activating Fort Washington State Park (K-1352)
I packed up my gear and spent some time driving around the park to see if I could find Greg. I found him less than a mile away, operating from a picnic table near some group campsites. Greg was using his trusty Rybakov antenna. We chatted for a while and learned that we have a bunch of friends in common. After posing for some selfies, I let Greg get back to his activation and headed off on my drive home.
WA3GM (left) and WB3GCK during a chance POTA meet-up in Fort Washington State Park (K-1352)
I ended up with 19 contacts in my log, with 3 park-to-park contacts and a nice eyeball QSO.
WB3GCK QRP Amateur Radio 