N4MQU

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Jan
26

NC K-3848 #1 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Location:NC K-3848 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Moore County

Date: 20230124

52 contacts 

83rd activation 

 

Equipment 

  • MFJ-1984HP, ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M
  • IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

Operator Mark N4MQU

On my way to my class in Raleigh yesterday I had fun activating my 32 park NC K-3848 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. I introduced my self to the attended to let him know I was there to do amateur radio then after I set up the ranger came by. I let him know I had checked in. He thanked me for doing that. Unlike the last two activations no swr issues on 20 and 40. Tip try throwing your rope backwards to get it on the limb you want. I had a blast. KO4GOM of Pinehurst came by and introduce himself. I encouraged him to upgrade and get active again. Paper logs make it easier to catch multiple stations. Thanks to the hunters and p2p.

K-3848 #1 The Movie 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_13348" align="alignnone" width="2560"] KO4GOM[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_13344" align="alignnone" width="2104"] Initial p2p[/caption]

Jan
21

VA K-7797 #1 Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve

Equipment 

  • MFJ-1984HP, ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M
  • IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver
  • CW Morse Blue Micro Morse Code Key W/ Aluminum Base

Operator Mark N4MQU

Date:1/20/2023

Well I made the first two CW contacts for VA Park K-7797 Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve and my first two contacts on CW as an activator. KC1ILQ and N4AWP.  They had to be really patient with me.  I used my new CW Morse key. Great key and great company.  The key worked right out of the box.
I had a little trouble with high SWR. I had two move the antenna a couple of times before I got it good for 20.  

 

Jan
07

K-8010 #7

K-8010 New Years Day activation!

Activation on New Years Day? You bet a short activation due to time constraints but 11 contacts.

Jan
07

K-8010 #5 & 6

POTA on Christmas Day?

You bet but I had to work from inside the car with my professional installation due to the cold weather.

 

 

Dec
25

K-8010 #4


NC K-8010 Mckinney Lake State Fish Hatchery. Thanks to all the hunters and p2p. Had to work from the car this morning. My professional set up. Sorry I had to leave some of you hanging band was kind of noisy. I am trying for my repeat offender for this park. I hope to get back to hunting soon. I am without a home station now do to me moving. Follow my POTA activities on my website. I hope Facebook doesn’t start charging all this history could be lost de n4mqu https://n4mqu.com/pota/

Dec
22

K-8010 #3

If everything goes well next month this will be my new home park. NC K-8010 McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery.  This park has some family connections.  My father was born just down the street from the park.  I’ve spoken to the ranger a couple of times and met his dogs on this activation. This was the first time I was able to toss the throw line over the limb I wanted to place it the first time. Please take a look at the video.

A question about audio.  Early in this activation someone said I needed to add more base to my audio.  I didn’t hear a call sign but he added my audio sounded terrible.  I do have a high pitch voice and maybe he had never heard me before.  What do you think? I ignored him but if you would like to give a helpful suggestion please send me Email.  The radio I usually use is an IC-706MKIIG.  

Please follow my activities on my POTA page.  

Thanks for reading.

Dec
16

K-6854 #1 Town Creek Indian Mound Getting my Gold Activator Award

i have been a amateur radio operator for over 38 years and getting into the Parks on the Air (POTA) has been the rewarding activity I have ever done in amateur radio in the area of learning about portable operations and antennas. I activated my 30th park today and achieved my Gold Activator award.

[caption id="attachment_13259" align="alignnone" width="1866"] Gold Activator (30) parks[/caption]

When a park has a visitor center with staff I usually let them know that I will be setting up my radio and invite them or visitors to come out.  This has paid off by getting invited to park events and getting to introduce the staff to amateur radio.

Thanks to all the hunters and P2P.

Follow my POTA activities on my POTA page.

 

Dec
12

K-3841 2 & 3 Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Location: NC K-3841  Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Date: 202201209
15 contacts

Date: 202201210 
43 contacts 

Equipment 

  • MFJ-1984HP, ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M
  • IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

Operators Mark N4MQU, Chris W4CEC (part of first day)

It was so cold even the fire turned blue.  The temperature didn’t reflect how cold I felt. I even wore my insulated suit and didn’t help much.  I didn’t operate as much as I planned but did make 15 contacts on the first day and 43 on the second day.

 

 

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