Location: NC K-6835 Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site

Date: 20221029

Equipment 

• Chameleon Portable HF Antenna CHA HYBRID Micro
• IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

There are various options in setting up the vertical antenna.  I used the Cha Spike Mount. With no counterpoise.  
Today amateur radio was invited by the parks administrator to operate our amateur radios.  We had 12 licensed amateurs and their families show up,

Thanks to all the licensed amateurs that I remembered. If I didn’t list you let me know.

• N4MQU
• K4HNT
• KN4DLM
• KN4RZD
• KI4NBV
• K3UI
• KO4TAZ
• kE4LJV
• NY4NC
• KE4NKY 
• W2CK
• K4KDP

Fall Festival Stats

 

 

 

Location: NC K-3854 Middlesex 

Date: 20220922

Equipment 

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

For the first time I noticed the Endfed didn’t take an hour to set up.  I was able to erect the antenna with only throwing the line only 3 times.  I guess it goes to show you that practice makes perfect.

 

Location: NC K-6947 #1 Sandhills State Game Land

Date: 20220918

69 contacts 

Equipment 

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

• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner 

Operator Mark N4MQU

 

 

 

Date: 20220916

Equipment 

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

• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner

 

 

Follow my activations on my POTA page.

Location: NC K-6923 #1 Tar River State Game Land

Date: 20220916

31 contacts 

Equipment 

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

• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner 

Operators Brandon KO4YJA, Trip N4NTO, Mark N4MQU

Some parks we go to do not have paved walkways and manicured grounds so be careful and stay hydrated and be aware of your surroundings.

IMG_3151

 

Location: NC K-6956 #1 Tar River State Game Land

Date: 20220916

24 contacts 

Equipment 

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

• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner 

Operators Brandon KO4YJA, Trip N4NTO, Mark N4MQU

 

This was a spur of the moment activation.  I had wanted to activate the parks in Tarboro  and I had asked my friend N4NTO about access etc. It turned out he wanted to activate parks but hadn’t done it and wanted to get with someone with some experience before he did a solo activation.

I unloaded my equipment and gave an overview of what we were going to do.  I had packed my straight key with me and pout that in line and before I knew it Tripp was making contacts.  By the way back in the 80’s Tripp was one of the Elmer’s that helped me increase my CW speed to 13 wpm so I could upgrade to General.  In the meantime The Sheriff (Brandon) showed up ready to do his first activation. So we had 3 operators for the park. Tripp and Brandon really did a great job.  Brandon was the lead operator and really showed his radio skills.

K-6956 did have a bit of a line noise in the park should you decide to activate it. See the article with the video on the line noise

 

Location: NC K-3854 Middlesex 
Date: 20220913

Equipment 

• Chameleon Portable HF Antenna CHA HYBRID Micro
• IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver
• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner

There are various options in setting up the vertical antenna.  Today I started with the antenna mounted on the trailer hitch. I also added a counterpoise.  The first contact was my friend n4awp. He said he could barely hear me.

As you can see the antenna is leaning.  I decided to move it from the jaw mount to the spike mount.

it is still leaning but it is acceptable.  I added three counterpoise to the antenna. After I connected the radio the 40 meter band the swr was good but 20 was bad.  I had to add the tuner.

So it turned out to be a good day for activating since I got my 10 contacts but I kept loosing my shade. I didn’t stay as long as I would have liked.

Here is one option I used at a park, my luggage rack.

 

 

Location: NC K-3854 Middlesex 

Date: 20220912

Equipment 

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

• MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner

 

The trials of setting up and end fed is daunting for me.  I have 3 options. Potato gun, fishing rod, or throw line.  So far the potato gun seems to work best for me.  The only draw back is the compressor but that isn’t too bad.  I am not a fisherman so the fishing rod hasn’t worked for me.  The throw line may work when there is a clear line of trees.

The other problem I have is preventing getting the wire and rope tangled.

One possible key is to carefully putting away the rope and wire as you pack from your activation.  I have a tendency to be in a hurry to pack up after an activation. 
I’ve enjoyed using various bands during my activations.  I still want to add more bands and add CW and data. Thanks to all the hunters and p2p.

Follow my activations on my POTA page.