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.  

 

K-8010 New Years Day activation!

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

POTA on Christmas Day?

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

 

 

NC K-6909 Harris State Game Land My biggest solo activation yet! 116 qso’s It amazes me how what ever configuration you need to use to set up your Endfed antenna it still works. Thanks for the hunters and p2p. The day started out foggy then it rained I ended up operating from the car with my professional looking installation.

Be sure to follow my POTA here.

 

MFJ-1984HP, ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M

IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

Operators Mark N4MQU

Very satisfying day activating my new home park once we close on our Wendell home. 103 contacts a new personal best for solo activations.  Thanks to all the hunters and P2P.  We had a first today a Mark to Mark contact.  We think it should be part of the award program. 
I talked to the ranger on the way out.  Very friendly.  POTA friendly park.

For the prior article on this park see K-8010 #1 20220709.

For my complete POTA report see POTA

 

My first activation at my new residence.  NC K-6934 Pee Dee River State Game Land I see 4 POTA parks that I can easily get to. Living in the metropolitan area of Raleigh in order to activate the parks you had to work around traffic.  I see more activations in my future of multiple parks.  I could only tune 20 and 15 meters and only made contacts on 20. Thanks to the hunters and p2p. De n4mqu