This was a joint activation with N4AED and N4MQU.

 

My fourth activation 

I added a trailer hitch mount to my car.

My third activation at this park.

N4AED and I activated this park.  We learned we really have to make sure we complete our packing by closing time.  

 

 

Having a free place to stay near parks is a great situation to be in.  It was this way when I activated my first non camping Virginia Park.  I was nervous being in an area all alone.  

I recently became involved with Parks on the air (POTA).  I had always tried to answer someone when I heard them call parks on the air so when we started planning the camping trip and a friend wanted to activate the Staunton River State Park, I finally activated my membership in September.  I was surpised to find I had 26 contacts that is the reason for the awards close together.

1. Silver Hunter 9/13/2021
2. Bronze Hunter 9/13/2021
3. Gold Hunter 9/13/2021
4. Platinum Hunter 9/19/21
5. Diamond Hunter 9/25/21
6. Saphire Hunter 10/9/21

I activated my first park along with KE4NKY and had a blast.  It just happened to be a Internatinal Dark Sky site that goes along with my other hobby astronomy.  To say I had no idea what was happening would by an understatement.

The nice thing about POTA is that you can combine camping and your amateur radio hobby together.

 

Campground notes:  Great campground. Clean restrooms. Power available.Online reservations available. Easy to change camping dates for weather, etc.

 

My friend K4HNT indicated to me an interest in joining me in activating his first park.  We chose a hot day in May.  We were successful. I initially put my Chameleon antenna on top of the car.

 

 

This is a recap of my first solo activation weekend at K-1299 First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, VA. This park happens to be near my hometown of Norfolk, VA. The trip was first planned as a camping POTA (amateur radio) weekend but turned out to be a family, camping, POTA weekend.  See The article   It was planned with a record two week lead time.  

First chance I had to operate came on Saturday.  I set up my Vertical antenna.  My first goal is to make 1 contact. My second goal is to make 10 contacts and activate the park.

Sunday contacts 

After the family left I started a fire. Just a little hint if there is a build up of ashes clear it out.

I started operating at 7:00 PM ET  thinking  the late shift started. I found out it didn’t start until 8:00 PM. So I was able to get the Saturday, Sunday and Monday activated because in UTC time changes to the next day at 8:00 PM. Does anyone else get confused about UTC? 
Some of my amateur friends get over a 100 contacts. I was satisfied to just activating a park.

Monday at this time it started getting dark and I should have had my lantern with me.  I was able to hold my frequency and tell me fans to excuse me while I retrieved my lantern.

A new neighbor from the campground came by and asked to borrow a can opener. I was able to provide him one. He said he was from Virginia Beach and was there just for the night. I explained what I was doing but didn’t get any reaction. Sometimes I have a nice conversation with visitors and sometimes I don’t.  It seems funny the campground was crowded Saturday but by Sunday it had cleared out. Really nice and quiet. I guess one of the benefits of being retired I can camp during the week. 

I completed my activation and reflected my weekend around the campfire.

The next morning after a nice sleep I packed up the gear and attempted to get into K-8203 Cape Henry National Memorial. It is just down the street and it is inside a military base.  The officer told me the memorial was not open and I would have to come back at 10. I had about 30 minutes and hadn’t had breakfast and stopped at McDonald’s. I went back to the base and was told the memorial was not opened until 11. I asked is the schedule posted and he said the base is in a fluid situation and in order to get in I would need an escort.  Maybe next time I can get someone with the proper credentials and get in. The park had only been activated 10 times. I see why.  When I was growing up my father worked at the shipyard and he could get into any base with his credentials.  The good ole days.

After that I decided to go to K-0560 Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This was my old site my astronomy club had used for our night time observing. By this time it had gotten hot and I was not prepared with water and still had a 3 hour drive home. I did enjoy seeing my old hang out. I chose to come at another time. Thanks for reading.

Campground notes:  Great campground. Clean restrooms. Power available.Online reservations available. Easy to change camping dates for weather, etc.    

For activities with my family that weekend Family, Camping, and Amateur Radio. 
Thanks for reading.