K-2888 Cheraw State Park

28 miles from home This made my 50th unique park activation and my 1000th p2p contact.  This is my 3rd South Carolina Park. It was a nice day at the park.  Thanks to all the hunters and p2p. 21 contacts 2 on 15, 1 on 17, 2 on 40 and 15 on 20.  Looking at the map to extend my park activation list I’ll have to do some driving that may be possible.  But I have 5 parks I can easily get to on a regular basis.

Park restrictions:  As I was leaving on of the rangers said not to use the trees to support the antenna, they are concerned about antenna wire getting caught in trees.  I did not know this when I checked in they didn’t give me any restrictions. 

NC K-6848 President James K. Polk State Historic Site

74 miles from home 149 activations  I put it in Waze and it routed me on a toll road oh well it’s a bit far for me but glad I did it.

I arrived and walked thru the museum. I mentioned that I was an amateur radio operator and he said we can operate from there but just don’t use the trees for the antenna. 🙁 I was prepared.  I had my MFJ Short HF Mobile Ham-tenna. I made 26 contacts on 40, 17, 15 and 20.  Thanks to the hunters and p2p.

This one is 48 miles from home It was a nice morning for activating a park. It wasn’t roo hot. I used MFJ Short HF Mobile Ham-tenna tried 10, 17, 15, 20, 40 but only successful on 20 and 40. Check your radio settings if you are not making contacts. I called for 10 minutes before realizing I had the split function on. I made 20 contacts. Thanks to the hunters and p2p.

My first solo 2 fer activation NC K-6931 and K-8226

It’s funny how the heat didn’t bother me after I got busy making contacts on 20.  After the Sandhills Amateur Radio club meeting. We had a wonderful breakfast meeting at the Parkton Grill. Highly recommended if you are in the area.  I decided to activate my first solo two for activation K-6931 and K-8226. I used my MFJ Short HF Mobile Ham-tenna. I started on 40 made 8 contacts that means 16 contacts for a 2 fer. I tried 10 then I went to 20 and had much better results. I made a total of 28 contacts. I appreciate the hunters and p2p.

K-6947 #24

That was tough this yesterday morning ended up on 17 and 40 MFJ Short HF Mobile Ham-tenna. I guess heat affects me since I got the park incorrect when I spotted. NC K-6947. Thanks to the hunters and p2p.

My original thought was to use my 17 meter MFJ Short HF Mobile Ham-tenna I received for a birthday gift.  I tried answering a couple of CQs and called on SSB but no joy today. I then used my MFJ-1984MP ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M modified it was tough putting that up I guess I was affected by the heat. I was able to make 2 CW and 14 SSB contacts.  I read something about activators activating a park every day. I applaud all that do. I try to do something in POTA every day but I may miss that. Thanks for the hunters and p2p. And I had to buy a newspaper for the article about working the 4 h campers from K-6947 Wednesday.

K-6947 NC Sandhills State Game Land #23

* MFJ-1984HP, ENDFED 1/2 Wave 40-10M
* IC-706MKG HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver
* MFJ Model MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner II antenna tuner
* Bioenno Power 12V 20Ah 240 Watt-hours Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
* Bioenno Power 28 Watt Foldable Solar Panel
* Bioenno Power 12V/24V 30A Solar Charge Control
Operators N4MQU and KE8WDY 37 contacts

It was a good day yesterday but hot. It was OJ’s second activation. My 23rd for the park. OJ made the hot sun more comfortable by bringing her canopy. We really enjoyed the contact with 6 youths from the 4H camp in Pennsylvania from K3PMC and KC3EVL. I noticed some youth are shy about getting on but others are a little more engaged. Thanks for the hunters and p2p.