First off, we had a bit of a disappointment last night. Due to heavy rain, the National Night Out activities were cancelled at the Landisburg Fire Station. Representatives of the Perry County Amateur Radio Club, including myself, were planning to be present at a booth to show off our hobby and to demonstrate ham radio to the public and explain how we can be of service to the community during an emergency. Our next chance for public exposure will be at the Perry County Fair in Newport next week. SWMBO and I are going to be at the booth on opening night, August 13th. Expect a report and pictures. I will be showcasing my dipole made from 2 Slinkys. So on with today’s activation! SWMBO and I set out at 0500 for Gettysburg and arrived at the area of Devil’s Den around 0615. Devil’s Den was a location where Confederate sharpshooters shot at Union troops on Little Roundtop. It is a group of boulders left by the last glacier and makes for a great place to hide between shots. Glory did some videos and recordings and I watched wildlife. There was a whistlepig who was curious about me for a while but then when about having his breakfast. After a bit we decided the mist and drizzle was getting uncomfortable so we headed over to Culp’s Hill for an activation. I put a 40M Hamstick on my magmount and set the radio to 7.289 MHz which was empty. Within 5 minutes we had logged 10 contacts! It was almost like fishing a creek that had just been stocked! In less that 45 minutes we had worked 52 stations (we didn’t count them until we got home and transferred them to the POTA app) but it was just too moist out to continue. Thanks to the folks who stayed at home and hunted, we had a great activation. You might wonder why I say “we” when it is me doing the talking. I give great credit to my long suffering wyfe, Glory, who does my logging and offers lots and lots of support and encouragement. She also puts up with my foibles such as having owl decoys and gnomes and pink flamingoes. Well enough for now, kidlets. As the founder of our order taught us: “Keep your stick on the ice!”. Namaste

Little Roundtop as seen from Devil’s Den