Yes, I am shivering

April 9, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

So here we are … waiting in anticipation. I had a phone conversation last Thursday with a tech at Yaesu and it turns out there is nothing wrong with my radio that they could determine. He even had it keyed down for 10 solid minutes at full output (100 watts) and the power did not drop at all. He said the most likely suspect is the powerpole connectors I used. He said the cheap ones can get soft when they warm up and cause problems. He has seen this issue before. I have since ordered some new connectors from a reliable company and will have them on hand soon. In the mean time, when I receive the radio back, I will connect it to the battery without using any connectors, just using the wires on the battery terminals. Now I am waiting on the return shipment.

Now on to other stuff. Spring is getting old. The forsythia bushes have bloomed and the bright yellow of their flowers has evolved to the dusky gold of late autumn goldenrod. Soon trees will be spewing evidence of their sexual exploits all over my car and causing people all over the area to be sneezing and wheezing. The fur-gods (cats) have their butts glued to the window-sills and are enjoying the fresh air from the open windows. My lawn is starting to sprout dandelions and I hate to think that I will soon have to attack it with the mower. As I have stated in previous posts, it is not really a lawn, it is old pasture land that I have to beat into submission every couple of weeks, which is why I refer to it as “Satan’s Putting Green”. Yup, the joys of ownership. I admit I am getting restless and want to do some camping and some activating. I am looking forward to outside activities and more clement weather. Well enough for now. Namaste, kidlets.

“When Owls Cry” or “There ain’t no wind ‘neath my wings”

March 20, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Terrible. Horrible. Awful. No shit, guys, there I was, trying to activate a park or 2 and realized my radio wasn’t putting out a signal. No one was hearing me. I thought it might be location or bad coax or a problem with my antenna or tuner… any number of things but I narrowed it down to my radio. The fans were not running which causes it to get too hot and this causes the PA circuit to go into protect mode. Not fun. I exchanged a few e-mails with the tech guys at Yaesu and, long story short (too late), I sent my FT-891 to the repair shop today. I am now without the ability to activate until I get it back. I am going to cry myself to sleep until I can get back out there and make some noise in the parks! Actually, me and the owls and the flamingos and the cats will do hunting from the arm chair and log a few in the books on a daily basis. I guess this will give me an excuse to do a few more chores around here. I will have to fire up the implements of destruction and get medieval on the back yard is taking out the wild roses and all the trash brush that is trying to grow up there. As the philosopher once said, Que sera sera. Namaste, kidlets.

Another Fine March Day

March 7, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

And there it was, another fine March day! The temperature was around 11 C and the sun was trying to burn away the clouds and SWMBO and I set out to a couple activations. What a great way to spend some time on a day off! We decided to stay near home and to revisit the familiar. It has been a bit since we activated Big Springs SP and Tuscarora State Forest so that is where we went. We started at Big Springs. It was nice and quiet there. We got set up quickly. The temperature was 11 C when we got there and 14 C when we left. It did not take long to make 35 contacts on 40 meters including 6 park-to-parks. The band was co-operating and contacts were coming pretty fast. I cut it off at 35 ( my log reflects 37 as a couple were 2fers) so that we could move on. The first location in Tuscarora I wanted to try was not good for us as there was no internet. I prefer to have a means of spotting our activation, I am funny that way. lol. In any event, we went to the 3 Square Hollow Vista which overlooks Cumberland Valley PA. Nice view. Very quiet though there was some traffic. I switched between 40 and 20 meters and worked 35 contacts including a DX from Spain. SWMBO had a good time logging. We had one curious person drive past, stop, back up, check out my antenna and then drive on. He didn’t ask any questions though I would have been happy to provide answers. While driving around we got to observe 5 turkeys (turkies?) and 5 squirrels (4 of them semi-suicidal). There were also the usual assortment to tweety birds and hawks. The nice thing about these parks is getting out in nature and away from most of the trappings of civilization but now I am going to have to wash my car again. Well kidlets enuff for now. Namaste.

Zarathustra and Charade with my Buddistick at the vista

The Flamingo Has Landed!

March 3, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

A great day, today. We set out to activate 2 parks and met our goal. After a great breakfast at Newville Diner we drove down to Mont Alto State Park (K-1386). Initially I did not have high hopes for this park. It is a tiny park located along a somewhat busy road and is down between some hills. I didn’t think the radio signals would get out, combined with the contesting going on this weekend. I was wrong! We made 33 contacts including 5 park-to-parks , all on 40 meters during the morning! The only negative was that I had unintentionally started out too close to a net which I did not hear. I had asked if the frequency was open, heard no reply and listened for 2 minutes before asking again. I worked a few stations and then got asked to move. I apologized and found another frequency. Stuff happens. We spent about an hour there and it was very fruitful.

After picking up our gear, SWMBO and I went to Caledonia State Park, K-1337 where we worked a total of 28 contacts of which 9 were park-to-parks. There were a lot of people out and about in the park, biking, walking, and enjoying the day in general. We had one man approach us and ask questions about what we were doing and regale us with stories about his father having a Zenith short wave receiver which he used to listen to the world broadcasts on. A couple of pickup trucks pulled up next to us and we met face to face with W3TWB and N3AIR who were also out activating. We chatted for a few minutes before they took off and went to set up their operation. I was very pleased with how the morning went and SWMBO seemed to enjoy herself. She even got to see a very cool pavilion at Mont Alto next to Antietam Creek and she took a video of a waterfall at Caledonia. As has been said many times, many ways, a good time was had by all. Namaste Kidlets!

Charade the flamingo feeding off of stray rf at the foot of the antenna as Tootsie watches our 6

Should we have brung the flamingo?

February 27, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Had a great day today. SWMBO and I set out after breakfast for Milton State Park and Shikellamy State Park for a couple activations. Ptolomey came along to grace us with his presence (or to present us with his graces, that much is unclear). It was a nice warm day at the start. Milton SP is located on an island in the Susquehanna River and reachable by bridge from either Milton or West Milton. I found a nice spot to set up and was soon on the air. We made a total of 30 contacts on 3 bands including 1 with a station from the Dominican Republic. We got some curious looks from other people in the park; joggers and dog walkers for the most part, but no one approached us. It was a very nice park and we will be back another day. I think the weather has people itching to get outside and dust the winter off of their hands.

The next destination is a short 20 minute drive away. As I described in a previous entry, Shikellamy SP Overlook sits on a 120 meter high cliff above the Susquehanna River. We had passed the signs for this overlook numerous times over the years and never stopped here. What a loss on our part. Just the view is worth it. Since we don’t completely dis-assemble the antenna or the rig/tuner when we move locations, it doesn’t take long to get set up again. This time we only worked on 40 meters and quickly knocked off 20 contacts. Overall a great success. Ptolomey agrees with me. Between the 2 activations we worked 4 park-to-parks varying from RI to TX. It was a great day. I do think next time we should bring one of my lawn flamingos to share in the fun. Enough for now, kidlets. Namaste, y’all

Ptolomey overseeing the Milton Island operation.

Ptolomey watching over us at Shikellamy SP. The cones mark my coax and my faraday cloth.

Hilltop Hamming at Kings Gap

February 22, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

I think I am blaming myself for this weather. I bought that ice fishing shelter and the weather turned warm. I have only used it twice this winter so the warm winter must be my fault. The shelter and the propane heater. Oh well. It was a beautiful day. SWMBO and I set out to do an activation and went to Kings Gap, K-4361. The usual spot where I set up was usurped by a crew that was cutting wood and grooming the forest so we went next to the mansion. It didn’t take long to set up and the activation was legit within a short period of time (18 minutes) on 40 meters. I did a little band hopping but my best results were on 40 though I did manage to work an Italian station on 20 Meters. The most surprising contact was on 15 Meters when I was contacted by a station who was mobile and about 4 kilometers (straight line) away. I worked 3 park-to-park contacts and had no encounters with lions, tigers and/or bears; it is a good idea to have an owl with me. My long suffering wyfe did a great job with the logging and we really make a good team. Anyway, I made a total of 24 QSO’s and the important thing is that we had fun. Namaste for now kidlets.

A day to remember maybe

February 18, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Hi all. It was a beautiful day so we went out. We started with breakfast at the Newville Diner in Newville PA. After a filling and hearty breakfast we set out for Gettysburg, PA. Yes, that Gettysburg. We arrived at the first hill overlooking the town from the north. There is a tower here and it is across from the Peace Light. I started to set up and broke my tripod. The tilt control snapped. We took off to the local Walmart and got a new tripod which I resolved to not leave in the car during freezing temps. We got back to the location which I thought might be relatively quiet and set up. There were more cars in and out of the parking area than I had thought there would be but we were in a spot where we were not in the way. I did observe a van pull up next to us at one point and a young man (late teens, early 20s) jump out wearing fake military cammy and carrying an airsoft “assault” style rifle. He and his group went up into the tower and I believe he took some selfies. They departed a short time later. The wind was blowing relatively strong which made it chilly. Even Tootsie didn’t want to leave the car. Between 20 and 40 meters I worked a total of 35 contacts including some park-to-parks. It was a good activation in spite of the broken tripod. SWMBO and I are making a good team on these excursions. 🙂 We left there and went to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest on Bendersville Road above Pine Grove Furnace. The lot had some ATV riders there along with their vehicles and trailers but we found a good place to park and set up. Yup. then I started making mistakes lol. First I tuned my coax to a perfect 1:1 on 20M. Yup. Tuned the coax without it being attached to the antenna. Luckily my long suffering wyfe pointed that out to me. “Aren’t you going to connect your cable to the antenna?” she asked. After I got it attached, I got on the air. Worked 20M for a while and then went to 40M to let the locals have a chance. Finally when we were ready to go, I looked at my antenna and LO! and Behold! the tilt had loosened and the wind had blown it over. Lesson learned. Always have the antenna in your line of sight. Also, always check the tightness of any and all connections on new equipment. How do you spell duh? Amazing thing was the last few contacts came in just fine and it didn’t seem to affect the SWR. We logged a total of 26 contacts there including some park-to-parks. We got home ok and then got all equipment put away and entered the qso’s into the log. Then had a catastrophe. One of our cats does not get along at all with the 2 younger cats. we try to keep them separated. I was carrying one of the youngsters up from the basement and slipped. He is ok but I am nursing a very sore arm/wrist/ribs/knee. Oh well, as the philosopher said: “you take the good, you take the bad”. Enough for now. Namaste kidlets

The view out the windshield at Gettysburg

And the Days Go Bye

February 8, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Wow, what a day! We didn’t set out to do it, really we didn’t. We started out having breakfast at the Newville Diner in Newville PA. Our intent was to have a breakfast and, while eating, decide on a destination in Cumberland County to activate. Easy enough, we did. We set out after breakfast for Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, K-4361. This is a very pleasant hilltop with a stone mansion and a lot of areas to operate from. I like the place as it is nice and peaceful. While we were there we were approached by a man with a pair of binoculars. He was a bird-watcher heading to the mansion and was curious. He understood ham radio but was wondering about the owl on the hood of my car lol. I chatted with him for a few before going back to hamming. Between 40 and 12 meters I worked 29 contacts including Italy and Sweden on 12 meters. A good day indeed. But wait! There’s more! My long suffering wyfe said, and I quote : “Hey! Let’s go to the ATV lot!”. Well, there was nothing to do but to comply, after all, I call her SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) for a reason! We quickly packed up and trolloped (yes I use Trollop as a verb meaning to travel or move) off to the Michaux State Forest ATV lot (K-5471) on Piney Mountain. It did not take long to settle in there and get set up with some coffee. The ATV lot is located on Bendersville Road at the top of Piney Mountain above Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Between 17, 20 and 40 meters we worked 38 contacts and had a great time. Today we worked a total of 4 Park-to-Park contacts of which 1 was a double so 5 really. With the temperature around 11C it was a very comfortable day for February. We even had to open the car door as it was getting too warm in there. Well I am going to close for now. Have fun and stay radio active, kidlets. Namaste!

calling CQ and getting an answer

Overlooking the Susquehanna

February 4, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Activated a new (to me) park today: K-1421 Shikellamy State Park. The name is almost pronounced like “she’ll kill me”. lol There are 2 parts to the park. One part is down at a boat launch on the river. The one we went to is located on top of a 120 meter high cliff overlooking the Susquehanna River. The view is remarkable. Since it was such a nice day, there was a lot of activity in the park, people walking and playing and enjoying an unusual February day. The lot where we were parked was pretty much deserted, which suited us. I placed my antenna on a slight rise towards a pavillion and started out working 20 meters. Between 20 and 40 meters I was able to make 37 contacts including 6 park to park. I will have to try this place again. When the weather is like this during the winter you really have to take advantage of it. Someone posed the question online why do people do POTA? I have to stick with the fact that it is a great way for chubby older hams to get outside and be active. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and though I am not in the shape I used to be in, I still like to get out and about. POTA gives me a reason. It also gives my long-suffering wyfe some togetherness time with me as she logs for me. It is a win-win situation. We plan on making more and more forays further from home as the weather improves and the days get longer. We would both like to go back up to Elk County and I might try a park or 2 up there. Who knows what time will bring. We are also looking forward to our yearly vacation and see these activations as practice runs for activations up in New England.

Well enough for now. Time to drink some coffee. Namaste, kidlets

Milestones and Mill Stones and Little Lambs Eat Ivys

January 30, 2024January 30, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Got an interesting mail from the ARRL yesterday: a certificate and a pin saying I have been a member for 25 years. Damn, makes me feel old! lol.

Anyway, my long suffering wyfe and I made our way to K-4361 Kings Gap Environmental State Park today and had a nice activation. Every time we head out we get better and better at loading, setting up and taking down and loading back up. Today, setup took us about 18 minutes and take down took us 12 minutes. We were in no hurry, we just did it. The sky was a solid gray and the temperature was a steady 5C. It was nice and comfortable in the car, though. 2 people kept it warm along with the radio generating a bit of heat. I started out on 40M and quickly made enough to be bonafide. I worked 40 for a bit more then tried first 10 then 15 then 17 with no luck. The propagation gods were not looking on me favorably, I think. I migrated to 20M and things started looking up! Along with Spain, Italy and Alaska, I was able to get several other contacts in the log. I then returned back to 40M for a while before going QRT for the day. All in all, a good day. SWMBO and I had a nice time and spent some quality time. She got to hear DX stations which she rarely does and she is being a great help logging. This is great practice for future activations such as we may do when we are on vacation or travelling around on day trips. I have worked out of the “British Mountain Climb-Mountain Assault” mentality. I have stopped bringing an ass-load of un-necessary gear and have pared my equipment down to the essentials. I think simple actually is better. Tootsie came along to supervise and to keep away the lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). Well, until next time, kidlets. Namaste!

Nature, Radio, and Me

A POTA Explorer's Diary

Hobby