500 At Gettysburg

November 28, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Thanksgiving 28 Nov 24. Not a pretty day. The dismal sky was a morose shade of gray; a hue that guarantees feelings of despondency and morbidity. It is only in Autumn that such feelings can be invoked by the clouds. The forests of Southern PA were so dank that even Robert Frost could not describe them in an upbeat or pleasant manner. Light rain was attempting to fall and all the birds were in hiding. Of course, we decided to activate. We went to Gettysburg US-0027. We were surprised by the number of people that were strolling around the battlefield. We thought we would have the place to ourselves with most people being at home doing family things but there were pedestrians all over the place in the vicinity of Spanglers Spring and Culp’s Hill. We got set up and started out on 40 M. I figured that there would be a lot of hams at home waiting on their turkey to cook and sneaking away from the family to play on the radio for a brief time and I was right. We had a legitimate activation within 9 minutes which is pretty good for 40 M during daylight hours. We continued on 40 for another half hour, working stations from NH to TN and north to ON. I then made the command decision to change bands and mounted my 10 M antenna. It does not take long to swap antennae. I take the current one off, put on the one for the next band I want to work, tune the radio to an empty freq and get on the air. One thing I try to do is stay within the privilege areas for General Class Licenses. I posted our location on the POTA spotting page and also announced us on the DXSummit page. It did not take long for stations to find us. There were a lot of European stations, we even worked a park-to-park in Germany. We hung around for another half hour end finished up with 53 contacts which made my total for Gettysburg 500 … half way to my Kilo award. Now I am sitting at home letting the pellet stove remove the damp from the air and enjoying coffee as my cats snooze in the warmth. Enough for today. Namaste kidlets.

Moxie and Ptolomey enjoying a foggy and dreary morning on Culp’s Hill.

The flamingos are restless preparing to continue their northern migration.

Two Days And November Reminds Us That It Is Here

November 24, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

It is November 24th and I am sitting here drinking coffee and wearing reading glasses on top of my regular glasses so that I can see the screen better. The weather has gone from 18.2 C to the current of 8.9 C and is starting to dip down at night to the minus numbers. We even had some snow flurries here at home and more snow in other areas of the state. Yesterday it was nice and sunny in the morning. We tried out a local breakfast buffet run by Mennonites. The food was good and the price was reasonable for an all-you-can-eat. I only had 1 plateful and SWMBO couldn’t finish her plate. after breakfast we trolloped off to Little Buffalo State Park US-1376 and did an activation. The sun was shining, there was a murder of crows hanging around and we watched the waterfowl swimming and even got to see a large fish jump into the air. It had a surprising amount of hang time. We worked 28 US stations on 40M and then I tuned in 10M. We worked 4 US stations one from Spain and then one from Bulgaria which is a new country in my POTA log. I decided to give 12M a try. We worked 11 stations, 4 from Germany, 2 from France, 1 from England and the rest across the US. We packed up and headed home with 45 in the log. At this time the weather was still nice but later on in the morning it clouded up. The temperature reached a high of 5.9C. With the cloud cover in the PM it started to look dismal. This morning we went to breakfast at the Newville Diner where we decided to active Mont Alto State Park US-1386. The weather was again dismal and the temperature slowly rose from 6.8 to 8.3 C. I chose to try 80M and worked a couple stations but the daytime noise level was annoying. I switched to my 40M antenna and we had QSOs with 25 stations, all from the US. We even had contact with a station from the state of Georgia which is surprising for 40 during the day. I then put on my 12M antenna and finished out the activation with 5 more contacts including Sweden, Mexico and France. 12 M has been open to Europe a lot lately. We did not hear any birds though we did have a flamingo sighting. After we picked up SWMBO wanted to go for a bit of a ride. We cruised around on some back roads in Franklin and Adams Counties and got a bit turned around. We found our way and then headed home with a brief stop at the grocery store. Now I am relaxing and about to try some hunting from my station. Namaste for now, kidlets.

Calamity the radio cat and me relaxing at home

A Short Road Trip and More Activations

November 14, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Let me start out by saying how much I enjoy long distance drives in the late night/early morning hours. The traffic is at a low volume and it seems, especially on back roads, that you are alone in your own little bubble. While the world is tucked away in their beds you cruise along blissfully. The only concern is watching out for any animal which may decide to walk or run in front of you. You don’t even need to worry too much about other cars because there are so few. We did this on Monday, 11 November. We set out in the darkness and made our way to West Virginia. Our first stop was in Morgantown, WV, to view the statue of Don Knotts. It sits in front of the theatre where he got his start. The statue is very easy to find. After we took some pictures and acted like typical tourists we resumed our trip. We had planned to stop in Pomeroy, OH, to video river barges but when we got there, a Veterans Day ceremony was going on at the pullout and there was no available parking spaces. We found a place for lunch and then continued to Point Pleasent, WV, home of the Mothman. We took some pics around the town and then it was still to early to check in to our motel so we drove to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park US-1823. It is a nice little park. Its name means “Between Two Waters” and that describes it well. It sits where the Kanawha river joins the Ohio. Propagation was good on 17 Meters so that is what we worked. We made a total of 23 contacts and then had fun videoing the barges and just enjoying a beautiful day. When check in time rolled around we crossed the river to Gallipolis, OH to our motel. We had no desire to just sit around so after we got our stuff settled in, we took a drive on some back roads. We found ourselves at the Old Holcomb Cemetery and took fotos there. It was getting dark so we made our way back to the motel, had supper and settled in. On Tuesday, Nov 12, drove back up to Pomeroy and took some footage of a barge heading up the river. Our next stop was at Forked Run State Park US-1951 where we made 32 contacts on 40 and 10 Meters. There were a lot of European stations on 10 which is an indication of how open the band was. The park itself was peaceful. We parked in an empty lot above the lake where there was an access path to the beach. After the activation we headed home. Since this was during the day the traffic was a lot heavier and more obnoxious. Today, 14 Nov, we went to Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg National Military Park US-0027. The bands were humming and in about 45 minutes we worked 56 stations between 10 and 40 Meters. We were even able to work a new Canadien Province: Manitoba. There were, again, a lot of European stations on 10 along with 1 contact from Mexico. We heard a red-bellied woodpecker as we sat there. As I started to drive away I realized I had left my phone on top of the car. I retrieved it before it could fall. The weather today had changed. It was overcast and chilly so we sat in the car with our doors closed. One memorable contact was with an op from England who was running a similar set up as I have: 80 watts to a hamstick. Myself, I use 75 watts but we both gave a 5-5 report. Well I guess it is time to close this. Namaste kidlets and happy trails.

There’s A Tower On Tower Road. Whoda Thunk It?

October 31, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

It has been 9 days since my last entry but I had to work for 7 days straight and then last night I was too knackered to do much of anything. Well here I am. We started out the day at the Newville Diner and tried to decide where to activate. We considered Michaux State Forest and changed our minds. We set out for Cowens Gap State Park US-1346 but when we got there we again changed our minds and headed up to Hogback Mountain in Buchanan State Forest US-5463. When we started down Tower Road we saw a ham set up at the first turnoff. It was Chuck, NA1CN, who I had only had online contact with before. We chatted for a few minutes and I made sure that I wasn’t going to interfere with his operation. We drove on, to the end of Tower Road where, LO! AND BEHOLD!, there was a tower. We got set up and started working hunters. 40 meters was in pretty good shape and it did not long for us to be a legit activation. After working 27 contacts . SWMBO suggested that we try another park as long as we were out and about. Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park US-1336 was not very far away so we toodled down there. I decided to start out on 10 meters and we made 9 contacts, a good number of them from Europe. I swapped antennae and gave 40 meters a chance. We only made 1 contact, though it was a park-to-park. I put on the 17 meter hamstick and worked 6 more stations before changing to 12 meters for the final 3. This finished out our activations for the day. The weather was beautiful though there was a bit of a breeze on Hogback Mtn, but it was nuce and warm and sunny. Zarathustra kept blowing off the hood of the car. We didn’t have that problem at Buchanan’s Birthplace and we had parked in the shade of a huge oak tree. The temperature got into the high 20’s Celsius so it was rather comfortable. A lot of the leaves were dropping but there are still plenty on the trees. Oh yeah, our newest kat, Calamity is a radio cat. She likes to sit on my lap or in my arms and watch me playing on the radio here at home. Well my fingers are finged from all this typing and my coffee cup is empty so I am going to close for now. All the best to whomever may read this. Namaste, kidlets.

Moxie and Zarathustra on Hogback Mountain

Moxie and Zarathustra at Buchanan’s Birthplace

Return to Mont Alto and a Little Surprise

October 17, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Great day today. We set out to Mont Alto after breakfast for an activation. The day started out cool but sunny. We got set up and decided to try 40M to start out with. In 50 minutes we made 38 contacts. I then decided to try 10M as it seemed to be open. Within a short time we worked 7 contacts including 2 from Spain, 1 from Austria and 1 from Poland. We also worked some stateside including Texas and Colorado. I figured that was a good activation. Mont Alto was nice and peaceful, as usual. after this we did some shopping. When we got back we found something sitting on our doorstep: a kitten. She appears to be abandoned. She is clean but was very hungry. She is socialized and affectionate. I don’t think she came from one of our neighbors, in fact I think she was dumped. It didn’t take long for her to bond with me. She likes my company. Our boy cats are curious about her but are not hostile. I am calling her Calamity as she was standing right next to the road when we saw her. She came to us and decided to be likeable. I will include a pic of her with this. Anyway, it was a great day. Namaste for now kiddos.

A Very POTA Weekend

October 13, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Had a couple days of beautiful weather. The type of days that make you forget that bad weather is coming. We took advantage of the good weather by doing some activations. Yesterday, 12 Oct, we went to Little Buffalo State Park (US-1376) and set up at the boat launch area. I used my 17M hamstick and it did not take long to get enough for a full activation. In all, we worked 17 stations from there of which 1 was a park-to-park. We needed to do some errands so I did not get a chance to take pictures. Well, I have posted pictures of the place before. Today, 13 Oct, we started (at the suggestion of SWMBO) out at Three Square Hollow Vista in Tuscarora State Forest US-5479. As soon as I parked a large group of Amish in a wagon pulled by a tractor arrived. They were soon followed by some young teens who pushed their scooters up the mountain. Like I said, it was a beautiful day and they were taking advantage of the weather and having an outing. They walked by my car and I got more than a few curious looks but they went on down to the picnic table and had their gathering. I installed my 17M hamstick in my mag-mount and called CQ POTA. We worked 11 stations from the Southern part of the US and also had a call from Sweden and one from Spain. 17M was in good shape. We wanted to do another spot so we then packed up and headed down the mountain. We drove the meandering roads of Western Cumberland County to State Game Lands PA-169 US_8867 and parked in one of the more secluded parking areas. We used the app to identify Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmouses (titmice?) and Dark-eyed Juncos. After we setup and got on the air a car containing 3 male teens parked and they set off into the woods. This time I used my 40M hamstick and was able to work PA, ON, NY, WV, KY, GA, OH and MA stations. One of the PA stations to give us a call was KB3PSN who is the president of the local ham club where I live. Not too bad. Since I had more than 10 on 40M, I decided to try 10M. I worked 3 Texas stations and 1 from Mexico. The only drawback today was that it was too windy to put my owl on the hood of my car. Moxie the gnome had to be extra vigilant. I did make a mistake that ended well. I had left my phone on the hood of my car and drove about a mile before I noticed it. I am very lucky that it didn’t fall off! Well I guess I will close for now. Namaste kidlets.

The road and parking area at 3 Square Hollow Vista and Moxie watching our 6.

Moxie watching our 6 at the State Game Lands 169

Spittin In The Storm

October 8, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Due to a couple of solar flares the other day there was a severe solar storm yesterday, October 7th and today October 8th, so of course I decided to go activate a park. First of all, i would like to say some nice things about my long suffering wyfe whom I refer to as SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed). She does my logging on these activations and keeps me sane. She also offers great advice and opinions. Today she suggested that we go to Gettysburg. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining when we arrived on Culp’s Hill. We heard white breasted nuthatches and american crows around the perimeter of the hill. It did not take long to get set up and get on the air and within about 40 minutes we had made 34 contacts to include 5 park-to-park exchanges. It was very successful. We had an older gentleman approach the car and inquire as to what we were doing and we chatted for a few minutes. After the activation I climbed the tower. I know this is not a feat to compare to the scaling of the Eigerwand or K2 but for a chubby middle-aged guy like me it was sorta significant. The tower is about 60 feet tall and as I was climbing the stairs I ran the entire song “Inna Gadda Da Vida” through my head (including the drum solo in the middle), finishing just before I got to the top. After regaining my breath I did a bit of a video of the view from the tower which I am including a link to below. To make this day complete, we drove around some of the back roads in Maryland between Catoctin and Hagerstown. We located a few State Parks for future reference and then returned to the Gettysburg area to indulge in some chicken tenders from a convenience store which is part of a chain that claims to have “world famous chicken”. Not too bad, I must say. After this we took my mother-in-law to the grocery store and here we are back home, relaxing. As for the storm, the Devil whispered in my ear “you aren’t strong enough to withstand the storm”. I smiled and whispered back “at least I didn’t lose my gold fiddle to a redneck kid in Georgia and at least I don’t still live in my daddy’s basement”. The Devil hung his head in shame and slunk away. Namaste for now kidlets.

From Rain On The Lake To Sun On The Hilltop

October 3, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

It has been a great couple of days! Yesterday I started off with a visit to my doctor. He did the usual poking and prodding and subjecting me to various and sundry indignities before proclaiming that I should stay the course for the next 6 months as my tests looked good and I was doing well. He then left and had the nurse stab my arm with the usual Autumn flu jab. This put me in a decent mood and we, SWMBO and myself, set out to Little Buffalo State Park US-1376 where we set up for my 99th activation. 40 meters was in fine shape and we worked 35 contacts at a leisurely pace which I thought was pretty good for a weekday afternoon. The part of the park where we were set up was pretty empty and we only observed a handful of cars. While we were there it went from a light drizzle to a constant rain and back to a drizzle. It was nice to watch the rain coming across the lake toward us in a line of disturbance. Today the sun came up! No, I mean it! The sun actually shone the whole day! This has been the first day in the past week and a half in which there has been no rain. Shit! I might be tempting fate by saying that. I just knocked on wood to ward against the bad luck. Anyway, it was warm and sunny today and we went to Kings Gap US-4361. I started out calling on 40 Meters but it was slow going so I switched antennae and began calling on 17 meters . That band was a lot more lively with stations from western Europe and all over the US and Canada answering our call. We finished up with 24 contacts to make a bonafide 100th activation and then SWMBO requested that we shut down as she needed to do some errand running. Since she is nice enough to keep me sane and to do my logging, I don’t argue with her requests. Well I am going to end this here with my usual line: Namaste kidlets!

Moxie the gnome, Tootsie the owl and Tom the ham at Kings Gap

A Wet End to September

September 29, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

It has been moist and wet for the past few days and it appears that the trend will continue for a few more, according to the weather guessers. My weather station has recorded 49.28 MM of rain this month which is good for the plants and for my well but makes for a dreary scenery outside. The rain hasn’t been hard, mostly, primarily drizzle with some periods of real rain, making the early autumn landscape look droopy and forlorn. The leaves have yet to go all out in their yearly change but some are trying to get some colour. For the most part it is shades of the greyish green you get in the late season making you tired of looking at it and wanting something fresh and different. Today is 29 September 2024 and we did an activation yesterday and one today. Yesterday we activated Big Spring State Park US-4355. In a way I see that as our home base. It is close by and easy to get to. It is a go-to park when time is at a premium and is as comfortable as an old pair of slippers. There were people there yesterday over near the pavilions. We stayed at our usual spot and didn’t bother them. I think they were actually there for the restrooms though I did not investigate. I just set up and started operating. In a short 1/2 hour we made 30 contacts. It then started to make a serious attempt to rain and it was getting dark. Pennsylvania’s DCNR likes people to be out of the parks at sundown unless there is a campground there so we stopped our operation and made our way home. Today, 29 September 2024 (Sunday) we decided over breakfast to go to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest US-5471 located over Pine Grove Furnace SP. The lot was almost deserted and the weather was again rainy and drizzly. This is not a problem as the only part of my rig that is outside of the car is the antenna and coax. We had sporadic contacts on 40 Meters, working 30 contacts over the course of about 40 minutes. Hmmm … I wonder if 30 is a magic number? lol. Anyway, we survived the dampness and made it home where we are safe and sound and surrounded by our loving kitties. Okay, enough for today. Namaste Kidlets

A wet Zarathustra and a dry Moxie at the ATV Lot.

A Dark, Dreary, Drizzly, Nice, Fun Day

September 25, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Yesterday, September 24th, SWMBO and I set off early to activate a park. I had an appointment at 0645 with the vampire to have my blood analyzed so we ventured out after that. Our destination was Susquehanna State Park US-1601 in Maryland. It was drizzling when we left and the weather guessers had promised the same for the rest of the day. We didn’t let this bother us as my radio sits in the car and the only parts of the rig exposed are the antenna and the coax. It was a nice drive down there, taking a little over 2 hours. We checked out the picnic area but it did not suit us for an activation so we proceeded further down the road to the boat launch area which was had a large parking area and a great view of the river. We observed seagulls flying around, fishermen out on boats and cormorants floating and fishing. It was no longer drizzling by the time we had arrived but the sky was an iron gray, making for a soul sucking dreariness (just kidding but the sky was gray). I made a short video of the area (see below) and got on the air. 40 meters was doing well for a while and then signals went away. I went to 17 meters and worked 5 contacts and finished out the activation on 15 meters which had a good opening to Europe. Overall it was a good day. We had a nice leisurely drive back including a stop at a Royal Farms store for some chicken tenders. Even a dreary day can be a good one, without a moss covered 3 handled family gredunza. Namaste for today, kidlets.

Nature, Radio, and Me

A POTA Explorer's Diary

Mobile Operations