Rover But Not Red

June 24, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Hi kidlets. It has been a few days. My long suffering wyfe and I are on a long deserved vacation up in NH, cruising around. Mostly its been fun though there have been a few mishaps and an almost whoops. First, on the way up I was sorta spacing out and a NH State Trooper pulled me over after clocking me doing 57 in a 30 zone. I admitted to him It was my fault and that I was just spacing out. At this time I had been on the road for about 10 hours. I was totally amazed when he let us off with a warning. The ticket would have run $280! I cannot sing his praises long and loudly enough! Since then I have been minding the speed limits exactly. I have not been exceeding them at all which has, I am sure, pissed off some people driving behind me. At least I do exactly the limit and not 5 MPH below. Next, we met up with my brother Ted and his wife Nancy at the Mt Washington Cog Railway. We took a trip up to the summit and had a good time up there except for when my arthritis caused me to take a fall and skin both my knees, bend my arthritic toe backwards spraining it badly and hurting the hell out of my pride. I am getting better. Yesterday we drove around looking for cemeteries and also found some. Today we activated two parks. The first is the Nansen Wayside State Park US-2668 in Milan NH. It had only been activated 3 times (until today). We made 10 contacts in about 1/2 hour and moved on. We proceeded through the 13 mile woods looking for mooses and went to Errol NH to Cote’s store for an obligatory slice of pizza. We then set out for Forest Lake State Park US-2652 in Whitefield NH which had only been activated 6 times (until today). We made 16 contacts spanning from New Mexico to Sweden! The European stations were coming in good today on 17M. SWMBO is getting some good practice in listening to heavy accents and copying callsigns. She was enjoying herself. I am trying to find places that haven’t been activated often to give people a chance to get them in their logs. Well enough for now. Time to say namaste, kidlets.

Mice, Men, Plans … Whatevah!

June 13, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Yesterday, June 12th, we went to Little Buffalo and activated US-1376. We had a good time and enjoyed the nice weather. My long-suffering wyfe logged and her app heard some red-eyed vireos, northern cardinals, american robins, orchard oreoles and house sparrows. In less than 45 minutes we logged 32 contacts with several park-to-parks. We got to enjoy a nice breeze coming off the lake and all was well.

Today we set out early to beat traffic. We wanted to go to Jayne Mansfield’s grave in Penn Argyl, PA. It is in a nice quiet cemetery on the outskirts of town. We took some pics and then we set out to active a park or 2. Simple, right? Well we first went to Beltsville State Park US-1330. The drive there was on mostly back roads and very scenic. When we got to the beach/picnic area of the park, there was a sign with the usual prohibitions but they also forbid “radios and speakers”. I found a ranger and introduced us and informed him of our intentions. He assured us that the forbidden radios only applied to “boombox” type radios as loud music has a tendency to be upsetting to some people. He had no problems with us sitting in our car and playing radio. While I was setting up, my wyfe used her app and heard some american gold finches, blue jays, red-eyed vireos, grey catbirds, tufted titmouses (titmice?), and yellow warblers. I got set up and in about 1/2 hours worked 13 stations with 4 park-to-parks. We packed up and set out for another park and that is where the real adventure began. First off, Lehigh Gorge has no internet access. We did not want to hang around and do a lengthy stay, waiting to get spotted. We will try again and pre-schedule an activation there. The same goes with Locust Lake. Then we left Locust lake seeking Tuscarora State Park. Our GPS lead us on a very merry chase around in circles which brought us back to Locust Lake. I don’t often swear at inanimate objects (yes I do) but this time I let out a torrent that would have made my father proud. At this point we gathered what was left of our dignity and set out for Memorial Lake. We stopped off for lunch at Snitz Creek Brewery and had a great meal. I had the chicken fried steak and Glory had the stuffed meatloaf. We then drove the mile down to the lake and activated. Memorial Lake State Park US-1384 is nice and peaceful. We worked 10 contacts on 40M, 1 on 17 M and 1 on 20M and then called it a day. Well that is all for now, kidlets. Namaste and sweet dreams.

A Sad Loss, A Good Day, A Not-So Good Day and A Mystery Solved

June 4, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

First off, the sad part. Our oldest cat, Mote, had to be put to sleep His kidneys failed and he was wasting away. Rather than see him in pain, we made the choice to help him cross over. I held him as he breathed his last and I talked to him and let him know that he was loved and a great little cat. Here is to Mote 2014 to 2024, always my little guy.

Yesterday we went out to Little Buffalo State Park US-1376 and worked 48 stations in about 45 minutes, 3 of which were park-to-parks. We only were on 40 Meters as the contacts were coming in one after the other and I really didn’t have time to think about changing antennae. It was one of those evenings which were almost a perfect radio storm. Non-stop and good reports for the most part. We also had a great view of the lake from where we were sitting. The spot I like to set up at is shaded and out of the way of traffic but affords a good view all around. We do get some curious looks but no one approaches. The only time someone came up and spoke with us was when it was a member of the club who was at the park walking his dog and he had seen us pull in. Overall it was a good evening.

Today, radio-wise was not so good. Propagation was not the best and it was difficult to make 10 contacts. In fact it took us 1 1/2 hours to make 12 contacts. I started out on 6 meters and got no answers but that is to be expected. The band was open but very few people monitor 6. I then tried 12 meters and then 40 meters and then 17 meters and then finally 20 meters. I was able to round out the contacts on 20 meters. We put our stuff away after an hour and a half and went to lunch. That was a success. Earlier, we had a mystery. I keep my antennae in a 3″ (7.62 cm) ID PVC pipe approx 4 foot (1.22 meter) long with end caps. The cap on the bottom is taped in place and the one on the top is not so that it can be removed for access to the antennae. Well I was in the process of switching bands from 12 to 40 meters when I realized that I could not locate the end cap for the top of the pipe. We searched the back of the car and the ground around and could not find the thing. It was very frustrating. Then the thought struck me. I folded back the screen the covers the baggage area of my car and Lo! and Behold! there it was. The mystery was solved and we did not even have to call in those meddling kids and their mangy dog! Well enough for now. Namaste kidlets and So Long to Mote.

Walking Between Raindrops

May 31, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Yes, I am back. Wednesday we got a bit bored and set out under rainy skies to Big Springs State Park US-4355. In about 1/2 hour we worked 17 stations including 2 park-to-parks. Then we went for a ride on one of our favorite back roads looking for nature. We saw a total of 5 squirrels and 4 bunnies and 1 whistlepig. I guess the rain showers kept most of nature in. Yesterday we set out as planned. We started with breakfast at the Newville Diner; breakfast being the cornerstone of any good activation. After an ongoing argument with my GPS, we arrived on top of Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg, PA. I have found this to be a great location to work from. It is elevated and is off the beaten path of the battlefield. Yes, some bus tours do stop there but aside from some curious looks, they leave you alone. I parked next to the 7th Indiana Infantry monument and set about activating the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park US-0027. We had a good run. We started at 0930 EDT (13:30 UTC) and spent about 15 minutes on 40M and made our 10 contacts. I then changed antennas and went to 17M for 15 minutes before going back to 40M. In between contacts we listened to the birds and enjoyed a nice quiet morning. A few people came up and climbed the tower but they left us alone. Overall we worked 25 stations from MA to NM . We then had to let mundane life take control and did some shopping. After we got home and got settled we decided to go out again. We are lucky to live in an area where we can drive a short distance in just about any direction and hit either a State Park, State Forest or State Game Land. Anyway, we arrived at Little Buffalo State Park US -1376 at around 17:30 EDT (21:30 UTC) and got on the air. This time I did not have time to consider changing bands. 40M was hot. I hunted 1 park-to-park and then found an empty frequency and stayed on it until we left. We worked 45 contacts with 6 park-to-parks and got to watch people fishing and picnicking and dog walking. The mood on the band was very upbeat. Everybody seemed very happy and everything was just humming along. I am very happy myself with the performance of these “hamstick” antennae. They do perform well. I am looking forward to taking them on vacation. If you want to see where we are, keep an eye on the POTA spots as I will update them. Also, I keep my APRS on in the car so when we are on vaca you can track us and make a guess as to where we will be next. ok. Enough for now I have a few things to do as I am working tonight. As the Prophet said: “work is the curse of the drinking class”. Namaste y’all

And It Rains as a Memorial

May 27, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Today is Pseudo-Memorial Day. I call it that as the real day of memorial was declared to be May 31st but politicians wanted to have a 3 day weekend so they changed tradition and changed the holiday into a meaningless day of sloth and bar-be-ques rather than remembering those who gave their lives for the service of this country. Okay, off of the soapbox lol. By now no one is reading this. lol. We had a bit of a scary and stressful time. Our oldest cat, Mote (age 10) has been losing weight and not acting himself. We feared the worst. We took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with a kidney infection and possible bad kidneys. We have now put him on a diet. This is much better than the cancer which we had feared. I was fully expecting to have to hold him as he crossed over, which I have done in the past for other furbabies. We are so happy that we have more time with him. Now on to more stuff. It is raining today. Very fitting. Friday we went to lunch at the Newville Diner and then activated King’s Gap SP. We made 15 contacts of which 3 were park-to-parks in about 45 minutes. Some people walked past us but no one stopped and asked us anything. Next we stopped off at State Game Lands 169. This is a nice quiet place and we worked 11 of which 6 were park-to-parks. Some of those I went hunting for as the propagation was not the best. We did not do any activations on Saturday but yesterday, Sunday, we went to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest. We worked a total of 28 contacts and 8 of these were park-to-parks. I have decided that we need to get a sunscreen for the car. I covered the windshield part way with a shirt to screen the radio but my wyfe had to move her cell phone (which she uses to keep time) as it was getting very hot. I also need to keep a pair of gloves in the car as my mag-mount gets very hot. We were discussing on the way home where I could keep these gloves. If only the car manufacturers had designed some compartment in the cars to hold gloves. Maybe someone should suggest it to them. Well enough for now. I am going to stare at the rain and the go ride my stationary bike. Namaste kidlets.

It May or May Not Be a Great Day!

May 21, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Yeah, more activations. Yesterday, Monday May 20th, we had to go to the store to get some cat treats so we grabbed the POTA gear and stopped off at Little Buffalo SP US-1376. While I was getting my antennae out, WA3ENQ, stopped by. He had been walking his dog and saw us pull in. We chatted for a few minutes and then he went off home. Not too much later he gave me a call and just happened by luck to be my 10th contact, making the activation bona fide! Rich is a fellow member of the Perry County Amateur Radio Club (https://perrycountyarc.org) and it was nice to see him and log him. We totaled 25 contacts in less than an hour on 40M and it was so busy I only took one picture! Today, Tuesday the 21st of May we set out early. We started out with breakfast (the most important meal of the day) at the Newville Diner in Newville PA. We then drove down into Maryland into the Catoctin Mountains. We were going to try Catoctin Mountain Park but the road to it was closed due to construction. We later found out there is an alternate route which we will try another time. We ended up at Cunningham Falls State Park US-1566. This was my first chance to use my Golden Age pass which lets us into the park free. We found a nice out of the way place to park and worked 12 contacts (6 park-to-park) on 40 Meters and 1 on 17 Meters before deciding to trollop up to Gettysburg PA US-0027. Now the battlefield in Gettysburg is big … very big and there are lots of places to work from but I chose Culp’s Hill as being a shaded and less travelled hilltop. Yes it does have a tower and is a destination for bus and car tours but is less of a draw than places like the “high-water mark” or Little Roundtop (which is currently closed for cleaning). It being mid-day I started out on 17 Meters and worked 6 stations. I then changed to 40 M and worked 3 more before swapping to 20 Meters. We worked 18 overall there including 2 park-to-parks. Now when I use “we” in my blog I am actually using the first person plural, not the “royal we”. Without the help of my wonderful and long suffering wyfe, these activations would not go so smoothly and also most of the good ideas are hers. Ok, kidlets, cheers for now. Namaste.

Zarathustra on Culps Hill

Mayapples and Roadapples

May 16, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

So the solar storm abated and we went out the other day. That was on Sunday the 12th. We set up in Big Spring State Park US-4355 and in about half an hour we worked 17 stations including 2 park-to-park contacts. The rain held off and I got a few pictures of the area and we got to enjoy the outdoors. A good day overall. Yesterday was a bit different. Sort of. Kind of. We had lunch and then decided on the spur of the moment to do an activation. We needed a few things from the big store so we decided to load up the gear and stop off at a game land that we have been wanting to activate for a while. That is how we found ourselves at PA State Game Land 169 US-8867 on a Wednesday afternoon. The parking lot where we parked was off of a not so busy road and that suited me. I like it quiet. It being early afternoon, I did not have high expectations for 40 M but started there anyway. I made 1 contact and then nothing for a few. I changed antennas and tried 6 meters. Now the solar prediction software may tell you that 6 Meters is open but that doesn’t mean that anyone is listening there. I called for a while on 50.130MHz, just above the SSB calling freq and got no response so I went back to 40 Meters where I had much better luck. I checked the spots and hunted up a couple of other activators who had come on in the past few minutes and that changed my luck. Within half an hour we logged a total of 14 and that made it a bonafide activation and made me happy. We tore down and, as always, made sure we left no trace of our being there. Well enough for now kids. Namaste and happy owls to all.

The Owl Sleeps Tonight

May 11, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

So … everyone who has gone out to activate a park in the rain during a radio blackout caused by a solar CME, raise your hands. Yeah. I swear, I had checked the solar data before we left yesterday, May 10th, and the storm hadn’t hit. I figured that we could get set up and work a quick 10 before the blackout and then be done. Nope, not a chance. We got to Little Buffalo State Park US-1376 and got set up and started out with a few quick contacts. Hearing the signal reports I was getting, I realized that the storm had hit and I checked the solar data and sure enough we were in severe storm status. The A index was in the 130s and K was 9. Yup. It took us about an hour to make 10 contacts and the signal reports were dismal. My wyfe was a real trooper, though. I could tell she was getting discouraged but she never said anything negative, she was encouraging and helpful. I am very thankful to the hams that were out there on the radio in spite of the blackout and solar storm. This can be contrasted with May 6th. I was sitting here in the late afternoon around 1830 and decided that I was bored. I loaded the car and got the wyfe and we set out for Big Springs State Park US-4355. Within an half hour we logged 26 contacts including 2 park-to-parks. It was a good way to spend an early evening. After we were through we took a ride down some back roads and looked for critters. It is nice to live in an area where there are parks close by so that we can go do activations when an impulse takes us. Well kidlets don’t let reports of bad conditions keep you off the radio, you just might be surprised. Have fun and practice safe radio. Namaste

Out on a whim

May 2, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

So yesterday, the 1th of May, we , my wyfe and I, activated 2 parks on a whim. We are getting some practice in setting up with “Hamstick” antennas and keeping a low profile. We started out at the ATV lot above Pine Grove Furnace in Michaux State Forest US-5471. In a short spell we worked 12 stations and moved on to Kings Gap US-4361. I had an online Elmer of mine, WV1W , remind me that I was on 7.175 and that this was excluding General class ops. As an Extra, I sort of forgot about that border. I thanked him and moved up a bit. After a few more minutes of making contacts, another op worked me and then asked me for a favor. He politely asked me to move as an established net was soon going to start about 1K above where I was parked. He was very gracious about it. I gladly QSY’d. Overall it was a positive experience and we made a total of 22 contacts at Kings Gap. For both park activations we totaled 14 park-to-park contacts.

Today, 2st May, we did another activation on a whim. On the way to supper we stopped off at State Game Land 230 on top of Waggoners Gap US-8927. This was a new entity for me. It was also practice in a hit-and-run type of activation. Propagation was in the dumps but it took about 35 minutes to work 10 stations including 4 park-to-parks. We have no pictures from here as it was windy and Zarathustra kept blowing off my car. All in all a good time was had by all. We are getting better at the quick set up and take downs and by the time we are on vacation I feel we will have it mastered. Of course it isn’t all about the radio. You can expect more and more pictures of nature and our surroundings. well, namaste for now, kidlets.

The mansion garden at Kings Gap … a magical place!

Horses First/The Great Impaled Pig Experiment

April 28, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

This afternoon I beat Satan’s Putting Green back into submission. I admit that I like the pungent aroma of fresh cut garlic mustard filling the air. My neighbor has yet to cut his this year and it is getting long but that is not my issue. He has a riding mower so he really doesn’t have an excuse. There is no contest, just a bit of a contrast. In any event, my cats don’t care. They still get to gaze out the windows and watch life go by. Now for the horses: there is an old troubleshooting credo: when you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras. I really need to take my own advice. I found the troublem with my radio and it was so simple that I am slapping my forehead still. It was a menu setting that was causing it to not transmit when I was using the playback on the voice recorder. Well at least the company gave it a clean bill of health. I am thinking of getting a sign made for my shack saying “HORSES FIRST” . Now about the impaled pigs. My wonderful and long suffering wyfe has great ideas. Her latest is to keep as low a profile as possible for activations when we are out of state and in high populated areas such as Gettysburg. I agree and today we were testing out the idea of operating with a “HAMSTICK” antenna on a 4″ magmount. it would be fast to deploy and would be rather circumspect and would not involve anything like putting a wire in a tree or anything such as that. Well, it worked and worked well. This morning we went to Little Buffalo State Park (US-1376) and worked 21 contacts in less than an hour on 40M. This was between 0830 and 0915 EDT and the sun had yet to burn off the cloud cover. After we packed up and left, we went to Big Springs State Park. By the time we arrived the sun had emerged and the clouds were gone. The sky was clear and blue and the temperature was up in the low 30’s Celsius. A very nice day, indeed. I tried a 20M “HAMSTICK” and could not find a vacant spot on the band as the Florida QSO Party was going on. I put the 40M ‘stick back on and worked 14 contacts including 6 park-to-park contacts in less than an hour during the middle of the day when D layer absorbtion was going strong. All in all, I call the great experiment a rousing success! Even Ptolemy was pleased! Well TTFN. Namaste, y’all