Here I am, sitting down and enjoying a cup of coffee. It was a good day today. SWMBO requested that we do an activation in Maryland and, of course, her wish is my command. 🙂 We had breakfast at the Newville Diner and I considered our options. I decided to do a 2fer … a location that counts as 2 parks. We went down to South Mountain State Battlefield SP and Washington Monument SP (US-6390 and US-1604 respectively) and got set up. As per usual, I had my FT891 and was using “hamstick” style antennas on a mag-mount.We worked 37 contacts in a very short time; it took less than hour. Mostly I had the rig set on 40M but then I gave 10M a try. Europe and GB were coming in nicely. SWMBO suggested that we activate Greenbriar SP US-1575 as it was only a couple miles away. I opted to work 10M since I had good results. The first 2 parks are on a mountain and Greenbriar is down below in a hollow. In a short while we had worked 19 stations including France, Austria, Poland, Wales, Scotland and England. We worked as far west in the US as Colorado. 10M was booming. I even had a local ham come back to me. He was only a few miles away and surprised to work anyone this close on 10M.We didn’t have any encounters with people though we got a lot of curious stares at both locations. The sun was shining and it was nice and warm. We didn’t hear any birds today but maybe next time. I have been perusing maps and there are a lot of State Parks in Maryland to explore though I am nowhere done with PA. It is just good to go out of the state now and then. I have a long stretch at work coming up but afterwards we might take a little road trip. Who knows. 🙂 Well enough for now. Time to relax and drink coffee. Namaste, kidlets.
Though Calamity doesn’t go on activations, she helps me hunt! My Subaru at South MountainMoxie at GreenbriarA poster at one of the parks.
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.
Calamity the new radio kittyMoxie and Tootsie at Mont Alto
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 and Ptolomey at Little BuffaloMoxie the gnome, Tootsie the owl and Tom the ham at Kings Gap
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
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.
Today I bid a sad and final adieu to Lester the Gnome. During the setup at Barlows Knoll he fell onto the pavement and smashed to pieces. He will be missed. I do have another Gnome to take his place but Lester will be sorely missed. Yes, we did return to the grassy knoll this morning. We intended to activate from Culp’s Hill in Gettysburg National Military Park US-0027, but when we arrived at the top of the hill there was a crew working there so it was on to plan B. We drove to Barlows Knoll and parked there. As before, I backed into the parking space so that we were not facing into the sun. I got set up and ready to go (sans Lester) and then ascended the tower and shot a panoramic video. Tootsie the owl came with me for moral support and a good time was had by all. SWMBO wandered around doing her own thing videoing in the nearby fields. We then convened at the car and began operating. We immediately started making contacts and it went pretty steady. I was able to post spots for us on different places online and that generated activity. Another factor in our favour was location. People seem to like to work places such as Gettysburg. I am going to drive down to Harpers Ferry in the near future along with Antietam and see what kind of traffic I can generate there. We did not hear any birds this morning but we did watch a train go by at the bottom of the hill. Well enough for now. Namaste, kidlets and Farewell Lester.
Breakfast: the start of a good activationTootsie looking forlorn without Lester.
I tried to update this yesterday, really I did but somehow I had turned on the “stickykeys” function on my keyboard and it was a bitch to turn it off. Anyway, here I am. On last Sunday, the 18th, we went to Big Spring State Park US-4355. It had been a while since we had activated there and it was a nice change of pace. The only bird we heard was an Eastern Wood Peewee. I did a short recording there to add to my YouTube Channel, @planetgesterious. I have started adding videos there about POTA and radio and anything else that strikes my fancy. Well at Big Spring we made 14 contacts in about 1/2 hour. Surprisingly there were a few carloads of people who showed up though no one bothered us. On Wednesday the 21th, we activated Little Buffalo State Park US-1376. It as a nice way to get out of the house and spend some time by the lake. We heard European Starlings and Tufted Titmouses (Titmice?) amd watched the clouds roll in from the West. We even caught a few drops of rain. Once again, I shot a short video clip for my channel. We made 34 contacts in about 40 minutes and had a nice peaceful time people watching. Overall a couple of good activations. The more we do these activations the more I like the concept of light weight equipment and I am thankful I have gotten away from the full-blown dog-and-pony show that I used when I first started.. I can be set up in a few minutes and it only takes a short time to take down. Well, I am going to bring this to a close as I have to get ready for work and we all know that work is the curse of the drinking class. Namaste for now, y’all.
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
Devil’s Den in the morning drizzle.
Little Roundtop as seen from Devil’s Den
Zarathustra the owl and Lester the gnome watching operationsBurdock (Arctium minus)
Hi all. We did a spur of the moment activation today. SWMBO wanted to do some videos in Gettysburg so we set out early to beat the heat and the crowds. The park opens at sunrise so we planned on getting there shortly thereafter, which we did. Driving in the early morning hours on a Saturday morning is nice and relaxed. There are few cars on the road and everything seems quiet and surreal. There was a fog which added to the mystic quality. We arrived at the National Military Park at around 0615 and found the areas where my wyfe wanted to video. It was already hot and moist, 25 C (78F for those stuck in a system based on the freezing point of brine) and about 8000% humidity. Gloria did her video project and we found our way to Culp’s Hill. It was nice up there; fog laying thick around the hilltop. As soon as I got out of the car to get set up some big fat rain drops started falling; not many but enough to be slightly annoying. In a few minutes I was on the air. As I was setting up, my wyfe used her app to listen for birds. She logged blue jays, eastern wood peewees, red headed woodpeckers, american robins, house finches and mourning doves. One thing of note: we both were aware of an acrid sulphureous odor which I identified as the smell of black powder from musket or cannon fire. Maybe some re-enactors were up early or maybe we were catching an olfactory echo from the past. Who knows? Anyway, the contacts were coming fast and Glory was having a hard time keeping up logging at times. In less than an hour we made 38 contacts exclusively on 40 meters and worked stations as far away as South Dakota! At one point I had a 4 minute QSO with a ham from NY who was interested to know what my set up was as he plans on starting to get into activating parks. My set up is simple and I prefer to keep it that way. It doesn’t take me long to get on the air and I do nothing that night be construed as damage to the area in which I am operating. We logged 4 park-to-park contacts, which is always nice. When it got too uncomfortable, we departed. Well kidlets I think this is enough for now. Namaste and have fun
Tootsie looking on as my radio is guarded by Lester the gnome.A foggy morning in Gettysburg PA
First off, I am going to rant. I know that the interwebs and social media (in some cases anti-social media) is not a true cross sectional representation of hams but I have seen a lot of this online to merit some commentary. I have read too many people stating that they can go into a State or National Park or owned lands and do whatever they want without permission from the rangers and the rangers cannot tell them what they can and cannot do. I find this attitude of entitlement to be childish and hurtful to the reputation of all hams. First off, these lands are public property, yes, but that means they are shared by the public. As such, there must be rules for usage so that everyone using these lands can enjoy them. The rangers are there to enforce these rules and make sure that standards of behavior are met. Some inconsiderate person going into a park and throwing trash around or breaking tree limbs or making a lot of unwanted noise should be held accountable for their behavior. It is a matter of courtesy in most cases to let the rangers know what you are doing and answer any concerns they any have. In some cases it is mandatory to contact the rangers. Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland is very close to Camp David. It is required that you check in with the ranger station prior to operating there so that they can make sure you won’t be interfering with the comms at Camp David. I had occasion to stop at a park this summer where they had a sign posted at the gates stating no radios allowed. I found a ranger and asked him and discovered the ban was for “boom box” type radios and he had no problems with me doing an activation. He was glad that I stopped by and asked, though. To those who have the attitude that you can do as you please on public lands, consider this: the state or town owns an easement of at least 3 feet from the edge of the road in front of your house onto “your” property. This is considered public land. What if someone with the “I can do what I want” attitude decided to empty the holding tank on their RV on this public land? Hmmmm …
On to other things. On July 21st, my long suffering wyfe and I set out early to Gettysburg to beat the heat. She wanted to do some photography so we drove around and found the monuments she had listed. We made it up onto Little Roundtop and WOW! they made some improvements in the road and parking areas up there. Anyway, after a bit we drove up to Culp’s Hill and did an activation. She heard only 1 species of bird: the Eastern Blue Jay. We logged 34 contacts over the course of 45 minutes and retreated before the heat got too oppressive. Our next opportunity to activate was yesterday, July 25th. We had a breakfast at the Newville Diner in Newville, PA and drove over to the ATV lot on Piney Mountain Ridge Road in Michaux State Forest. We found a nice shady spot and were soon on the air. There was only 1 bicyclist and 1 dog walker there so the place wasn’t busy at all. SWMBO was able to use her app and hear Red-Eyed Vireos, Tufted Titmouses (titmice?), Eastern Wood Peewees and Carolina Chickadees. The 40 metre band was hopping and in about 45 minutes we worked 37 contacts. Once again we picked up before it got too hot. All in all, a good activation. I looked into camping at the ATV lot and it only costs $10 per night. There is no running water but there is bathroom facilities (primitive but usable). Well enough for now. Namaste, kiddos.
One of the very cool monuments at GettysburgMy car at GettysburgPtolomey at the ATV lot
Nature, Radio, and Me 