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.

Ptolomey and Moxie at Susquehanna State Park

Culps Hill Finally!

September 19, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Today SWMBO and I were able to make it to Culps Hill at Gettysburg US-0027 with no road blocks and no mowers. We did find that they have marked the parking spaces adjacent to the 7th Indiana monument as handicap spaces but other than that, things are ok. We got set up and were able to make 33 contacts in about 1/2 hour of operating time all on 40 meters. The band was in good shape. We worked 4 park-to-park stations of which 2 were 2-fers so it was a good day. The weather was nice and the cloud cover burned off to reveal the sun. It didn’t get too hot, either. We did pause during out activation as a tour group moved right next to us and the guide did a presentation to them. This took about 20 minutes. I didn’t want to bother them so I went radio-silent until they left. All in all, the day went well. Until next time, namaste, kids.

Same Ol’ Knoll, Different Gnome and Changing Plans

September 14, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

What a week. On Tuesday the 10th, SWMBO and I were heading out and were waylaid by an e-mail exchange and phone call exchange that ended up with me going into work Tuesday night as a co-worker had emergency dental surgery. SWMBO and I altered our plans for the day and we did an activation in Gettysburg US-0027. Culps Hill was still being occupied by a platoon of grass cutters and maintenance folks so we went back to Barlows Knoll. We worked 31 contacts in about 40 minutes under the supervision of Zarathustra the owl and Moxie, our new companion gnome. On Friday the 13th we took care of some important stuff that needed to be done and then were able to spare a bit of time to go out and activate. We set out for 3 Square Hollow Vista but when we got there, there was a family picnicing so we moved on. We started travelling towards Big Spring State Park but before we went more than 200 meters we almost got run over by a truck hauling wood-chips from a logging site. Narrow roads and large trucks do not mix. We made it to Big Spring State Park US-4355 without further incident and since I was unaware that there was a solar storm going on, I worked 21 contacts within 1/2 hour. We then reluctantly packed up and did some more chores which had to be done. Today we set out early for breakfast at the Newville Diner in Newville, PA. After we went to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest US-5471 above Pine Grove Furnace. Usually the lot is pretty quiet but it is a Saturday so there was a fair amount of activity. There were even some people camping there including N3AIR who was set up for the VHF contest. He and I spoke for a bit after I tore down. In about 45 minutes we made 37 contacts and then the band dropped out on us. we packed up and went and completed some errands that needed done and then I tackled Satan’s Putting Green. I got that under control and still have a few things to do but I guess there is no west for the reary. As always, namaste kiddos.

Moxie and Zarathustra supervising us at the grassy knoll

Moxie and Ptolemy at Big Spring. Ptolemy is hiding in the glare of the sun

Requiem For Gnome and Return To The Grassy Knoll

September 5, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

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 activation

And September is Here

September 2, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

And just like that it is September. I am not looking forward to the cold weather though I have my pod and my heater and will be able to set up in comfort. I have accelerated my video posts on my YouTube channel: planet gestyrious. Some are about POTA and some are about State Parks and some just are things that catch my eye. I have also been doing other things to keep busy and active. Last night I came up with an idea. I posted on the FB group that I was going to be on 50.111 MHz and try to contact anyone in the club that was interested. I wasn’t able to hear anyone but it was worth a try. It was a short notice and 6 M might have not been the best choice. Maybe next time we should try for 40M ground wave. Anyway, yesterday September 1st, SWMBO and I went to Mont Alto SP US-1386 and did an activation before it got too hot and humid. Between 40 and 15 metres we worked a total of 15 contacts. The park itself actually had people there which is a bit unusual. Normally it is deserted but yesterday there were people inhabiting the pavilion. Come to think of it, it was a holiday and a Sunday. Oh the only bird we heard was a mourning dove. Ok enough for today, kidlets. Happy days and namaste.

Activation on a Grassy Knoll

August 27, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Today, 27 August, my long suffering wyfe wanted to do some videos in Gettysburg so I grabbed my gear and we set out. First we had breakfast at the Newville Diner and then proceeded to Gettysburg. After SWMBO was done with her videos, we set out for Culp’s Hill. Well there was a problem: all the roads leading to the hill were closed! I uttered several choice words that I learned at a young age from listening to my father and uncles, and went with plan “B”. Always have plan “B”. We drove over to Barlow’s Knoll, my favorite grassy knoll. It is located near the Peace Light, sits on a good elevation, has a nice view and the traffic there is light. Places like Little Roundtop are higher in elevation but tend to get crowded, especially in the summer. When we first pulled in to park, I backed into the parking space so that the sun wasn’t shining into the windshield and frying our eyes as the spaces face East to South, making them very bright in the morning. Funny thing is, most of the cars that pulled in after us also backed in. I guess we were trend setters! Anyway, I made a short video of the location and my gear for my YouTube channel, shot a video of a train going by at the bottom of the hill and then set up to operate. In about a half hour we worked 32 contacts including 2 park-to-parks, all on 40 meters which I thought was pretty good for morning. It got too hot, too soon and we wrapped things up but a good time was had by all. The only negative thing was the lack of shade. We could have worked longer if it had been a bit cooler. Well until next time, as always, namaste and always roam with a gnome.

Lester and Zarathustra on a grassy knoll.

One Week and Two Activations Later …

August 24, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

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.

Big Spring SP

Nature, Radio, and Me

A POTA Explorer's Diary

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