ham radio

The Number 13, Owls On The Hood And A Flamingo’s Day Out

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It has been a busy week. I had to work 4 consecutive days, Monday thru Friday (12 hours at night) and that makes a person tired. This was also the week for the 13 Colonies Special Event, which is a major event in ham radio with thousands of stations vying to contact all the stations. Well, I was able to complete a clean sweep as of Friday, 4 July. I was pretty happy with that. Most of those stations I worked on CW, the rest SSB. Yesterday, 5 July 2025, SWMBO and I set out to get an activation in before it got too hot. We went to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest US-5471. The last time we activated the lot was in March. As usual there were a few people there but not enough to make it difficult. One thing I like about the place is the fact that the people up there mind their own business and don’t worry about what other folks are doing. We made 31 contacts in an hour (9 of them park-to-park) and then the heat started building so we packed up and left. We came home and did some grocery shopping. Today, 6 July 2025, we went to the State Game Lands #169 US-8867 and spent some time there in the morning, again before the heat. We brought along Charade, the flamingo and Ptolomey, the owl. The lot we park at is on a back road so there is not a whole lot of traffic. This one we hadn’t activated since back in October of last year. Since this is a game land, I do try to avoid it during hunting seasons. It is a nice quiet area and a good place to park and play radio. Surprisingly, it has only been activated a total of 18 times. We made 14 contacts in about an hour as the bands were not that great today. We had a visit from a guy in his early 20’s who left when he discovered that I was holding an antenna rather than a fishing pole. On Friday, we brewed a batch of IPA which is currently bubbling away in the fermenter. The only other significant activity this week was we finally had the chance to cut Satan’s Putting Green. The plant growth was pretty high as this was the first chance we had to deal with it since our return from vacation. The amount of rain we had in the past 2 weeks did its work and made the place look like the pastureland it originally was. Here is the list of birds our app picked up today: Northern House Wrens, Gray Catbirds, American Robins, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, Carolina Cardinals, Song Sparrows, Tufted Titmouses, Yellow Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats, Indigo Buntings, House Finches, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Peewees, Cedar Waxwings, Carolina Wrens and Field Sparrows. I guess this is my latest update. I am attaching a couple of pictures and a link to a video of the IPA boiling. As always, namaste kiddos.

Moxie and Missy guard the radio as Zarathustra watches our 6
Ptolomey, Missy, and Moxie at State Game Lands 169
Charade the flamingo enjoying his day out.

Too Soon?

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I have found that the older you get, the quicker time goes by. I just finished a 4 day break from work. Another member of the team had to swap days with me as he had an obligation out of state to attend to. This means that my work schedule is a bit skewed. I was off for the past 4 nights and now I have to work for the next 4 nights. This did allow me to do some activations. I posted in a previous entry about not being in Hawaii but I went out on the 21st, also. It was a short, spur-of-the-moment activations. The bands were bad due to solar activity and I was only able to work 15 stations in an hour at Big Spring State Park US-4355. Before we had finished it started to rain so my owl got moist. I will be adding, either tonight or tomorrow night, a video of a train I took while sitting in the Lincoln diner, to my Youtube channel. You can find it at https://www.youtube.com/@gestyrious/videos. Anyway, I am sitting here drinking coffee and considering getting ready for work. I enjoy my job so that is no big thing but the hours do get long. A 12 hour shift can be a bit endless on the 4th consecutive night. I guess we all have to make our way as best we can and take the ups with the downs. SWMBO and I got some new action cameras so I might be adding more videos soon. In any event, it is Memorial Day Weekend so let us take a moment to think of those who sacrificed their lives to ensure our rights and freedoms. Well, one of my cats, Kalamazoo, is begging me for some treats so I better comply. For now and as always, namaste kiddos.

Ptolomey in the rain at Big Spring State Park
Looking towards the park entrance.

Funny, This Doesn’t Look Like Hawaii

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It was a beautiful day today so SWMBO and I set out this morning to do an activation and checkout a cemetery. We decided to go to Gathland State Park US-1574 which is a 2-fer as the Appalachian Trail US-4556 runs right through it next to where we were parked. We were going to park in the lower parking lot, but another ham was there, and we didn’t want to crowd or bother him. We got set up and made 25 contacts within about 40 minutes which was pretty good as the bands were pretty bad. We had 3 park-to-parks and then set out for a nearby cemetery for some video and photography. You can find some interesting things in cemeteries such as the carvings on the older stones. The cemetery we went to was Union Cemetery in Burkittsville MD. I found an interesting carving which I will include below. From there we went to Gettysburg PA US-0027 for another activation and to get lunch. We had stopped at one of our favorite spots, Culp’s Hill and making contacts was like pulling teeth. It took almost an hour to make 22 contacts, 3 of which were park-to-parks. Of the 22 contacts, 19 were on 20M (not my favorite band) and the first ones were on 40M. As I had said, conditions were bad and sometimes things got a bit lost or garbled which is what happened to my park number. One of our contacts re-spotted me on the POTA app as US-0037 (Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park) instead of US-0027 (Gettysburg National Military Park) which caused a slight bit of confusion. I was wondering why people were thinking we were in HI and not PA as I kept identifying. I hope this didn’t screw up their logs or ruin their days. I didn’t find out about the spotting error until we were sitting in the Lincoln Diner in Gettysburg and I saw the mistake on my HAM Alert app. In any event, I chalk it up to mistakes happen. At least the log I uploaded to the app is correct. We did hear a lot of birds today both in MD and PA. The list is as follows: Red-Eyed Vireos, Yellow Throated Vireos, Wood Thrushes, Blue Jays, American Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, Black and White Warblers, Eastern Wood Peewees, American Robins, Scarlet Tanagers, Cedar Waxwings, Chipping Sparrows, Jack Sparrows, European Starlings, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers and Great Crested Flycatchers. I would have to classify today as a success but I really will be thankful when the bands get better. I will be uploading a few new videos to my Youtube page soon. Until next time, namaste kids.

Usually the finger on tombstones points up. Makes you wonder…
A cool stump in Union Cemetery in Burkittsville MD
Missy and Moxie at Gathland SP

Too Windy For Owls And Some Ruminations On Being A Ham

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It is March already and it’s living up to its reputation for being windy. Yesterday it was nice temperature wise but it was windy. We activated the ATV Lot in Michaux State Forest US-5471 and made 36 contacts in spite of the doom and gloomers warning of poor activity on a contest weekend. More on that later. There were a few trucks at the lot, ATVers out for rides, mostly. There was one guy who brought his dogs up for a frolic. They were cute little long haired dachshunds. Some riders came off the trails and loaded up to leave. We got some curious looks but no interaction. We were unable to hear any birds due to the wind. Neither yesterday nor today did we plan ahead, we just did it. Today we ventured to Caledonia State Park US-1337. We parked in one of the parking lots and got set up quickly. There were a few people enjoying the park and walking some of the trails. Again, we got some curious looks but the only person who said anything thought we were fishing when he saw me putting away my 40M hamstick. We made 37 contacts with one from England. All in all a good time in spite of the wind. The guy who asked about the fishing, when I told him it was ham radio, remarked that he has always wanted to be a ham. Then he walked away. I know how that goes. I always wanted my license but things like life and irresponsibility got in the way of my aspirations. Finally in July 1998 I got my license. I started out as a tech and then got tech plus then general and advanced and then I passed the Extra license 1 week before the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement from 20 WPM to 5 WPM. I still use CW from home and enjoy the rhythm of it. As for contesting, I am not much of a contester. I don’t have the attention span to devote a whole weekend to radio. I try to keep things balanced and do my best to keep SWMBO happy. I like to think of myself as an all-around ham. I participate in the local ARES group and am ready and willing to help out in an emergency. Mostly I just enjoy talking on the radio and getting out into nature. SWMBO enjoys helping me by logging and she also likes to do day trips to get out of the house. As for working POTA on a contest weekend, it is easy. I start out on 40M as it doesn’t really go long during daylight hours. Usually, I can get enough contacts to be legitimate before I move to another band. During contests I like getting on the WARC bands where contesting isn’t allowed. I can always find people on 12 or 17M. Well I guess I am finished for today. Keep smiling, keep on hamming and POTA on! Namaste y’all.

A view looking down the ATV lot in Michaux SF
Moxie at the ATV lot guarding the radio.
Moxie at Caledonia SP
Calling CQ at Caledonia SP

Chilly Activation

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It was a beautiful day today if you care to ignore the temperature. After breakfast at the Newville Diner, we drove up to the ATV lot in Michaux State Forest US-5471. When we arrived the sky was blue, there was a light breeze and the temperature was 271 K or -2 C or 29 F, whichever you prefer. I like K in the winter because it sounds so much warmer. There were no birds to be heard today and also, luckily, the lot was not filled with the vehicles of hunters taking their rifles for a walk in the forest. There were 3 pickups but it is a big lot so no problems finding parking. We started out on 40 metres and the contacts started coming in fast and furious. I did not have time to spot myself online very often. Within 26 minutes we worked 37 stations from up and down the Eastern 1/3 of the country. Towards the end of that timespan, things started to slow up. I swapped out antennae and went to 12 metres to give the Europeans a chance. We made 21 more QSO’s on 12 and then called last call. Overall 58 contacts in about 1 hour. I know that Costa Rica isn’t Europe, nor is Mexico but I was happy to put them in the logs. We even had a contact from Finland. Overall a great POTA day. Yesterday we brought Calamity to the vet for the first time. She received a clean bill-of-health and will have a follow up in a few weeks for spaying. She is a bit older than I thought she was. The vet said she is around 6 months. That doesn’t make her any less loveable. After we got her home we let her out of the carrier and she was her usual self, apparently forgiving me for subjecting her to the indignities of a vet visit. Right now she is playing fetch with me. Well enough for today. Namaste, kidlets.

Calamity at the vet waiting to be taken home.
Moxie and Tootsie enjoying a sunny December day

500 At Gettysburg

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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.

Mice, Men, Plans … Whatevah!

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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

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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.

Mote: Always my little guy.
Tootsie at Little Buffalo

That Leather Thing on the Back of the Horse: I’m Back in it

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So got my radio back on Friday and the wyfe and I went out today for a couple of activations. We started out at Michaux State Forest (US-5471) at the ATV lot and worked 19 stations after a great breakfast at the Newville Diner. The radio is working great though now I suspect the issue is with the tuner. I was able to work 40 meters but when I tried to tune 15 meters it went back to no output. I went back to 40 meters and worked more stations with no problems. I was starting to suspect the antenna at this point. We packed up and set out for Kings Gap (US-4361). We set up a wire antenna ( a g5rv jr) and got on the air. Again it tuned 40 meters and did not work on 15 meters. Since the radio was fully tested and I swapped antennas and coax, the only thing left is the tuner. I will have to do more testing and try another tuner. In any event we worked 28 stations at Kings Gap in less than an hour. I count today as successful for an activating. Namaste for now kids.

Ptolemy at Michaux State Forest
Ptolomey watching me make a call at Kings Gap

I need a refill for my analogy medicine (Mommy? What’s a meta for?)

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Nope, no activation for me today. I have to work (work is the curse of the drinking class) tonight so I didn’t have the time between chores and sleep to run out anywhere. I did manage to get on the radio for a while and do some hunting and that is what generated this thought train. Other than POTA hunting,I also hunt special event stations and it works about the same. Sometimes you go to the creek after checking the fishing report (POTA spotting and/or special event spots) and toss your bait into a promising spot, hook that fish and move on. Sometimes you get to the creek and there are a bunch of people there vying for the same fish. I remember going fishing for stripers at Parker Dam on the Colorado River in Arizona and marveling at how the safety cable above the dam was used as a mooring spot. The boats stretched from one side of the river to the other,all trying to catch Striped Bass as they were heading upstream to spawn. POTA hunting can be the same. You have to be patient and repeat your call over and over. Wow, another thought. It can be compared to frogs in the Spring. They call again and again and attract swarms of prospective mates. In any event, the competition can be fierce at times or, if the timing is right, you can hit one after the other without much effort. Activating is the other side of the coin. You put your call out there and sometimes getting an answer is similar to pulling teeth from a hen. Other times there are pile ups. How you handle the pile ups is up to you. Some ops go “by the numbers”, calling call areas out numerically, some make lists. I listen for park-to-parks and qrp stations first then I go for the first signal that catches my ear. Sometimes I have to tell a station to stand by when I work another station. Overall, you do the best you can. I guess I have run out of steam for now and I think that if I have not thoroughly confused you, I have confused myself. Namaste for now kidlets.