A Two-fer And A Onesie

February 25, 2025 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

A good time was had by all today! We did a couple of activations today. We heard the following birds: American Crow, House Finch, American Robin, Tufted Titmouse (or was that titted tuftmouse?) Canada Goose, Carolina Wren and Northern Mockingbird. Quite a bunch! Last night I asked SWMBO where we should go to activate today. She suggested Maryland. She also talked me into activating multiple parks (like that took a lot of arm twisting lol). Well I was looking at a map and a list of parks and decided to go to Gathland State Park US-1574 in Jefferson Maryland. It is located on South Mountain and was the site of a civil war battle. It is a small quiet park though a few people were there when we arrived. A man came over to the car as I was setting up and introduced himself as KB3EOF, Sandy. He had just finished activating the park. It is nice to have a face-to-face qso. He gave me a call when he got home and I got him in the log as a hunter. After he left I finished setting up and got on the air. With SWMBO logging we worked 43 stations, all on 40M. This park was also a 2-fer as the Appalachian Trail US_4556 runs through it. We then took a walk around the park, read the historical signs and took pictures. We then set out for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park US-0735. Harpers Ferry was only about 15 minutes away so that was convenient. We spoke with the people in the Visitors Center and they were very okay with ham radio activities in the park. One of their volunteers is a ham and he has activated the park himself. Though the AT runs through Harpers Ferry, we were too far away from the trail to count it. We only worked 25 contacts here on both 40M and 17M. We got some contacts from all over the US, a couple from Europe and I was very surprised and pleased to receive a call from A65D in the UAE. This is the first contact I have had with that country and was glad to get it into the log. Now I am sitting at home with a cat taking over my lap. The cat in question is Kalamazoo, one of my pocket panthers. Well I am going to close for today. Namaste kidlets!

The War Correspondents Memorial at Gathland SP

When is the last time you have seen one of these?

The Day of Pork Sausage

February 2, 2025 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

Well it happened this morning. At least they didn’t lie like they do a lot of years. Pencilvania’s rodent celebrity is purported to having seen his shadow. If they had said otherwise I would be jumping up and down screaming “LIARS!!!!”. At sunrise this morning the sun was shining right in SWMBO’s and my eyes as we travelled to Susquehanna State Park (US-1601) in Maryland. It is a nice drive through the countryside of PA and MD. The fields are mostly bare and though the temperature was -3 C, it was pleasant. We pulled into the park at the boat launch and were set up very quickly. There were a few fishermen on the ramp below us but we didn’t interact with them. The loons were out on the river along with Canada Gooses. In fact, our phone app heard Canada Geese and Tufted Titmouses. Well I started out on 40M with SWMBO logging as usual and the contacts were coming in fast and furious. I barely had time to post spots which is a good thing. We knocked off 24 contacts and SWMBO suggested we move to another park. We tore down and made our way to Palmer State Park (US-1587) which was only about 15 minutes away. Again, most of the drive was through the scenic countryside, this time with the sun behind us. At one point along the way a couple of ruminants crossed the road in front of us. I had never been to Palmer SP before and found a spot in the first parking lot we came to. There were hiking paths and a few people were out walking their dogs or just out for a walk. We got set up and started out on 40 M, making contacts from MA to GA and points in between. We were quickly a bonafide activation and after 18 contacts we swapped antennae and started on 17 M. This band was slow at first but soon picked up. We had a couple of contacts from Sweden, one from the Dominican Republic and several from places like Texas and Alabama. When we decided to pack up we had worked 35 contacts and I had officially activated 30 distinct parks since starting my POTA adventures. This gives me a Gold Activator award. We activated the phone app and heard Red-bellied Woodpeckers, House Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmouses, and White-breasted Nuthatches. As we were operating the sky went from clear blue to a dull and foreboding gray. It is still overcast now as I sit in the comfort of my shack drinking coffee and interacting with the cats. I am soon going to have to fill the pellet stove. Well I believe I have prattled on enough for one day. Everyone have a day! Namaste, kidlets!

Moxie and Tootsie enjoying Susquehanna State Park

Na And Nock

December 26, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

SWMBO and I decided to go for a little ride today and activate US-1601 Susquehanna State Park in Maryland. It was overcast and gloomy and the temperature was hovering just above freezing. We got set up and dove right in. In around 45 minutes we worked 28 contacts total on 40M and 12M. We had set up at the same place we did the last time we were here: the boat ramp. As we were working stations we got to watch loons, ducks and a bald eagle swimming and flying around. Our app on the phone heard American Crows, Downy Woodpeckers, Whited Throated Sparrows and Northern Cardinals. We made a Park-to-Park contact with someone working a 2-fer. Overall, it was a fun and successful activation. Then it happened: SWMBO said “how about we go to another park?” We tore down and set out. On the way we went over the dam at the Conowingo Hydro plant. SWMBO wanted to video the crossing so when we got across, we turned around and crossed it again. It is a monumental structure and dates back to 1928. The original town of Conowingo MD had to be moved when they constructed the dam and is now submerged in the reservoir. From there we travelled up river a few miles to Susquehannock State Park US-1425. This was the first time I activated this park but it won’t be the last. We set up in the parking lot for the overlook area and we were the only people . There were some beautiful holly trees in the median. We only heard Northern Cardinals there, though. In 25 minutes we made 19 contacts on 40M and 12M to include a 2-fer Park-to-Park with 2 operators. I was getting good signal reports and am hoping the solar cycle continues this way. Well I am back home, sipping coffee and enjoying the warmth of the stove so I think I will say Namaste. kiddos!

Moxie and Tootsie at Susquehanna State Park in Maryland

Moxie and Tootsie at Susquehannock State Park in PA

Chilly Activation

December 3, 2024 / KB3CVO / Leave a comment

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

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.

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

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

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