Everytime I travel to do a Parks on the Air activation is special but on April 22nd, "Earth Day 2025" I reached a noteworthy occasion at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US-7956 in Louisville, KY. USA. The occasion; activation Number 300. I never imagined that on an early Sunday morning on August 8, 2021, I would achieve this milestone and the path that Parks on the Air would provide that has lead me to enjoy so many meaningful and wonderful experiences
Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve 8/8/2021
I discovered POTA during the height of the COVID pandemic and was recovering from surgery and treatment for liver failure. LIttle did I know at the time of two more bladder cancer surgeries, treatments and the horrendous side effects that face me over the next three years. Undeterred since I've survived a previous bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer surgery and treatment, Parks on the Air was the best medicine and treatment during this time. I am so LUCKY to have a Parks on the Air Site less than three miles from my QTH. How could I not take advantage of an opportunity to discover something new which turn out to more exciting than I could imagine.
I'd like to share some of the equipment I've used during some of those 300 valid activations at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve.
I've had a few failed attempts but being able to spend time outdoors during COVID surges and my cancer surgeries and treatments are more meaningful than those failed attempts. I've meet countless people, have now been able to call a few friends, shared the hobby with many, numerous encounters with wildlife and seemingly have become the favorite of a multitude of canine visitors.
Not knowing what to expect on my first Parks on the Air activation, I used my trusty Yaesu FT-891 with my Alpha Mag Loop antenna. Having barely used Morse Code in over 30 years most of the QSOs during that first POTA activation was SSB.
Not only did I take the moniker "Ham on a Bike" during these 300 activations, I learned to lighten my bike load. First with my Yaesu FT-817 along with LDG/z817 Autotuner when needed.
And I've continued to get smaller with my rigs over these 300 activations.
YouKits HB-1B
QRP Labs QCX Mini
And I have collected a few paddles and keys during the 300 activations.
American Morse Equipment Porta Paddle
Radio Adventure Paddle
CW Morse SP4 Paddle
3D Printed Paddle
American Morse Equipment Ultra Porta Paddle
3D Printed Mini Paddle
Putikeeg Mini Straight Key
CW Mouse 3D Printed Paddle
I've used a variety of antennas during these 300 activations. Most of them are DIY but a few are commercially built. All types of setups, masts, and other means of support.
I've used my Buddipole Antenna System in several different confirgurations.
40 & 20 Linked Dipole
QRO EFHW /TennTennas 49:1
QRP Guys Mini Random Wire
Speaker Wire Random Wire
On this Earth Day 4/22/2025 I decided to use the rig I and antenna I started my Parks on the air activation with this this site. My Yaesu FT-891 and Alpha Mag Loop antenna.
Here is a short video of how thingsturned out on this 300th 40 meter CW/SSB Parks on the Air activation from US-7956 Beargrass Creek state Nature Preserve in Louisville KY. USA .
Outstanding achievement Jim! I've only done a hand full of activations, and those were with our local club, so I can truly appreciate what you've done over the past four years. Keep on activating, and I'll keep trying to work you when I can hear you! 73, Howard, AC4FS
Morse Code POTA Hunter It is Spring in the U.S. and the Early Birds are out chirping Morse Code. You've heard the saying, "The Early Bird Catches the Worm". l did a post about The Morse Code POTA Early Birds Activators . That post is about a group of CW operators who by chance arise before sunrise to activate Parks on the Air sites around the U.S. These collective Morse Code Parks on the Air operators are back again with early morning POTA activations, and with some new activators. None of these operators organized these activities as a group. These EARLY BIRDS just came together unintentionally to operator at sunrise. They seem to employ the Nike commercial catchphrase ... JUST DO IT! If you are curious about Parks on the Air , new to Morse Code and looking for a short structured CW QSO exchange, an early riser, or an activator who is taking a day off, turn on that rig to hunt the Parks on the Air Morse Code EARLY BIRDS any day of t...
Craig - WB3GCK Jim - N4JAW Sometimes it can be exhilarating achieving a first. Recently I had once such opportunity with my first Ham On A Bike - To - HAm On A Bike Morse Code QSO with Craig - WB3GCK. I featured Craig in one of my recent blogs "I Am Not Alone! There Are Many Of Us." Craig went out on his first Ham On A Bike ride of 2025 to at a local peak near his QTH in Pennsylvania and just happened to find me while I was doing a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation from Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve in Louisville, KY. USA (US-7956). Not only was Craig my first Ham on a Bike contact he was also my first contact for that day. Here is a photo of Craig's bike setup for that day. You can read more about his operation and setup on that day from his Blog. WB3GCK - First Ride of the Year 3/29/2025 POTA Activation at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US - 7956 / Louisville, KY. USA EM78df Not only has the Space Weather been intolerable but around my Q...
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Outstanding achievement Jim! I've only done a hand full of activations, and those were with our local club, so I can truly appreciate what you've done over the past four years. Keep on activating, and I'll keep trying to work you when I can hear you! 73, Howard, AC4FS
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jim!
ReplyDelete73
John McGrath
KF6EFG