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
A few weeks ago, I bumped into Dr. Emmet Brown while he was working on his DeLorean Time Machine while I was doing a Parks on the Air activation at the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve - US-7956 in Louisville, KY. USA. I asked Dr. Brown if it was possible he could spare a few minutes to travel back in time to Christmas 1977, when my former wife (SK) purchased a Heathkit HW-8 CW transceiver for me as a Christmas gift. Although I was unlicensed and we lived in a Townhouse apartment with antenna restrictions; I was not going to let it deter me from building this rig and getting licensed. The Great Blizzard of January 1978 was the PERFECT time to build this rig; as Indianapolis, IN. USA, like many Midwestern cities at that time were shut down for more than a week. With my Townhouse property management focused on clearing snow, ice, freezing pipes and heating issues; as the 20' vertical wire secured to 2 - 10' sections of PVC and atta...
As many of you know, most of my portable operating is done via a bicycle. When I discovered the QRP Labs QCX Mini series it was like the heavens opened up for my QRP portable operating. For years I've used my Yaesu FT-817 for portable operating especially while doing my bike touring activities. The FT-817 provided multi-mode options but during my bike tours the unit and accessories took up a lot of space in my panniers. So the QCX Mini rigs are the perfect portable rigs for my CW and bike touring activities. I opted to order a 40 meter QCX Mini kit. The backlog for an assembled units was too long for my liking so why not put my ham radio skills to work and build this unit. I completed my unit in a couple of weeks without any major flaws. Made so minor adjustments for power output and I was off to the races. Those first few weeks of operating only wetted my appetite to purchase another unit. Just before ordering another kit, I came upon an operator wh...
If you look at the above photo, it may depict a lonely road. That is far from the truth. BEHOLD! I Am Not Alone. There Are Many Of Us. Its just another day in how I've done my portable ham radio activities for years. For various reasons I became Car-Free more than 10 years ago. Bicycle transportation is widely more prevalent in countries outside of the U.S. However, that doesn't negate some of the U.S. Amateur Radio operators who participate in Parks on the Air, Summit of the Air, World Wide Flora Fauna activities and others who provide VHf/UHF Public Service communications from using cycling to enjoy portable ham radio activities. For those Amateur Radio operators outside of the U.S. who use cycling in their portable operating, it seems to be second nature. I get replies to social media posts and comments about my Ham on a Bike activities. All the comments have been positive. A lot of inquisitive questions about rigs, antennas, keys, bat...
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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