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 Random files - Parks on the Air |
578 viewsToday we activated the Otting Wildlife Management Area US-7913 down on the south end of Lookout Mountain. This 700 acre site is not often activated and usually then only by folks trying to activate as many GA parks as possible. They make 12-15 contacts then move on to the next park on their list. Today between the three of us we made 177 contacts. That's the most from anyone since we were last there in February last year.
For today Danny AG4DW made 56 contacts on 10 bands (Yes ten bands) he also made 18 Park to Park contacts which gives him his 'KILO' for P2P contacts. 23 of his contacts were DX today with 33 from the US. Allen KN4FKS made 60 contacts mostly on 20 meters SSB with 21 P2P and four Canadian contacts. John KB4QXI stayed on 40 meters and made 61 contacts with 3 P2p contacts.
Danny helped out some rock climber folks who had somehow wound up at the wrong WMA on GA Hwy 157. He set them straight and on their way to the Zahnd WMA further north on 157. Zahnd is a popular rock climbing site.
The cool thing about the OTTING WMA is some unique ancient artwork. In a rock outcrop on the area are several areas with faint but recognizable petroglyphs created by early native Americans about 1000 years ago. Before the Cherokee, Before the Creeks, before the Coosa. I have attached a photo of one scorpion drawing found here. There is also a video which shows many of the petroglyphs. link here,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-n0rR6fy0
It is amazing the treasures that abound in these "parks" we visit and play radio in.
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459 viewsPOTA - Crockford-Pigeon Mtn Wildlife Mgt Area - 4-1-2021
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74 viewsThis Friday March 6 we activated Cloudland Canyon State Park US-2169 from the Ascalon Trailhead.
Danny AG4DW set up his 'POTA Performer vertical and made a total of 121 contacts. 83 were SSB on 40-15-20 meters. He then made 38 FT8 contacts on 15 meters. DX was hopping as there is a DX contest this weekend. He made contacts in Bermuda, Brazil, Canada (4) Canary Islands, England, Germany (2) France (2) Spain (2) Switzerland, Venezuela.
Allen KN4FKS set up his end fed half wave wire antenna rigged as a sloper. He made 108 SSB contacts, 39 were Park to Park contacts. 100 on 20 meters, 8 on 10 meters. Ten was open long and he made DX contacts to Hawaii, Spain, Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico.
John KB4QXI came late and set up his ham stick and made one P2P contact and his 891 radio had a crazy menu fit and refused to work any further. Tony WA4TW knows the fix and will assist John in solving the issue.
On Thursday Dan K2DTS activated the Chickamauga Battlefield US-0716 on 20 meters and made 74 contacts in quick order, 21 were hunted P2P contacts then 42 set and call 'CQ POTA' he then capped it off with 11 FT8 contacts.
On Tuesday Allen KN4FKS ran over to Pigeon Mountain US-3742 and made a quick 140 SSB contacts in two hours on 20 meters using the 25 ft. vertical and the Faraday cloth radials. He had 20 Park to Park contacts and the only DX was two contacts in Canada. This days effort sent Allen's total number of POTA activation contacts to over 15,000. Time flies when you are having fun.
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584 viewsPOTA, Johns Mountain Overlook 4-30-2020
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463 viewsYesterday Thursday Jan. 23 we activated Crockford-Pigeon Mtn. WMA US-3742 from the check station on Rocky Lane. It was warm inside but getting the antennas up was COLD !
Danny AG4DW set his rig up on the dining area table and Allen set his rig up in the front entry room. The coax was passed through a window and a piece of foam pipe insulation was used to keep the cold out and prevent damage to the wire.
With room for only two operating positions inside Ed KM6UTC opted to use his back seat shack to operate on 15 meters. He made 64 FT8 contacts with 22 being DX into Europe. Inside Tony WA4TW used Allen's rig and quickly made 44 contacts in 30 minutes on 20 meters with 3 P2P and 2 DX to Canada.. Allen handled the logging and helped grab callsigns out of the nonstop pileup.
After a bathroom break Allen KN4FKS got on 20 meters and again quickly made 48 contacts in 32 minutes. He had 4 P2P and 1 DX to Canada. Tony handled the logging which helped maintain the fast pace contacts. Later John KB4QXI got on the 20 meter rig and made 48 contacts with 5 P2P and 2 DX to Canada. Dan K2DTS fired up the 20 meter rig later and made ??? contacts. So after 4 successful activations of over 140 contacts the 100 watt radio had used less than 10 amp hours from the battery.
In the other room Danny AG4DW set up his station and operated on 10 meters. he made 35 total contacts with 17 SSB and 18 FT8. 22 contacts were DX with contacts made to Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Canary Islands, Maderia Island, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Puerto Rico, and Spain.
Just think in about six years we'll remember how 10 meters was super hot and even open for dx after 10 pm local. Now we are in the good times so get on 10 meters and talk to the world.
Matt AF4MH got on Danny's 10 meter rig and using SSB made 15 contracts with 2 P2P and 7 DX to Canada, Brazil, England, Chile, Spain, Argentina, and Puerto Rico.
At lunch we were joined by four of the DNR wildlife folks who were our host and also wanted to enjoy a warm place to have lunch. Thanks for letting us "play radio" in the check station. Another fun day of activating POTA!
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6 viewsIt's been a busy week for POTA. This Thursday March 12 we activated a triple park location. The three parks were: Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area US-3971, Prentice Cooper State Forest US-5499 and Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park US-2955. Luckily the rain had quit but it was in the mid thirties with a strong wind so everyone elected to set up inside their vehicles.
Allen KN4FKS put up his end fed wire sloper and made 88 SSB contacts, 58 on 20 meters and 30 on 40 meters. He had 14 Park to Park contacts and DX to Dominican Republic and Canada.
Danny AG4DW set up his POTA Performer vertical and made a total of 74 QSO's, He had 46 SSB contacts on 40 meters then 28 digital FT8 contacts on 40,17, and 15 meters. He had DX to Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, and Norway.
Ed KM6UTC used his ATAS mobile antenna and made 49 contacts, he had DX contacts to Brazil, Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, France and Canada.
Also this week there were several other activations.
Peter KX4BE activated Palm Bluff Conservation Area in Florida US-8366 and made 43 CW contacts on 20 and 15 meters with 12 DX contacts. He said it was 88 degrees there on Wednesday.
Ed KM6UTC activated Moccasin Bend area On Friday March 6 with 44 QSO's with 3 DX contacts on 20 meters.
On Monday Tony WA4TW along with Danny AG4DW activated Pigeon Mountain US-3742 from the Estelle Mine Road site.
Tony used his 17 ft. vertical and made 34 SSB contacts on 20 meters with Allen KN4FKS logging for him. He had 10 P2P contacts and DX to Curacao and Canada.
Danny AG4DW made 53 Contacts, 26 SSB and 27 FT8 on 40 and 15 meters. He grabbed an opening on 15 meters and worked DX to Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Jersey (a rare one) Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain.
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560 views2023-05-03 - For POTA this week we activated Johns Mtn. WMA K-3758 today from the Johns Mountain Overlook site. This spot is off Pocket Road in Vilanow, 2 miles up a gravel forest service road to the parking lot with an amazing view to the West. On a clear day you can see into Alabama and Tennessee from there.
Getting set up first involves throwing a line into a nearby tree to hoist one end of a simple end fed Half Wave antenna. Then set up the portable station, today it was my old ICOM IC-706 MkII G with a MFJ tuner running off a 15 Amp hour Goal Zero battery. For log keeping I use a really cheap Walmart computer running N3FJP software. Today Tony WA4TW ran the log and I did the calling. The goal today was to get 57 contacts to get my POTA KILO award for making 1,000 contacts from a single park.
I got 66 contacts so the Kilo was made! After a long lunch sitting in the sun Tony got on the air and made a quick 12 contacts with 9 Park to Park contacts. John KB4QXI showed up late and used his Hamstick antenna on top of the car to get his activation in. It was a windy day at the overlook and band noise was rough on 20 meters but everything worked out for a fun day.
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566 viewsPOTA - Chief Vann House State Historical Site - 10-01-2021
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 Last additions - Parks on the Air |
6 viewsIt's been a busy POTA week. On Wednesday March 25 two separate sites were activated.
Allen KN4FKS and John KB4QXI activated Pigeon Mountain WMA US-3742 from the Sawmill Lake site where they started doing POTA activations SIX years ago. A fun anniversary date but it was also Allen's 300th POTA activation. Allen made 40 SSB contacts, 10 on 20 meters, 11 on 15 meters and 19 on 40 meters with 19 P2P contacts. He had DX to Alaska, Honduras, and Belgium. John had 29 SSB contacts on 20 meters 20 P2P contacts with 2 contacts in Canada.
Danny AG4DW and Dan K2DTS journeyed up a steep mountain road to the Mill Creek Overlook to activate the Cohutta WMA US-7446. Tough to get to but an amazing view toward the West. Danny made 52 contacts with 9 SSB contacts on 40 meter SSB, with 5 P2P contacts to include Park to Parks with the crew on Pigeon Mountain. He moved to 20 meters and made 24 SSB contacts with 11 more P2P contacts. Switching to FT* mode he mad 14 FT8 contacts with two Canadians being the only DX. Dan was also on the air at Cohutta but I don't know his totals.
Ed KM6UTC didn't read the email correctly and showed up at the Sawmill Lake site on Pigeon Mountain on the usual Thursday missing the anniversary activation the day before. The day was most eventful for him. First the GA DNR folks were conducting two very large controlled burns and Ed drove through the smoke to get to the site. Then the DNR helicopter arrived to assist with the burn and landed in the same field where Ed was set up. Then just to add to the fun across the road a timber harvesting operation cranked up for the day with several pieces of heavy equipment and log hauling trucks. The burn went well and according to plan the smoke lifted well so Chattanooga didn't get a thousand acres of smoke. Ed made 31 FT8 contacts on 20 meters with 3 DX , Spain, Canada and the Dominican Republic. Apr 01, 2026
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6 viewsIt's been a busy POTA week. On Wednesday March 25 two separate sites were activated.
Allen KN4FKS and John KB4QXI activated Pigeon Mountain WMA US-3742 from the Sawmill Lake site where they started doing POTA activations SIX years ago. A fun anniversary date but it was also Allen's 300th POTA activation. Allen made 40 SSB contacts, 10 on 20 meters, 11 on 15 meters and 19 on 40 meters with 19 P2P contacts. He had DX to Alaska, Honduras, and Belgium. John had 29 SSB contacts on 20 meters 20 P2P contacts with 2 contacts in Canada.
Danny AG4DW and Dan K2DTS journeyed up a steep mountain road to the Mill Creek Overlook to activate the Cohutta WMA US-7446. Tough to get to but an amazing view toward the West. Danny made 52 contacts with 9 SSB contacts on 40 meter SSB, with 5 P2P contacts to include Park to Parks with the crew on Pigeon Mountain. He moved to 20 meters and made 24 SSB contacts with 11 more P2P contacts. Switching to FT* mode he mad 14 FT8 contacts with two Canadians being the only DX. Dan was also on the air at Cohutta but I don't know his totals.
Ed KM6UTC didn't read the email correctly and showed up at the Sawmill Lake site on Pigeon Mountain on the usual Thursday missing the anniversary activation the day before. The day was most eventful for him. First the GA DNR folks were conducting two very large controlled burns and Ed drove through the smoke to get to the site. Then the DNR helicopter arrived to assist with the burn and landed in the same field where Ed was set up. Then just to add to the fun across the road a timber harvesting operation cranked up for the day with several pieces of heavy equipment and log hauling trucks. The burn went well and according to plan the smoke lifted well so Chattanooga didn't get a thousand acres of smoke. Ed made 31 FT8 contacts on 20 meters with 3 DX , Spain, Canada and the Dominican Republic. Apr 01, 2026
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8 viewsThursday March 19 was a busy day for POTA. Allen KN4FKS, John KB4QXI and a friend Dean KK4EB activated the Otting WMA US-7913. Also on Thursday Ed KM6UTC activated the Chickamauga Battlefield US-0716 from the Cravens House site with Dan K2DTS assisting. Danny AG4DW was a bit further afield as he activated Monte Santo State Park US-1048 in Huntsville Alabama.
Allen KN4FKS made 45 SSB contacts with 32 on 20 meters and 13 on 15 meters. He had 10 Park to Park contacts with three of those being DX parks. For DX 15 was open and he made 3 contacts in England, Italy, Canada, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Ireland.
John made 73 SSB contacts on 20 meters using his roof mounted Hamstick. He had 33 Park to Park contact two of which were Canadian Parks. He had 32 additional DX contacts Puerto Rico and Canada.
Dean KK4EB made 27 contacts with 16 FT8 contacts on 40 meters, 2 SSB P2P contacts on 40 meters. He then went to 10 meters and called CQ for over an hour for 10 SSB contacts there.
Danny AG4DW at Huntsville made 48 SSB contacts on 20 meters with 7 DX contacts to Canada (2) Canary Islands (2), Germany, and Spain, He used his Yaesu FT-710 and his Pota Performer Vertical with elevated radials.
Ed KM6UTC at the Cravens House made 34 contacts with 12 DX to Canada, France, Germany, Slovenia, England, and the Netherlands.
As a side note when Allen turned on his radio he heard a Ham in Florida calling CQ so he answered him. in the QSO I related that I was operating portable from a POTA Park this evolved into a discussion on how to get started activating for POTA. He had all the equipment but was unsure about logging, the POTA rules, and such. I explained that logging could actually be done on paper then typed directly into the POTA web site or you could use any number of software applications at home to prepare the data to send. I also suggested that the way to start easy is to go to a park , set up and hunt Park To Park contacts. Less stress and you get your feet wet slowly. As for POTA rules there are very few. One you have to be licensed, two you have to be on the POTA listed park, Three no repeaters allowed, Four you need to submit your logs. Simple enough. For a successful activation you need 10 contacts any mode, any band, any legal power. There is no 'official' exchange required. Just make the contact, have fun playing radio in the park.Mar 22, 2026
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3 viewsThursday March 19 was a busy day for POTA. Allen KN4FKS, John KB4QXI and a friend Dean KK4EB activated the Otting WMA US-7913. Also on Thursday Ed KM6UTC activated the Chickamauga Battlefield US-0716 from the Cravens House site with Dan K2DTS assisting. Danny AG4DW was a bit further afield as he activated Monte Santo State Park US-1048 in Huntsville Alabama.
Allen KN4FKS made 45 SSB contacts with 32 on 20 meters and 13 on 15 meters. He had 10 Park to Park contacts with three of those being DX parks. For DX 15 was open and he made 3 contacts in England, Italy, Canada, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Ireland.
John made 73 SSB contacts on 20 meters using his roof mounted Hamstick. He had 33 Park to Park contact two of which were Canadian Parks. He had 32 additional DX contacts Puerto Rico and Canada.
Dean KK4EB made 27 contacts with 16 FT8 contacts on 40 meters, 2 SSB P2P contacts on 40 meters. He then went to 10 meters and called CQ for over an hour for 10 SSB contacts there.
Danny AG4DW at Huntsville made 48 SSB contacts on 20 meters with 7 DX contacts to Canada (2) Canary Islands (2), Germany, and Spain, He used his Yaesu FT-710 and his Pota Performer Vertical with elevated radials.
Ed KM6UTC at the Cravens House made 34 contacts with 12 DX to Canada, France, Germany, Slovenia, England, and the Netherlands.
As a side note when Allen turned on his radio he heard a Ham in Florida calling CQ so he answered him. in the QSO I related that I was operating portable from a POTA Park this evolved into a discussion on how to get started activating for POTA. He had all the equipment but was unsure about logging, the POTA rules, and such. I explained that logging could actually be done on paper then typed directly into the POTA web site or you could use any number of software applications at home to prepare the data to send. I also suggested that the way to start easy is to go to a park , set up and hunt Park To Park contacts. Less stress and you get your feet wet slowly. As for POTA rules there are very few. One you have to be licensed, two you have to be on the POTA listed park, Three no repeaters allowed, Four you need to submit your logs. Simple enough. For a successful activation you need 10 contacts any mode, any band, any legal power. There is no 'official' exchange required. Just make the contact, have fun playing radio in the park.Mar 22, 2026
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6 viewsThursday March 19 was a busy day for POTA. Allen KN4FKS, John KB4QXI and a friend Dean KK4EB activated the Otting WMA US-7913. Also on Thursday Ed KM6UTC activated the Chickamauga Battlefield US-0716 from the Cravens House site with Dan K2DTS assisting. Danny AG4DW was a bit further afield as he activated Monte Santo State Park US-1048 in Huntsville Alabama.
Allen KN4FKS made 45 SSB contacts with 32 on 20 meters and 13 on 15 meters. He had 10 Park to Park contacts with three of those being DX parks. For DX 15 was open and he made 3 contacts in England, Italy, Canada, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Ireland.
John made 73 SSB contacts on 20 meters using his roof mounted Hamstick. He had 33 Park to Park contact two of which were Canadian Parks. He had 32 additional DX contacts Puerto Rico and Canada.
Dean KK4EB made 27 contacts with 16 FT8 contacts on 40 meters, 2 SSB P2P contacts on 40 meters. He then went to 10 meters and called CQ for over an hour for 10 SSB contacts there.
Danny AG4DW at Huntsville made 48 SSB contacts on 20 meters with 7 DX contacts to Canada (2) Canary Islands (2), Germany, and Spain, He used his Yaesu FT-710 and his Pota Performer Vertical with elevated radials.
Ed KM6UTC at the Cravens House made 34 contacts with 12 DX to Canada, France, Germany, Slovenia, England, and the Netherlands.
As a side note when Allen turned on his radio he heard a Ham in Florida calling CQ so he answered him. in the QSO I related that I was operating portable from a POTA Park this evolved into a discussion on how to get started activating for POTA. He had all the equipment but was unsure about logging, the POTA rules, and such. I explained that logging could actually be done on paper then typed directly into the POTA web site or you could use any number of software applications at home to prepare the data to send. I also suggested that the way to start easy is to go to a park , set up and hunt Park To Park contacts. Less stress and you get your feet wet slowly. As for POTA rules there are very few. One you have to be licensed, two you have to be on the POTA listed park, Three no repeaters allowed, Four you need to submit your logs. Simple enough. For a successful activation you need 10 contacts any mode, any band, any legal power. There is no 'official' exchange required. Just make the contact, have fun playing radio in the park.Mar 22, 2026
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5 viewsIt's been a busy week for POTA. This Thursday March 12 we activated a triple park location. The three parks were: Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area US-3971, Prentice Cooper State Forest US-5499 and Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park US-2955. Luckily the rain had quit but it was in the mid thirties with a strong wind so everyone elected to set up inside their vehicles.
Allen KN4FKS put up his end fed wire sloper and made 88 SSB contacts, 58 on 20 meters and 30 on 40 meters. He had 14 Park to Park contacts and DX to Dominican Republic and Canada.
Danny AG4DW set up his POTA Performer vertical and made a total of 74 QSO's, He had 46 SSB contacts on 40 meters then 28 digital FT8 contacts on 40,17, and 15 meters. He had DX to Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, and Norway.
Ed KM6UTC used his ATAS mobile antenna and made 49 contacts, he had DX contacts to Brazil, Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, France and Canada.
Also this week there were several other activations.
Peter KX4BE activated Palm Bluff Conservation Area in Florida US-8366 and made 43 CW contacts on 20 and 15 meters with 12 DX contacts. He said it was 88 degrees there on Wednesday.
Ed KM6UTC activated Moccasin Bend area On Friday March 6 with 44 QSO's with 3 DX contacts on 20 meters.
On Monday Tony WA4TW along with Danny AG4DW activated Pigeon Mountain US-3742 from the Estelle Mine Road site.
Tony used his 17 ft. vertical and made 34 SSB contacts on 20 meters with Allen KN4FKS logging for him. He had 10 P2P contacts and DX to Curacao and Canada.
Danny AG4DW made 53 Contacts, 26 SSB and 27 FT8 on 40 and 15 meters. He grabbed an opening on 15 meters and worked DX to Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Jersey (a rare one) Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain. Mar 15, 2026
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4 viewsIt's been a busy week for POTA. This Thursday March 12 we activated a triple park location. The three parks were: Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area US-3971, Prentice Cooper State Forest US-5499 and Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park US-2955. Luckily the rain had quit but it was in the mid thirties with a strong wind so everyone elected to set up inside their vehicles.
Allen KN4FKS put up his end fed wire sloper and made 88 SSB contacts, 58 on 20 meters and 30 on 40 meters. He had 14 Park to Park contacts and DX to Dominican Republic and Canada.
Danny AG4DW set up his POTA Performer vertical and made a total of 74 QSO's, He had 46 SSB contacts on 40 meters then 28 digital FT8 contacts on 40,17, and 15 meters. He had DX to Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, and Norway.
Ed KM6UTC used his ATAS mobile antenna and made 49 contacts, he had DX contacts to Brazil, Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, France and Canada.
Also this week there were several other activations.
Peter KX4BE activated Palm Bluff Conservation Area in Florida US-8366 and made 43 CW contacts on 20 and 15 meters with 12 DX contacts. He said it was 88 degrees there on Wednesday.
Ed KM6UTC activated Moccasin Bend area On Friday March 6 with 44 QSO's with 3 DX contacts on 20 meters.
On Monday Tony WA4TW along with Danny AG4DW activated Pigeon Mountain US-3742 from the Estelle Mine Road site.
Tony used his 17 ft. vertical and made 34 SSB contacts on 20 meters with Allen KN4FKS logging for him. He had 10 P2P contacts and DX to Curacao and Canada.
Danny AG4DW made 53 Contacts, 26 SSB and 27 FT8 on 40 and 15 meters. He grabbed an opening on 15 meters and worked DX to Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Jersey (a rare one) Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain. Mar 15, 2026
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6 viewsIt's been a busy week for POTA. This Thursday March 12 we activated a triple park location. The three parks were: Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area US-3971, Prentice Cooper State Forest US-5499 and Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park US-2955. Luckily the rain had quit but it was in the mid thirties with a strong wind so everyone elected to set up inside their vehicles.
Allen KN4FKS put up his end fed wire sloper and made 88 SSB contacts, 58 on 20 meters and 30 on 40 meters. He had 14 Park to Park contacts and DX to Dominican Republic and Canada.
Danny AG4DW set up his POTA Performer vertical and made a total of 74 QSO's, He had 46 SSB contacts on 40 meters then 28 digital FT8 contacts on 40,17, and 15 meters. He had DX to Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, and Norway.
Ed KM6UTC used his ATAS mobile antenna and made 49 contacts, he had DX contacts to Brazil, Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, France and Canada.
Also this week there were several other activations.
Peter KX4BE activated Palm Bluff Conservation Area in Florida US-8366 and made 43 CW contacts on 20 and 15 meters with 12 DX contacts. He said it was 88 degrees there on Wednesday.
Ed KM6UTC activated Moccasin Bend area On Friday March 6 with 44 QSO's with 3 DX contacts on 20 meters.
On Monday Tony WA4TW along with Danny AG4DW activated Pigeon Mountain US-3742 from the Estelle Mine Road site.
Tony used his 17 ft. vertical and made 34 SSB contacts on 20 meters with Allen KN4FKS logging for him. He had 10 P2P contacts and DX to Curacao and Canada.
Danny AG4DW made 53 Contacts, 26 SSB and 27 FT8 on 40 and 15 meters. He grabbed an opening on 15 meters and worked DX to Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Jersey (a rare one) Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain. Mar 15, 2026
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