|
 Random files - Parks on the Air |
564 viewsPOTA - Johns Mtn WMA - 09-10-2021
|
|
529 viewsChickamauga Battlefield Park - 09-19-2020
|
|
602 viewsAllen KN4FKS headed over to Calhoun to activate New Echota State Historic site US-3722 and at the same time activate the 'Trail of Tears' US-3791.
He made 135 contacts, with 13 Park to Park contacts and 5 Canadians plus one Cayman Islander. 20 meters was hopping and contacts came quick and heavy. Had a nice chat with the park naturalist who was very familiar with Ham radio from her CERT experience in Paulding County GA.
ED KM6UTC made the trip to New Echota but as soon as he arrived got a call and had to leave. Bummer.
John KB4QXI was in West Virginia for an event and activated Coopers Rock State Forest US-5585 on Thursday as well. He made 26 contacts with one Canadian park to park three fer. (1 contact but three park numbers)
From Danny AG4DW
Having airport shuttle duties this Thursday morning, and a necessary trip to Dunlap, TN, to pick up a custom part I ordered, I decided to go a few miles further past Dunlap to Savage Gulf State Park, US-9718, in Grundy County. This is a new-to-me, gorgeous park with lots of trails, meadows and a large picnic area with massive wooden picnic tables. And the cicadas were deafening! 20 meter band conditions were not too bad and I got 9 SSB contacts, all park-to-parks, and 21 FT8 contacts in a little under two hours.
On the way home I took a little detour and stopped at another new-to-me park, North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park, US-11879, on Montlake Road, near Soddy-Daisy, TN. This was a very difficult park to activate as it was basically a large hole in the ground (I guess that's why they call it a gorge) and not only did signals not want to get out, they didn't want get in either. After about two hours I only had six contacts and was about to give up and chalk up my first missed activation. Then I got a 3-fer park, in South Dakota, with two operators and it saved my bacon! I had a total of 14 contacts, 9 SSB and 5 FT8, all domestic.
I tried to make contact with KN4FKS, Allen, at New Echota State Historic Site, and KB4QXI, John, at Coopers Rock State Forest, in West Virginia, but I couldn't hear either one of them. Even tried to get AD4FM, Fred, via groundwave on Signal Mountain, just a few miles away, but no joy.
Band conditions this week were 100% better than last week. New Echota had a noise floor of about S-5 and nearby highway traffic was at times loud and a few times old cars came by with a bad spark plug wire and you would certainly know it. If you head there to activate take headphones so you can hear over the traffic noise.
|
|
507 viewsPOTA - Crockford-Pigeon Mtn Wildlife Mgt Area - 4-1-2021, W4TDH
|
|
483 viewsWe activated Johns Mtn. WMA K-3758 today from the Johns Mtn. overlook. On his way up the gravel mountain road Tony looks into the woods and sees a large black bear ambling along. Tony had 15 contacts with 7 P2P. One park to park was in Canada and another was in Italy. The bands were open and he had 7 DX contacts: Cuba, Italy, Slovenia, Guadeloupe Czech Republic, and Canada. Ed
KM6UTC showed up, set up his magnetic loop and worked digital on 20 and 30 meters.
In the meantime an Army fellow (Special Forces) showed up and set up his military radio. He was operating in military frequencies just above our 20 meter band. He was also a ham but he just played on the mil frequencies.Â
The occasional hikers came by today They stopped and were all amazed by just how far away we were communicating with our simple little rig.Â
Allen Got on 10 meters. Contacts were W1AW/7 in Arizona and the second was RW1A in Russia. The total for the day was 28 contacts with 4 P2P and 5 DX, European Russia, two in Italy, Canada, Canary Islands and Australia! Yes I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard VK4NH come back to my CQ. That was a first for our POTA contacts distance wise.Â
|
|
613 viewsCloudland Canyon 11-05-2020
|
|
533 views
|
|
537 viewsPOTA - Pigeon Mtn Wildlife Mgt Area - 4-8-2021, W4TDH
|
|
 Last additions - Parks on the Air |
5 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
|
|
5 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
|
|
7 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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
