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260 viewsThis Thursday Dec 4 2025 we activated Summerville Fish Hatchery US-12771. This site was recently added by the POTA folks and is a difficult one to activate. First the signs are small and faded, two the paved public parking lot is small and there are overhead power lines everywhere. LOOK UP BEFORE YOU SET UP ! There is one small grassy area adjacent to the parking lot. On the good side the hatchery staff is friendly, knows about POTA and welcomes Ham visitors.
Allen KN4FKS set up a 17 ft vertical in the grassy area and made 63 SSB contacts 5 on 12 meters, 7 on 10 meters, and the rest on 20 meters. He had 13 Park to Park contacts, with DX to Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands.
Danny AG4DW set up his Pota Performer vertical on the other end of the small grassy spot and made 73 contacts, 37 on SSB and 36 FT8 on 40,20 and 17 meters. He had DX to Canada (2) France (2) and Spain (2).
John KB4QXI got there late as usual and set up next to the dumpster with his ham stick on top of the car. He had 56 SSB contacts on 20 meters with 15 P2P contacts with three P2P's with Canadian parks.
Dan K2DTS set up across the parking lot with his 17 ft whip mounted on the car. He had 24 contacts 7 SSB and 17 FT8 on 20, 17, and 15 meters. He had DX to Canada, Italy, Belgium, France, Ecuador, and the Canary Islands.
Apologies to Danny as I completely forgot to take his photo when I had the camera out even though I had him take my photo. Maybe next time.
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260 viewsIt was cold outside, but we were warm and toasty inside. This Thursday Jan.15 2026 we activated the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area US-3742 from the check station site on Rocky Lane. It sure is nice to have friends in high places that let us use the check station to do POTA. However setting up antennas was a bit frosty in the 23 degree F air with a 20 Mph wind.
Allen KN4FKS set his end fed half wave wire in a nearby tree and Danny AG4DW set his Pota Performer elevated radial vertical in the side yard. We used some foam pipe insulation pieces to block the wind where we pulled the coax through the slightly open windows. It kept the heat in and the cold wind out.
Allen started on 40 meters and was busy from the start. Later he went to 20 meters and was also busy For the day he had 76 contacts with 15 Park to Park contacts and no DX.
Danny started on 20 meters and made 1 SSB contact then switched to FT8 He made 69 more contacts. He worked digital on 20, 15, and 10 meters. He had 24 DX contacts from all over Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.
We had a few visitors curious about what we were doing so we explained Ham radio and POTA then answered their questions about the area. We always take time away from pileups to meet visitors. Part of the job as POTA ambassadors.
Fun day, great peanut butter and jelly, stayed warm and had great company for the day.
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258 viewsWe activated Berry College WMA US-3734 this Thursday Nov. 20, The grassy camping area was open and allowed us plenty of room to set up. The morning fog finally lifted and it turned into a wonderful day. The space weather cooperated as well with good band conditions from 40 to 10.
Allen KN4FKS made a total of 88 SSB contacts, 66 on 20 meters, 18 on 17 meters, and 5 on 12 meters with 27 Park to Park contacts. Just 2 DX to France and Bermuda.
John KB4QXI made 35 SSB contacts on 40 meters with 4 P2P and no DX.
Felton AF4DN joined us for the day and made 49 FT8 contacts, 10 on 10 meters, 9 on 17 meters, and 30 on 20 meters with 2 P2P contacts. He had DX to Germany, Poland, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Columbia, and the Balearic Islands. On the way home he stopped at Arrowhead WMA US-7897 to activate there as a new park for him. He made 22 FT8 contacts there.
Danny AG4DW was "challenged" for the day and decided to stop at Sloppy Floyd State Park US-2187 to be "close to a bathroom" In spite of that issue he had a successful day making a total of 212 Contacts, 61 FT8 and 151 SSB. Wow! On Tuesday Danny also activated Sloppy Floyd SP making 102 SSB contacts that day. I think he must be closing in on a KILO award for that park.
This coming week is Thanksgiving so our normal Thursday activation is on hold. I think if we played radio all that day there would be several new SK's. So see you in December.
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