I'm getting my POTA go-bag and technique streamlined, so I decided to try for three parks in one day.
First up was the James River Wildlife Management Area, US-3991.? This turned out to be my favorite of the three.? There is a dirt boat ramp on the James at the end of the access road, with lots of people kayaking and tubing on this beautiful, warm morning.? There are no facilities - typical of WMAs - but there is a nice, big shady spot at one end of the parking area.? I set up the Wolf River TIA without the radials; there really wasn't room to spread them out with all the cars and people carrying kayaks.? Being next to the James, the water table isn't far beneath the surface and the TIA did fine without radials.? With all the car doors open there was a nice breeze.? I spent a pleasant hour getting my 10 FT8 contacts.? (When you are operating QRP with a compromise antenna, it can take a while.)
As an aside, I've developed a love-hate relationship with the Wolf River Take-It-Along vertical.? It is fast and easy to set up, and without the radials takes up very little space.? The low take-off angle results in more DX, which is interesting for POTA.? With more and more international POTA activators there are more chances for DX Park-to-Park contacts.? On the other hand, it's a stinker from an efficiency standpoint.? The best SWR I've ever managed so far is 2.0, but it's usually more like 2.5-3.0, and base-loaded verticals start off inefficient.? The Chameleon end-fed (CHA LEFS 8010) is a dream for operating, but needs space and takes time to set up.? Having both in the go-bag provides options, but I definitely prefer the EFHW.
Next up was James River State Park, US-1304, which I'm sure most of you have activated.? It is a beautiful park with fantastic views of the river.? I had a nice chat with the ranger at the gatehouse, who knew all about POTA and was very welcoming.? The hillside they call the "Amphitheater" and the adjacent picnic shelter were unoccupied, so I set up there.? It had gotten quite a lot hotter by then, but at least there was a shady picnic bench.? The TIA needed radials this time, but I made 15 contacts, many of them DX.
By then I really wanted some A/C and a comfy chair, but Lake Nelson State Fishing Lake, US-3780, was on the way home.? It's a really nice lake, with lots of families out fishing from the shore.? By then it was really hot, though, and there was no shady place where I wouldn't be in the way.? I sat in the oven of a car, got my 10 contacts in fairly short order, and got out of there.
Having tried this, I've decided that three parks in one day is too much like work, especially on a hot day.? I much prefer to find a shady spot, set up the good antenna, and spend a few hours on the air.? Much more relaxing.
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73, Mike KQ9P
Mike KQ9P