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I learned something during my last activation, the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. I was set up in the little parking clearing at the trailhead, making contacts and enjoying the scenery. It was the last weekend of firearm deer season - I think; it's more complicated here than in Michigan - so I was wearing my hi-vis vest. This guy pulls up in a pickup, very friendly and interested in what I was doing. I couldn't help notice, though, that he was wearing a pistol and a bulletproof vest. He told me he is the landowner of the property adjoining the management area, and he was looking for some hunters running dogs on his land. I couldn't help him, not having seen or heard any dogs, and he went on his way. It got me thinking about what it must be like to live right next to a wildlife management or wilderness area. I get why he was ready for trouble. He probably runs into to trouble regularly, hunters who stray onto his land either accidentally, because they just don't care, or because they are looking for trouble. Some of them are probably drinking, which makes it worse. You would have to be prepared and be pretty tough to protect your property rights. I enjoy the parks, but I've decided I wouldn't want to live next to one. I've concluded that activating the less civilized parks should be done sort of like hiking in the woods; you make a lot of noise so you don't surprise a bear. For an activation, being conspicuously not a threat is a good idea. The hi-vis vest, a sign advertising what you are doing, and otherwise making your presence obvious. I'm curious what others think. (And for a laugh, watch "The 2nd Week of Deer Camp" by Da Yoopers. https://youtu.be/3Q57eWfaZmM) -- 73, Mike KQ9P

What's your favorite mapping resource? I have found that many counties now have their GIS systems online and publicly accessible, so you can find out exactly who - or at least what shell company - owns a particular parcel. I also really like caltopo.com. If you subscribe you get an amazing array of overlays that may not be essential, but are very cool. I have always loved looking at maps... -- 73, Mike KQ9P

23 January 2024 NCS: Mike KQ9P Topic: Antennas Checkins:KQ9P (NCS), KW4FM, W6ING, AC4BT, W3CX, K4HXM, K4CAB, K4CBJ, KQ4AWF, KQ4AVP, WA4MBS Repeaters linked: GCVARC Crozet, VA 16 January 2024 NCS: Jim KQ4AVP Topic: Things Activators Can Do To Help Hunters Checkins: KQ4AVP (NCS), KQ4JVP, AC4BT, W6ING, KQ9P, K4CAB, KF4RKT, KW4FM Repeaters linked: GCVARC Crozet, VA; N4MGQ Roanoke, VA; N4MGQ Elk Creek, VA; W4KZK Roanoke, VA 9 January 2024 NCS: Mike KQ9P Topic: POTA Goals for 2024 Checkins: KQ9P (NCS), AC4BT, W3CX, KW4FM, KQ4AWF, K4CBJ, KQ4AVP, W6ING, KQ4JVP, KM4YWY, K4HXM, W4MAF Repeaters linked: GCVARC Crozet, VA; N4MGQ Roanoke, VA; N4MGQ Elk Creek, VA; W4KZK Roanoke, VA 2 January 2024 (First session of the VA POTA Net!) NCS: Jim KQ4AVP Topic: Top Ten Hints for Activators Checkins: KQ4AVP (NCS), N0WP, W4MAF, KQ9P Repeaters linked: GCVARC

Lessee, I may be the most reluctant member of the "old timers club," previously mentioned. I am Chuck, K8HU, ex-WA4HHG and also used NMN, the callsign of the USCG COMMSTA in south Chesapeake (when appropriate). I was first licensed in 1974, Vern Fix, W4THN gave me my novice test and I got WN4HHG. Then, the limit one could hold a novice license was 2 years. A few months later, I went to the First VA Bank Building at Military Circle and was given my code test by Jerry Freeman, himself. Passed the General, 2 weeks later, passed the Advanced, passed the 2nd Class Radiotelephone, passed the Extra and am working on my GMDSS Operators ticket. I really enjoyed DX'ing and country counting. Got on the honor roll and am backing off a bit, the few countries I need will be socialized widely. Tried POTA when the League was doing it and was mildly interested. As POTA matured, it seemed to (and still is) spreading like wildfire and is similar to chasing DX! I've done some activations and a good bit of hunting. It's great to be able to reach an operating goal and receive an award to mark it without going through the whole QSL card flail. Goals are to travel to a few neighboring states and do some POTA'ing, finish my 1K from K-3976 and make a few more sojourns up the Eastern Shore.

On last week's inaugural net, Jim KQ4AVP shared his list of top ten tips for activators: https://www.potava.net/10-tips-for-new-activators/ What tips do you have from your experience as an activator? -- 73, Mike KQ9P

Very cool POTA stats widget you can embed on your QRZ page. https://wd4dan.net/pota/embed-howto.php -- 73, Mike KQ9P

I was first licensed in the early 70s, fell away from the hobby in college, then came back to it a little over a decade ago. My wife and I just downsized and moved to an apartment, so I'm reinventing myself as a portable operator. I've done three POTA activations and I'm hooked. My current kit is an Icom IC-705, Chameleon Lightweight End-Fed 80-10m, and a ToughBook. I activate and hunt using digital modes: FT8, JS8CALL, PSK32, etc. -- 73, Mike KQ9P

Hey Jim and Mike: Thanks for all of the effort getting the POTA VA AllStar node up and running as well as this 开云体育 page! I'd always be up for hearing POTA traffic on the AllStar node and hope it will eventually reach this status. Mike: I see your trustee of W4UVA. How many students maintain membership in the club (on average). '73 everyone... W4MAF - Mike