#Field Work #FT8 #Portable #POTA

Field Operation Log - 08-Oct-2022


It was a Saturday morning and a great time for an activation out at my favorite spot: Cuyahoga Valley National Park - K-0020. Yes, yet again, my wife and I got on our bikes and rode out to the park for a little bit of radio. The wind was high and the world was telling us that autumn is here. I was glad to have my new shell to keep the wind out despite it making me look like a raspberry ogre.

I went with the end-fed again on the mast held up by my bike. And it performed swimmingly. 40m was in a great place and I knocked out my 15 contacts in short order on FT8.

Bike covered with wind shell supporting a mast with computer, radio, notebook, and other gear on a picnic table.
Bike covered with wind shell supporting a mast with computer, radio, notebook, and other gear on a picnic table.

Quick side note: see that weird silver pad on the seat of the picnic table? I carry that around in my pannier just in case seats are wet or hard to come by. Since we started using those when backpacking, I don't really go to an outdoor event without one. They're a great way to keep your butt dry and make for a much more comfortable seat. Bonus! You can make one with an old sleeping pad.

We were in a bit of a hurry because of the high winds and things we needed to do, so it was a quick activation. Here's what it looked like.

QSO Map of my activation of K-0020 on 08-Oct-2022 - Map by qsomap.org
QSO Map of my activation of K-0020 on 08-Oct-2022 - Map by qsomap.org