A New State (Commonwealth)
I was first licensed as KC3JXQ and the 3 gives it away. I lived in Pennsylvania, but that was before I got into POTA and started getting out and activating. It didn’t become a thing for me until 2020 when my family and I moved to Ohio. So it was that I still had a blank spot on PA as an activator. Wild, but true.
At some point in the spring, my son and I decided that we would go do some camping while the other members of our household were at Scout Camp. The idea took root and we each invited a friend. The final roster was four dudes (two old and two young) and a couple of dogs (one old and one young). The camper was still in good working order from our Michigan trip, so we fired it up and dragged it out in an easterly direction to Blue Knob State Park US-1335.
Blue Knob
The park is on the same grounds as a ski resort. The camping loop we were staying in was at 2400 ft. above sea level and that had a powerful impact on the temperature and the bugs. There were plenty of flies and gnats, but the mosquito count was nice and low. The temperatures were also hitting a high of about 80dF and night time got down to 60dF or so. Great sleeping weather and few bug bites. This is how I like to camp!
Sleeping
As a side note, we have two beds in the camper. My good buddy Michael took the dinette bed and I stayed on the main bed because that’s where the dogs sleep and I didn’t feel like throwing him to the almost wolves. There is no one who hogs a bed quite like a 90 pound Rottweiler. She tries to take my pillow and insists on being pressed up against me but growls if I move my arm the wrong way. This is a picky and entitled creature.
Honestly though? I sleep really well knowing she’s Right There – even if she does alert me to every chipmunk and rabbit that moves in the night.
As for Nacho the Radio Beagle, well, he’s a professional sleeper. He gets in his little groove and is out like a light for 18 hours at a stretch. He knows the good life when he sees it. And for him the good life is a mattress, a blanket, and being under some kind of roof.
Activities
I took along my fat bike but it didn’t see any use. It was too nice to hang around camp and chat with my buddy. The younger gentlemen took to the trails and the pool and cycled up hills and down like madmen as they should. That left the older gentlemen holding down the fort with dogs, books to read, some snacks and…well…my trusty IC-705!
Naturally, I got on the air twice and bagged activations. One of the best things about camping with like-minded gentlemen is that there is no need to explain my radio. Though I did enjoy one of the young men constantly saying “It just feels so good to unplug” every time I started keying up for an activation. Yes, bro. Hurling 19th century robot speak into the ether does indeed make me a screenager.
Anywho, I did a CW only activation on the second day there. After that I did a split FT8 and CW activation. There was no one around to annoy with my beeps and boops so I cranked up the volume and let the CW fly. Conditions were good and I was really getting out.
Gear
I had the IC-705 and the TR-45L with me. I only got out the 705 because I was pretty darned lazy. Moving from the picnic table to the trunk of the car seemed like a lot of work In the moment and I had a nice cold bottle of water, so I stuck to the 705. No complaints there.
Once again, I took the MP1 SuperAntenna because I like resonance. With it set up on its tripod and off to the side of the picnic table, it was well-positioned. I did mention to everyone that they needed to stay about 6 or so inches away given that I was working with up to 5 watts of screaming power. They all obliged except Bella (the obstinate Rottie). For whatever reason, she really wanted to plant herself next to the antenna which wasn’t even in the shade. Weird dog.
I brought along my Begali Traveller paddles. That was to pair with the TR-45L in the event that I felt like doing one of my famous Lifestyle Activations. It didn’t shake out that way, but wow do I love those paddles. They’re just amazing.
QSO Maps
Conditions were really good. I didn’t have to wait for very long to bag a pile of contacts on both days. It was nice to settle into a groove and log away. The QSO Maps definitely show that I was getting out.
Final
I didn’t take many pictures at all as it wasn’t that kind of trip. We were all very much In The Moment and enjoying our time together and in the outdoors. It was a blast and my son and I agree we should make it an annual event.
