September 25, 2019

Radio clubs in the park

Once again the St. Pete, Clearwater and Upper Pinellas radio clubs joined forces for a radio clubs in the park event. We met up at Eagle Lake park in Largo, FL. This is a nice county park so it doesn’t count for Parks on the Air but it was still a fun event. Unlike Field Day where we setup specific antennas and radios to compete in the contest, everyone was encouraged to bring their own equipment to this event. I setup my 40ft Spiderbeam mast with a wire dipole antenna. Other people brought end fed antennas, ham sticks and a dual Wolf River coil. Band conditions have been really bad…

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written by AA0O - Posted in Club, Parks on the Air

September 4, 2019

POTA K-1219 Golden Gate Canyon State Park

I’m not loving the KX2 and Wolf River Coil combination. I’m able to make contacts but it’s hard. I bought it specifically for travel. I think I need to look more seriously into the loop antennas. The coil puzzles the TSA x-ray guys so about half the time I get my bag pulled for additional questioning. I tell them it’s a ham radio antenna and then they look at it funny and send me on my way. After 3 failed activation attempts I was able to get a successful activation, getting 11 contacts in 2 hours at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado. The views are amazing here. I…

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written by AA0O - Posted in Parks on the Air

September 2, 2019

WWV Fort Collins

I was in Colorado on vacation so I drove past the WWV site outside Fort Collins to check out the antennas. Wikipedia has more info about it. You can’t get very close because it’s a secure facility but I got some shots from the fence:

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written by AA0O - Posted in Antennas