SKCC 5123T----- FISTS 14979----- Flying Pigs 2331----- NAQCC 3610-----QRP ARCI 14176-----Polar Bear 257

Sunday, February 27, 2011

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Florida POTA Activation

ham-stick dipole up 20 feet
 I was able to activate a park for Parks On The Air (POTA). The St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located near Port St. Joe in North West Florida. With the temps approaching 70 degrees and lots of sunshine it could not have been a better day. I started out with my ham-stick dipole for 40 meters and the Sierra which puts out 2 watts on that band. I worked K4AHO Jim in Orlando. I did not have any more luck on 40 meters so I switched to 20 meters with my SST at 3 watts and changed the ham-sticks to 20 meters. It was a tough go a first because There was a DX contest dominating the frequency range of my SST. I did manage too sneak in a contact with DL8UKE. Then things picked up working the FISTS K6JSS/2 station. This was followed by KB3AAG Frank in Delphene, PA and W5HNS, Henry.

Of course the other visitors at the park were interested in the setup at least two thought I was tracking tagged fish. The mast with the ham-stick dipole makes a good combination for this type of ops since it stays within the foot print of the truck.


Wilderness Sierra on my lap shack


Pelican sunning at the park.