Linda, Suzy, and I made a camping trip from late September into October; FDR State Park, GA, Unicoi State Park, GA, and Cheaha State Park, AL. On our way to FDR State Park from Dothan, AL we had our first blowout on a trailer tire. This was disappointing since I replaced all the tires with Goodyears recently. The good news was we were safely back on the road in a couple of hours.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm6GN6rjRxWbp4uQE3STC1KnFt8KpE7Ia29U84Czeiga9abpXH5USDdRcNTnnhFap60OWp4mrcL6yD7tyWHMHXnuzedKRzxcP9Set8PaHe3hARwkNdvlDhUTFbMhvKrufudtfkfj319c/s320/20210930_104936.jpg) |
Dowdell's Knob SOTA Summit |
At FDR state park, I did a POTA activation with seventy-seven contacts. I also did a SOTA activation from nearby Dowdell's Knob WG4/CE-004. It is an easy drive-up summit. I had good success with the Icom IC-705 and the Alexloop. I was running five watts because I set five watts as the max and forgot how to raise it to ten watts. Even at five watts, I got contacts on 40, 30, 20, 17, and 15 meters for a total of twenty-one. I also used the IC 705 for a two-meter simplex contact on 146.520 MHz.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-FNOHyypWgPHuCiGQRBoWFohi2C-GS5Fdm3NR1DX1tMVfUSG-yokhCePz6c5DTG0-M_TsJFjMgER7-HtFeokU2r3k-YJ9Nmsy2vhm2kXoHhuVo-LnRyU8Y4sPwrfqEnBJ-w0tDpqNs8/w400-h75/GA-AL+Trip.JPG) |
The activation stats for our stops while camping |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI6nKnj_9LtWPqPaXVjdVxbH4V0Axzf_2it0TtqZmvQmQnEasYF90KaYqsfszQqhxunJJJQ_HNn3IAU6qKX2xfRLLln73RDH8N6eJf7C2g0sUXfdUicQxaYqsLPU753Gp88euesXY_w0/w400-h106/Buds.JPG) |
Always a joy when my buddies chase me. |
Unicoi State Park in North Georgia was a change of scene. Unfortunately, it rained for most of our stay. I got in a POTA activation. Also, the Peanut Power Sprint, a two-hour QRP event, was on October 3rd. I was Nut 113 and I worked twenty-one other QRP Nuts mostly on 40 meters. I had to bring the rig into the trailer to escape from the rain. When camping, I look for other parks in the area I can do POTA from. I found Smithgall State Park. I went during a brief break in the rain. To speed my setup I went with the Alexloop again. I was pleased to get seventeen contacts and four on 40 meters SSB.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h1_VFe-mchLiiAx3X2cX8-iAip6vIL0PU1nmPvvJpCmIwfDEK6KZEnLTPiMbb9cR4Jm_Z6GwTVcf99C2Uiq_AdrXWgSI1uBqR4qSxcXHSgzqgdat-zJunF-tAbBJxlLOUHtKYqvmxSY/w300-h400/20211006_123928.jpg) |
A view along the trails in Unicoi State Park, Suzy enjoyed the trails. |
Our last camping stop was at Cheaha State Park. I had no internet to spot myself on the POTA Site. I did hunt & pounce taking advantage of the SKCC WES and several QSO Parties for a total of nineteen contacts. I ran ten watts and the Alexloop yet again. Due to a calendar miscalculation, we had to leave the park a day early. So I missed doing the SOTA summit right there in the Cheaha State Park. Oh well, a reason to go back.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx78Qqa17dn4aw8LrQpcj9EcSOO0G1286KVvqcr8SUROCf6QbiEoEMuYkSxEVMTPozLYo_lG4kUj7UYA04dgFXU6BkIX-1cy-eVWg8sWU-EfxTrSGOC4OBfZUIMWkoFResqXgEGCFCUU/w400-h300/20211009_181124.jpg) |
Sunset at Cheaha Mountain, the highest mountain in Alabama. |
So the next event for me is RaDAR on November 6th. Eddie ZS6BNE has come up with New RaDAR Rules. I will likely go with the IC 705 and the Alexloop mag for a manageable pack up, quick setup, and rapid band changes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ2RswwP4rfQeKAWI7lkZn9MojCWesnWJ6Mb5lZi05cY70a1mgFr-dmj8_mG9EwpIUvQORMeId6Xp9CfVlIUQFxNS2EM5Dd8dA_jtU1EVSDENiMVRljXGLq8MdG3hTvTHnMCd5cyr3T4/w300-h400/20211005_150419.jpg) |
Suzy stays dry at the Smithgall State Park POTA activation. |