FR 0x005: Wolf Trap Ntl Park

Ref: US-0692
Rig: Elecraft KX2
Ant: CHA LEFS 4010
Power: 5W
Key: BaMaKeY TP-III
HT: BTECH UV-PRO + SignalStick
Tab: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Ruck: GR0 Cordura
Logging Gear:
    Battle Board Aviation Kneeboard
    Rite in the Rain Notebook #935
    Rite in the Rain Metal Pen #97 
Other Gear:
    sofirn HS40 Headlamp
    Weaver Arborist 12oz throw weight and line
WX: ~1C no wind, clear, sunny, light snow 

It’s been a while since I’ve set up at Wolf Trap in the snow. The deployment was straightforward, conditions were great, and the activation was fun, except for getting stepped on a few times (but that’s just QRP life). Also, noticing an unpleasant trend among some hunters lately, so here is a PSA for non-DX hunters operating QRO: sending your callsign 6 times unsolicited (yes, this actually happened) doesn’t help anybody. Offsetting your XIT frequency and sending it twice is plenty to break through. If you don’t get called first, it’s likely because I’m trying to pick out a weaker station before I lose it.

I was happy to get some P2P contacts and a call from Manu (WP4TZ) in Puerto Rico, thank you guys! I also enjoyed a visit from a curious fox, which unfortunately I didn’t have time to capture on camera. P2P contacts were:

• Jim WB0RLJ at the US-4011 Chalco Hills State Recreation Area
• Chris W4MPT at the US-3723 Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
• Jim WT5O at the US-3568 Silver Strand State Beach
• Tripp N4NTO at the US-6956 Tar River State Game Land
• Jeff W4JSH at the US-2958 Montgomery Bell State Park

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