FR 0x008: 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: ~3C no wind, partly cloudy

The snow has melted, temps are above freezing, and yet the ground at Wolf Trap refuses to accept my stake. I was short on time, so I had to get creative. I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

The conditions were excellent and the activation was a ton of fun. First P2P call was from Christoph DL1CR from a 2fer location southwest of Hanover. Thanks for calling, Christoph! Another exciting contact was a call from Tom K4SWL, whose blog and videos inspired me to get into POTA and QRP CW operation. Thanks, Tom!

On a less positive note, I’ve finally burned a hole in my CHA LEFS 4010 antenna wire. I’ve had several thousand QSOs with this antenna. Had I been more careful, it would have been many thousands more. Actually, it’s not beyond repair, but I’ve been itching to shop for new Chameleon gear and a replacement wire is the perfect alibi.

Big thanks to all P2P calls:

• Kevin KE8UVX at the US-6742 Muskrat Lake State Game Land
• Glenn WI8O at the US-1940 Caesar Creek State Park
• Ken K4KVC at the US-6455 Panasoffkee Outlet State Conservation Area
• Christoph DL1CR/P at the 2fer DE-0078 Weserbergland Nature Park and DE-0782 Saupark National Nature Reserve

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