by Teri (KO4WFP)
Daisy and I awoke the morning of Thursday, July 18, ready to attempt our third SOTA activation of this trip. Today we’d head to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area (US-3846), a short drive from New River State Park. Along the drive, I spied quite a few farms for Christmas trees.
Mount Jefferson (W4C/EM-021) is 4,665 feet in elevation , rises more than 1,600 feet above the valley floor, and was a place for escaped slaves to hide. The mountain is a heath bald featuring dense evergreen shrubs on it which is different from the grassy balds also found in the Appalachian mountains. (Black Balsam Knob I visited earlier in the trip is an example of a grassy bald.)
A road winds up to a parking lot close to the summit. When I arrived on this overcast day, there was only one other vehicle parked. I grabbed my SOTA pack, outfitted Daisy with her harness and leash, and we were ready for the task ahead of us.
The hike up to the summit is an easy one. The trail begins at the parking lot and is easy to identify. To make sure there was no repeat performance of not being sure where the summit is located, I snapped a pic of a posted park map.
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/beginning-of-the-trail.jpg?resize=474%2C632&ssl=1)
Along the hike, we encountered the weather station near the summit and neat lichens.
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/weather-station.jpg?resize=474%2C632&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/lichens.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
It wasn’t long before we arrived at the summit. I could see the weather station back along the ridge as well as the town in the valley below. I had checked the weather forecast before I left our campsite earlier that morning and it looked promising.
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/the-trail-up.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/the-summit.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
At the summit is a section of rock with a flatish spot in the middle, almost as if it is beckoning one to get comfortable. We settled ourselves on that flatish spot and I began pulling my equipment out of the pack. I opted for the AX1 again as it served me well at the previous two SOTA activations and there wasn’t much room up here.
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/on-mount-jefferson-QRPer.jpeg?resize=474%2C297&ssl=1)
I quickly discovered there was no cell service. I’d have to make do, possibly setting up near another POTA station and hoping the RBN would spot me or someone would come across me. I began on 40 meters but after spending 10 minutes on that band, moved to 20 meters. James WA1EDN found me and I asked him to “PSE SPOT ME”. It worked and in the next 15 minutes, I worked five stations and then…
It started raining! (Noooooo!) I had noticed fog-like clouds moving in; however, I have seen this kind of weather before while on the Blue Ridge Parkway and those clouds don’t always bring rain. I naively believed the weather forecast and didn’t pay them much attention. Until it started raining.
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/clouds-moving-in-1.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
I hurriedly covered my KX2 and key, put on my raincoat, and threw what I could into my pack including my notepad. Thankfully, I take with me a Rite in the Rain notebook and pen as a backup. Neither had ever been used. I refused to give up so easily and began calling CQ POTA again. I worked another station – John N7JTT in Washington state – and then…
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/wet-pack.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
My key started going bonkers on me! I didn’t think about it but the key is electronic and not mechanical. I can recall only two times I’ve activated in the rain. Both were during my trip to Nova Scotia and both times I activated INSIDE the car. So I and my equipment (except the antenna) were protected from the rain. Electronic keys and rain do NOT mix as I now discovered. I thought I had protected it from the rain but obviously not.
Well, I could deal with that! I always take a small backup key with me which I now pulled out and began to use. However, that key, too, is electrical and crapped out on me in no time. Now I had no choice but to call QRT. Oh, the depth of despair at having to do that when I was so close to a valid activation!
![](https://i0.wp.com/qrper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/taking-a-snooze-in-the-rain.jpg?resize=474%2C356&ssl=1)
I consoled myself that at least I got my third SOTA activation and, other than the keys crapping out on me, this activation had been a lot of fun. Also, the AX1 had proven itself a rockstar with two QSOs to the West Coast – John N7JTT in California and WB6POT in Washington state! Way to go AX1!
We dragged our soggy bodies down the mountain to the parking lot where I looked at the keys one more time to see if they would work for me. Nope. Honestly, I felt very, VERY stupid at not thinking about those keys being electrical. I never considered they wouldn’t work in the rain. Sigh. This was another learning opportunity and, when I got back home, I’d make sure to have a mechanical key in my arsenal as a SECOND backup. You know what the SEALs say: two is one and one is none. At this point, I had none!
I had planned on heading back to Georgia tomorrow. But with no working keys, there could be no more activations. (I don’t carry a mic with me as I am a CW-only op these days.) There was no point in staying that extra day.
I headed back to New River State Park, packed everything up, and drove the seven hours back to Savannah, Georgia. Though the keys might have dried out and worked the next day, we had already been through two nights of thunderstorms and much more promised to roll through the area. Enough was enough.
All in all, I considered the trip a success. I finally tackled SOTA and ended up with three valid activations. I added six valid POTA activations to my goal of 60 new-to-me parks for 2024. I survived five days of camping alone with Daisy 500 miles from home. Yes, I made mistakes along the way; however, I viewed those a learning opportunities, mistakes I’d not be likely to make again.
For those of you who followed these articles and hunted me during the trip, thank you for sharing this journey with me. This POTA Babe learned a lot and had a lot of fun along the way, despite the setbacks. I am already plotting a SOTA trip for spring or summer 2025 and, most certainly, a summer 2025 return to the North Carolina mountains. But well before that, I have 23 more parks to activate for my 2024 POTA activation goal. Where will I show up next? Stay tuned…
Equipment Used
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Thank you SO much for taking us along on your POTA/SOTA camping trip in NC, Teri!
That photo of you and Daisy is simply superb!
Mount Jefferson is a wonderful site. I think I’ve activated it at least twice over the past few years–it’s a bit of a haul to get there from the Asheville area, so I’ve only activated it while camping at New River, like you.
And rain? Yeah. I would imagine those VK3IL paddles would be especially susceptible to malfunctioning during rain. If the pads or your fingers get wet, it’ll cause unintentional contact. Last time I activated in full-on rain I used the TP-III assuming it would work okay because the contacts are under the plexi cover, but turns out they’re a wee bit too close to the opening and it’s easy for water to intrude. I had to hold the key at an angle that water couldn’t get inside. 🙂 Next time I hit the field in the rain, I have better keys for the job.
I think it’s brilliant that you were able to fit SOTA into this trip never having performed a SOTA activation before. Well done!
And heading back home early? Yeah, I remember that week and the constant stream of downpours and t-storms. I would have done the same. Camping is way less fun when you’re constantly packing up a wet tent.
Again, thank you for taking us along on the adventure, Teri. It blows my mind that you’re getting so close to your 60 park goal this year. Fantastic!
Cheers,
Thomas
Has anyone tried teaching their dog CW? Just wondering.
I had the same experience with VK3IL paddles. They’re fine once they dry out. I was glad to have some mechanical paddles with me that day.
I love the rain when I (and my stuff) can stay dry. Otherwise… not so much. Great job out there!
Thomas and Todd (and anyone else):
What key(s) do you use for rainy situations? Thanks for both of your comments.
72,
The POTA Babe
Teri KO4WFP
I really enjoy reading about you and Daisy on your POTA/SOTA adventures. I’ve been a ham since 1994 and I learned CW to get my General license. However, I quickly forgot CW. Since reading your articles, I have been considering again learning CW. I just turned 84 years of age so I don’t know if I can learn it again. We’ll see. Thanks again for your stories.
Lyndon:
Thanks for your comment. One is never too old to learn or re-acquaint themselves with CW, in my opinion. What is important is determination and, if you have that, you’ll get to where you want to go.
I never tire of CW and, if one is truly interested in “mastering” it, that is a lifelong journey because there is always something new to learn – a new key or new speed – and skills – head copy, perfecting one’s fist – on which to work. I think it the best mode ham radio offers. (No offense to those of you who enjoy SSB and digital.)
I’m glad you enjoy the adventures of Daisy and me. I’ll try to keep them coming!
72,
The POTA Babe
Teri KO4WFP
Teri — thanks again. Nice writeup, as usual. As to a paddle that works when wet, I once spilled a Coke Zero on my cwmorse.us Pocket Paddle. Fearing what that gooey mixture of acid, coloring, and sweetener would do to the paddle, I pulled off the cap and poured a bottle on water on it. Then I shook it out, blew as much moisture out of it as I could, rinsed it again, put the cover back on, and kept using it. It seemed to work fine, no worse for the accidental acid bath.
Skip:
What a story – a key that survives Diet Coke. I have not found the CW Morse keys as durable as I would like over time. However, I have their cootie key in my equipment stash and maybe I’ll bring it along in case of rainy activations. I also have another key gifted to me that may work.
Thanks for your comment!
72,
The POTA Babe
Teri KO4WFP
Teri,
Great post. I like getting thrown curve balls during activations. That balance between bringing too much gear and not having what I need to deal with a problem is part of the fun for me.
You mentioned that you never bring your mic to an activation any more. However, because you were using your KX2, you do have an option to use the internal mic in a pinch. I’ve used it a couple of times just to make sure I knew how. It can be a little awkward, but it does work. Just a thought.
Best Regards,
Keith
KY4KK