Introduction

by Matt (W6CSN)

In early August, my family and I had occasion to take a road trip totaling nearly 2800 miles (4500 km) across six different U.S. states.

The title of this posting might lead you to think that this trip was dedicated to doing Parks On The Air activations, but that was not the case. Instead, we were in the process of delivering a kid to their next adventure in higher education.

Since I have already gone into some detail of these POTA activations on my blog at w6csn.blog, this post will be just a summary of the amateur radio aspects of the trip, plus some of the pictures taken along the way.

There was limited space in the tightly packed car and some tough decisions had to be made about what radio equipment to bring. I settled on the Elecraft KH1, the most compact HF CW station you can carry. I also brought the Yaesu FT-818 and microphone. The all-band, all-mode capability of the ‘818 gives me some peace of mind when traveling through dark territory. Of course, I also carried a Garmin InReach on my radio bag.

Operating Notes

The first POTA activation happened at Bud Phelps WMA in the Cache Valley near Logan, Utah. Surrounded by farm fields and livestock, the FT-818 and MFJ-1979 telescoping whip brought in 10 QSOs for a complete activation.

Later the same day we detoured up into Idaho to bag Pioneer Historic National Scenic Byway. With an afternoon temperature of 95°F, I was happy that the KH1 and Gabil GRA-7350T antenna got the job done in short order.

On the way over the mountains from Utah to Wyoming we stopped briefly to stretch our legs at the Bear Lake Overlook. I thought this would be a perfect place to whip out the KH1 with built-in whip and see if I could make a contact or two as a hunter. Alas, the bands were truly “dead” and I could not hear any signals, let alone make contact in the short time spent at this rest area.

Several days later, we dodged thunderstorms to sneak in an activation at Colorado’s Lory State Park. Again, the KH1 and 7350T paired up for a quick 12 QSOs before threatening weather called an end to the operation.

Now on the return leg of our journey, we stopped in Laramie, Wyoming for fuel, some snacks, and to activate Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. This time the 7350T antenna perched atop the Gabil GRA-GNT Tiny Tripod with ground spike, a compromise for sure, but it works well enough for POTA.

Back in Utah, a POTA of opportunity presented itself with a brief visit to Great Salt Lake State Park. With no place to setup a more extensive antenna system, I deployed the Tufteln right-angle adapter to use the KH1 on a picnic table with the 4 foot whip. This setup certainly attracts some curious looks from passersby.

Later, at home, I realized that when we had stopped to marvel at the Bonneville Salt Flats that there was a “2-fer” right under my nose. The salt flats themselves are private property, but the adjacent rest area counts for the California National Historic Trail and the Pony Express National Historic Trail.

The final POTA activation of trip came at Rye Patch State Recreation Area, about a half hour west of Winnemucca, Nevada on Interstate 80. Here it was time to use the FT-818 once again to try to get the activation done in the morning before the desert heat really got cooking. After an hour on the air, 10 QSOs were in the log and we were once again on the road for our final day of driving on this tour of The West.

Equipment Used

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• Elecraft KH1 “Edgewood” package HF QRP CW transceiver.
• Yaesu FT-818 all mode HF/VHF/UHF QRP transceiver.
• Windcamp 3000 mAh LiPo battery for FT-818.
• Gabil Radio GRA-7350T tuneable whip antenna.
• Gabil Radio GRA-GNT Tiny Tripod and portable mounting kit.
• MFJ-1979 telescoping whip antenna.
• CW Morse pocket paddles.
• Tufteln right-angle adapter for KH1 whip.
• ABR Industries RG-316 BNC coax assembly with ferrite choke.
• Rite in the Rain 3”x5” Logging Notedpad.
• Zebra Del-Gaurd 0.7mm mechanical pencil.
• C. Crane Earbuds
• Bioenno 3ah LiFePo battery
• Pro Audio Engineering 14V “low noise” DC power supply, for charging/operating the KH1.
• Garmin InReach Mini 2

72 and POTA ON!

de W6CSN