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by Vince (VE6LK)
In August and September 2024 I was travelling around Southern Ontario for some family matters and naturally I brought my radio kit with me to squeeze in some radio therapy stops along the way. This is the report of my stop at CA-5367, McQuesten House / Whitehern National Historic Site.
This site is located in downtown Hamilton and among the tall building and features a walled rear garden. It is open to all visitors and there is no fee to visit the facility. This two-storey neoclassical house was the home of a prominent family, the McQuestens, and retains many of its original Victorian and Edwardian fittings and furnishings. It is now a museum open to the public.
This activation was strictly by chance and I had less than an hour before I was due to be someplace else. I did not check the solar conditions in advance nor anything about the site. Sometimes just showing up is fun in and of itself, am I right? So I found my way around to the rear garden and found a bench in an out-of-the-way corner and set up for a low impact activation.
I deployed my AX1 on it’s small tripod and placed it on the ground and ran out a 20m counterpoise wire beside the walking path. I set myself and the radio gear on a park bench along the path. It truly felt like a small enclave!
After calling for 10 minutes with zero replies I checked the solar conditions and see that a small flare had just hit. That might explain the soft conditions, and combined with the compromised antenna and its close proximity to me. I moved the antenna away from me as far as the feedline would allow. Only then was I able to log just a few contacts and those were hard-fought. Then I ran out of time.
List of gear used for these activations:
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- Elecraft KX3
- Elecraft AX1 antenna
- Charmast 100W battery
- Palm Pico Paddle
- 35′ RG-174 feedline with a FT-140-43 toroid at one end
- Leadsound 3W portable speaker
- Bass Pro Shops Extreme tackle bag 3600 size
Summary
I’ve spoken before about “getting to 10” with a POTA activation. For me, that’s always one of my goals. But it isn’t the only goal. I also enjoy the new scenery, the journey, the research and the challenge. This visit was high on the scenery and the challenge end of the scale for sure.
72 and dit dit,
…Vince
First introduced to the magic of radio by a family member in 1969, Vince has been active in the hobby since 2002. He is an Accredited examiner in Canada and the USA, operates on almost all of the modes, and is continually working on making his CW proficiency suck less. He participates in public service events around Western Canada and is active on the air while glamping, mobile, at home or doing a POTA activation. You can hear him on the Ham Radio Workbench podcast, follow him on Twitter @VE6LK, check out his YouTube channel, and view the projects and articles on his website.
Hi Vince, nice snug set up there! I fully concur that just showing up is fun. For me, unorchestrated /p operation without a quota is most enjoyable. After all, Marconi was satisfied with just half a QSO (received “S”) for first trans-Atlantic radio transmission! But as Thomas rightly points out – whatever floats your boat. There is plenty of room in ham radio for “raw” /p operation and QSO quota-based programs like POTA or SOTA. The main thing is the more QRP llCW, the better!
Best 72, Scott VA7SNJ
Typo- meant “QRP CW”
Totally agree. While I don’t necessarily “like” not getting credit for a complete activation, there is still plenty of satisfaction to be had in the attempt.
I guess the exception would be for a location that I am unlikely to want to ever return. There is a big difference between having unfinished business in London’s Hyde Park and Armpit State Rec. Area.
But any day that you’re alive and playing with ham radios is a good day.
Vince, Thanks for the post. I love the binder clip magnetic base for your Palm Pico. I’m gonna use that one for sure!
72 de W7UDT ID (dit dit)
Very nice Vince!! My motto is “No such thing as a failed activation.” My last “failure” was very early on a Monday morning. Only logged 4 , but the last was to VK3YV in Melbourne from PA with 5W of 20m CW. Felt glorious after calling CQ for 90min.
73
WS0SWV Shawn
Thanks for reiterating the “10 contacts aren’t critical to success” rule. For a hunter somewhere, seeking a new park, for an activator at a unique, new or beautiful location, for a new ham trying POTA for the first time, for a curious observer asking about the hobby, there are only winners. Took me a whole lot of “less than 10” attempts to realize that just enjoying being out in a park is pretty special, even more so when you can have a QSO with someone. Maybe just one. Thx
Vince, I have you in HamAlert and try to log you every chance I get. We are so close that most signals 20m and up are over me here in MT. I have logged you 3 time. Near Edmonton, in KS, and on the east coast all on 20m. We will keep trying
K7ULM Dick
Hey Vince – You were in a beautiful spot (I really appreciate all the National historic sites and Lighthouses Canada has after our Cape Breton trip) and you activated. QRP really makes one be an excellent operator but I’ve yet to change Ionospheric conditions with a wish or curse 🙂
Thanks for all you do.
73 de K4RLC Bob
You must be a glass hall full person. Good for you. Sometimes you have to work hard to get the 10th. Other times, you get one or two and know it’s hopeless. The sun and propagation are mercurial lately.
A couple of years ago, I was activating US-1610 Cape May Point SP at the southern tip of NJ. A group of young people from NY and Israel came by and were very interested in Morse Code. I tried to make some contacts and demonstrate CW, but there was a total radio blackout. I couldn’t hear any signals at all. I was disappointed to miss the opportunity.
I submit all non-zero logs whether or not I get to 10. I want the hunters to get credit.
The Hamilton Pota Operators group VE3HPO activated Dundurn Castle and Burlington Heights on Sunday, September 15th, with 16 operators. One contact with us would have completed any park2park activation; 2fer with 16 Ops = 32 QSO’s.
Pota on
I love how you found this little tucked-away spot to play POTA. I, too, love finding places like this where you’re not in the way of anyone and just appreciate a little peace and radio! 🙂
Thomas