Last Sunday, my family set out on a trip across North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast. Our destination was Beaufort, a charming coastal town I hadn’t visited in 17 years. This quick pre-Christmas getaway was a surprise for my daughters—and for Hazel, our dog, who loves adventure just as much as we do.
Planning for the Trip
Since our Subaru Forester was destroyed during Hurricane Helene, we’ve been relying on our Volvo C40 Recharge. While it’s a fantastic car, its limited cargo space made packing for this trip a challenge. I initially planned to squeeze in luggage, food, and radio gear for the five of us (including Hazel).
However, the logistics got tricky. Everyone packed light, but it would have been a tight fit, especially since we’d need to bring Hazel’s portable (folding) kennel. To complicate things further, we would have to stop for at least one full charge each way during the 13-hour round trip, adding 30–50 minutes to each leg of the journey.
When I learned the level 2 charger near our rental house in Beaufort might be out of service, I decided to rent a minivan instead. Thanks to our insurance provider, AMICA, the process was easy and straightforward. The added space made the trip much more comfortable.
Even with the roomier minivan, I stuck to my original plan for radio gear, bringing only my Elecraft KX2 and KH1, both neatly packed in my EDC backpack.
Arriving in Beaufort
We arrived in Beaufort on Sunday afternoon. Our AirBnB rental was perfectly situated within walking distance of the historic downtown. The home was cozy, and the location couldn’t have been better for exploring the area.
On Monday, we spent the day wandering through Beaufort, soaking in the town’s charm and history. Then, on Tuesday, December 17, we headed to Harker’s Island for a short ferry ride to Cape Lookout National Seashore and its iconic lighthouse.
The Ferry Ride
Hazel turned out to be a huge fan of ferry rides—she couldn’t get enough of speeding across the water in a small boat (and the attention of the eight others on the boat with us)!
Since it was the off-season, the island was nearly deserted, with maybe a dozen other visitors in total.
The weather was ideal: light winds, and temperatures that made it feel like pure bliss.
A Saltwater Ground-Plane Activation
You might recall from a previous post that I’d been looking forward to trying something new: a POTA activation with my antenna’s counterpoise wire dangling directly in the ocean.
[Many thanks to my daughter Neva (K4TLI) for some of these photos!]
Although I’ve activated several POTA sites near saltwater—Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore (on the Pamlico Sound and at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) to name a few—this was my first time actually standing in the water with my counterpoise submerged.
Cape Lookout, with its stunning lighthouse and pristine beaches, provided the perfect setting for this experiment.
The Activation
While my wife, daughters, and Hazel explored the beaches near the lighthouse, I headed to the calm waters of Lookout Bight with my Elecraft KH1. Since we arrived at the island around 10:30 AM and needed to catch the return ferry by 1:30 PM, I limited my activation to under an hour to maximize family time.
Standing at the water’s edge, I let the KH1’s counterpoise wire dangle into the saltwater while operating pedestrian mobile. Did it make a dramatic difference in signal propagation? I can’t say for certain, other than the results were amazing!
Gear
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Radio and Antenna System
- Elecraft KH1 Edgewood Package
- Included 4′ whip antenna and 13′ detachable counterpoise
- Zebra Mini Mechanical Pencil (preferred over the included Zebra pen)
- Pelican Micro M40 mine is the modified version from Tufteln
- Panasonic ErgoFit Wired Earbuds
Camera and Audio Gear
- DJI OSMO 4 action camera with Joby Telepod Sport Tripod
- Sony ICD-FX312 Digital Recorder ($20 thrift store find)
On The Air
I had scheduled this activation before leaving that morning, assuming I wouldn’t have mobile coverage on the island. Surprisingly, we had excellent signals there.
My plan was straightforward: start on 17 meters, move to 15 meters, and finish on 20 meters. Since I didn’t bring my AXE 40M coil or the longer counterpoise, I planned to skip 30 and 40 meters. With limited time, I doubted I could fit those bands into the activation anyway.
I began calling CQ POTA on 17 meters. It was clear when the RBN spotted me, as a pileup quickly formed. In just 28 minutes, I logged 34 hunters—a rate that’s about as fast as I’ve ever logged CW contacts during a POTA activation! To maximize the number of hunters I could work, I kept the exchanges a bit shorter than usual.
Next, I switched to 15 meters. While there was slightly less activity, I still managed to log 10 contacts in just 11 minutes.
As I was wrapping up, I noticed my daughter and Hazel walking toward me. Although there were still hunters calling, I called QRT with apologies. The primary goal of our trip was family time, and I was eager to join them for more exploring!
QSO Map
Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map:
Activation Video
Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation. As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have monetization turned off on YouTube, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.
Note that Patreon supporters can watch and even download this video 100% ad-free through Vimeo on my Patreon page:
Click here to view on YouTube.
An unforgettable activation!
There’s something magical about operating on a saltwater beach. The rhythm of the waves, the vast open sky, and the thought of your signal skipping across the globe—it all feels surreal.
Looking at the QSO Map and the distances my 5 watts into a four foot whip carried me is nothing short of magic.
Had I attempted this activation on the other side of the island with waves crashing, I don’t think I could have kept the counterpoise in the water. On the Lookout Bight side of the island, though, the waters were calm and all I had to do was re-position myself every 15 minutes as the tide went out.
Next time we visit Cape Lookout, I want to rent a off-grid cabin and stay for a few days. It would be an ideal location for something like the NC QSO Party or just a mini IOTA (Islands On The Air) DXpedition.
Bonus Photos
There were so very few people on the island that this kind woman who ran the gift shop gave Hazel a lot of attention…and doggy treats!
Our little ferry returning.
On the way back, out boat stopped by Shackleford island when we spotted wild horses on the coast. My daughter snapped these shots.
Thank you!
Thank you for joining me during this amazing little activation!
I hope you enjoyed the field report and my activation video as much as I enjoyed creating them!
Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.
Thanks for spending part of your day with me!
Here’s wishing you and yours the very best of the Holidays!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
Outstanding!
Regarding 30 meters, no need for the AXE1. Just use the whip and attach a 33 foot counterpoise and you can get 1:1 and five watts out. Interesting to note: that will NOT work on the KX2!
I set up my counterpoise so that I can attach a 20 foot extension to the 13 foot counterpoise. It works so well that I use the full length almost all the time on all bands, even when /PM.
You know, I’ll give that a go. Thank you!
I’ve made a number of 30M contacts with the 13′ counterpoise and no AXE, but the SWR is quite high and I know much less efficient. That longer counterpoise will help!
Love the photos 📸
Thank you, Thomas, for the wonderful photo reminders of the beauty of the Outer Banks ! The snapshot of Hazel on the boat ride, looking up, is so cute ! Merry Christmas to you and your entire family, and all best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
73 and 72,
Bill W3WJ
Thank you, Bill! 🙂
Yes, Hazel enjoyed that ride much more than I thought she was. She’s such a great travel companion in every respect. She’s incredibly chill and low-maintenance. We feel pretty lucky.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!
Cheers & 72/73,
Thomas
Hi Thomas. Great article (as always ). I will definitely have to visit Cape Lookout. On my way to visit lifelong friends that live in Beufort.
Merry Christmas
Los
AE2W
Indeed, Carlos!
You’ll love Beaufort. Plan to spend a bit of time there for sure.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
Thomas
Thomas:
I’ll describe this report with an adjective you often use – “brilliant!” What a delightful trip. I’m glad Hazel was able to join in the adventure with your family.
I’ve wanted to visit Cape Lookout since I was a child. (There is something magical looking about that lighthouse.) Well, now I REALLY have to make the trip. We hams are blessed to soak in these places with another layer of experience – through the hobby we love.
72,
The POTA Babe
Teri KO4WFP
Thank you so much, Teri!
You won’t regret a visit to Cape Lookout. I just loved how peaceful and quiet it was. And, yes, you must give it an activation! As I said, next time we go back, I would like to stay on the island for a few days in one of their cabins or in a tent. I could play SO much radio there when not simply enjoying the scenery.
Here’s wishing you and yours the best of the Holiday season, Teri! 🙂
72,
Thomas
I *love* the Outer Banks. I lived in Raleigh for a few years (97-99) when I did a postdoc at NCState. I managed to get one trip away to the Outer Banks – I was spending too much time in the lab. 🤣 This was around the time they were moving the Cape Hatteras lighthouse back from the edge.
I now live in Saskatoon – well out of reach of hurricanes – and want to try the saline ground plane method on some of our saline lakes and alkali sloughs. At the moment, there’s a bit of hard water (~12″) on the surface … although I suppose I can grab an ice fishing auger …
ve5urq
You know, Stephen, it would be quite an interesting experiment to play radio on a saline lake! Of course, this time of year, it’s easy for me to say that. It’s not -30C here! 🙂
wow what an amazing activation. kudos!
Thank you!
Thanks for the p2p contact Thomas. Had just announced QRT when I noticed you on 17m. To my surprise I could hear you this time so decided to give it a try. Thanks for pulling me out! Love your vids!
Merry Christmas
72’ Ray PA4PA
Oh wow, Ray! That’s only my second Transatlantic P2P, if memory serves. Thank you!
Your signal sounded fantastic.
Here’s wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
Thomas
K4SWL
Impressive activation with an amazing number of contacts in a short time. Perhaps the open horizon in most directions helped, as well as the saline ground plane
Really beautiful pictures too. (Thank you Neva and Thomas)
Thank you, Roger!
Neva does take some wonderful photos. You’ll be happy to know that she’ll have her full Duke app in this week. She has her fingers crossed. 🙂
Here’s wishing you and your wife a most spectacular holiday.
Cheers,
Thomas
Thomas,
Looks like the FFF meter (family fun factor) was pegged! And I noted a blue line landing a few miles south of me at W7ZRC. I drive by his shack and tower occasionally. He sports a massive beam, and antenna array. Although it was CW contact, I’m sure he heard the waves lapping your bare feet!
72 de W7UDT ID sk ee
Thomas,
Thank you for bringing back fond memories of Beaufort, we honeymooned there 12 years ago and found the same friendly and charming town you describe. Glad to see it hasn’t changed!
I have not tried to combine pota with family outings beyond a single activation over a multi day camping trip, perhaps as my youngest gets into his teens that will shift.
Thank you for a fantastic year of inspiring write ups of your adventures, and practical commentary on Ham Radio Workbench.
Happy new year and 73
Wonderful, Greg. Thank you for the kind comments.
Yes, I think you’ll find Beaufort to be just as charming as it was for you then.
And POTA + Family can really work. SOTA + Family, too! My golden rule is that I prioritize the family and they always encourage me to play a little radio because they know it’s good for my soul.
Thanks again and have an amazing Holiday and New Year! 🙂
72,
Thomas
Thomas – a wonderful vacation for your family and you at the Outer Banks. As you know, North Carolina is wonderful state, with mountains at one end and the Atlantic Ocean at the other. Great natural beauty at either end. Glad you got to experience the “saltwater amplifier” effect.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas ^ HNY to yall.
Bob K4RLC
BTW- Alanna and I will be camping at Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks next month for Winter Field day.
Hi Thomas!
Thanks for the saltwater report and all the info, especially the info about your recording setup! I’ve been trying—inspired by you—to record more of our radio outings and I’m definitely still coming up to speed.
We’ve been playing with a vertical antenna and saltwater grounds all over San Francisco with Project TouCans for the last few weeks and having a blast with it! So far we’ve learned that, for TouCans, dipping the counterpoise into the water makes the rig pick up AM broadcast interference, while coiling the counterpoise near the rig on the pier we’re transmitting from eliminates AM interference. As usual, with TouCans, we’re not really, really certain why this is happening 🙂
The most fun activation I’ve done so far was from a pier with two to three foot wave swells below. The heaving ground plane actually reset TouCans a few times due to the rapidly changing SWR. It was a lot of fun to see the physics of it all in action!
Hi Thomas. Coming back from a 600 km roundtrip with a small electrcic vehicel (Skoda Enyak) as a new BEV driver I fully understand your concern. Fortunately, charging infrastructure here is good, but it is odd to stay 1h for 80% re-charge, however, I will now carry my VFH hand held to make ham contacts via repeater when charging (CHOTA – CHarging On The Air 😉 Planned is also to try HF later on Cheers from Germany. Chris, DL7CW