by Mark (JJ5GVY/KB2PIZ)
My wife and I visit Japan every year for 3 to 4 months, usually in the spring. This year, we arrived in early March, and the weather was a bit cold. However, recently, we’ve seen the temperature turn quite warm and mild, with the cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom! It’s a perfect day to play radio!
Since we live in Takamatsu on Shikoku Island, we have easy access to Ritsurin Park (JP-2051).
Wednesday, March 26, was a perfect day for my wife to stroll through the park while I played radio.
Here is the gazebo where I set up shop.
The History of Ritsurin Garden
It is believed that Ritsurin Garden was originally created in the late 16th century, from a garden belonging to the Sato Clan located in the southwest corner of the present garden.
What is now the Nanko Pond was created around 1625, when Takatoshi Ikoma ruled the Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa).
In 1642, Yorishige Matsudaira began ruling the Takamatsu Domain and inherited the garden. He and the successive generations of his family kept developing the garden over the years, and the 60 scenic spots were named when the domain’s fifth lord, Yoritaka Matsudaira, was in power in 1745.
The Matsudaira clan used Ritsurin Garden as their private retreat for 228 years, over 11 generations, until it became open to the public as a prefecturally-owned garden in 1875.
In 1953, the garden was officially designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.
I had my KH1, a fully charged battery, and a quiet bench in the shade! Time to get to work.
I spotted myself on the POTA app and started calling CQ.
It took about an hour to log 11 contacts running 4 watts on 20 meters. The band seemed quiet and the noise level was S2.
Of the 11 contacts, one was a dupe but I had 10 good contacts and a successful activation!
The KH1 is a keeper for sure!
All in all it was a fun and productive day.
73,
Mark JJ5GVY/KB2PIZ
The in flux of HOA’s has changed our hobby like no other event. HOA’s have forced Amateur Radio to adapt to a mobile hobby. We no longer sit in our radio shacks and design new and improved equipment but now we throw our gear in the truck and head out to a park. Throw a wire antenna with a 9:1 balun or unun in a tree. And we are happy. I agree it is fun but not the direction where Amateur Radio should be headed. I live in an HOA community. There was a restriction on tv antennas and satelite tv dishes but not on Han radio antennas. For over 10 years I had a screwdriver antenna installed on top of my patio roof. Then a Karan on the HOA board decided to change the rules and forced me to take down my normally car mounted screwdriver antenna from my patio roof. Why who knows there were no complaints.
All I am saying is we all would like a 60 ft. Tower and a multi band Yagi on top, and several dipoles hanging in the yard. But we need to down size a bit. From Floridas I could regularly work Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Africa and anywhere in South America. Thank you ATAS 120a. But no more. Now I get to go to a park in 99 degrees heat to enjoy my hobby. We can do better with out moving into the country between a corn and soy bean fields to have an antenna installed on the air at home. I have not seen much support from the ARRL and congress is not helpful at all. Maybe I’m wrong on this, maybe Ham Radio will end up going to the way side like CB radio.
What a beautiful location to operate a QRP field radio station. Seems perfect for stealthy radio like the KH1. You certainly would not catch me erecting antennas in such a culturally sensitive location.
I’m interested to know from where the QSOs came? Were they all Japanese stations or did you get some DX as well?
72
All contacts were in Japan! I was hoping for DX but no joy! Usually here China and Korea but so far only one contact.
My QTH is on the back side of a mountain with two transformers providing QRM. Antenna is 33 foot wire loop wrapped around the wooden house.
KH1 whip so far hasn’t got any mainland Asia yet!
I have the HAMRS QSO map but not sure how to show it!
Lovely park and great history!
73,
Randy, KS4L
Wow, I am jealous of his ham radio lifestyle.
Boy-I feel sorry for Lawrence. I’ve been a ham since the 1970’s and the great majority of my activity has been outdoor QRP with many other enthusiasts. To me this has been the best and healthiest aspect of the hobby. Getting outside and moving rather than sitting for hours in a shack is to me so much more rewarding. Plus actually this whole trend has spurred major technical innovation in radios and associated equipment such as smaller more efficient radios, batteries, antennas and many other accessories. And it’s radically increased the participation of younger people, and the explosion of CW , which is exactly what we need for growth of our hobby. And also POTA in particular has dramatically increased the numbers of active contacts in all modes and band activity. Today (5/10) I spent tromping around the Tillamook, OR state forest, helping to do comms for a 50 mile trail run and POTA in between. I can’t imagine a more enjoyable experience.. I hope all of us can enjoy this hobby similarly. I’m also looking forward to connecting with many of my friends at FDIM next week!