by Micah (N4MJL)

As a junior pilot on the seniority list at American Airlines, it was no surprise to me when my May schedule had me flying all of Memorial Day weekend.

Fortunately, it was a pleasant surprise to see that I had a decent overnight in Portland, Maine. I was scheduled for 15 hours on the ground in Portland, and I was determined to make the most of it. I have overnighted in Portland many times over the last decade, but the overnight was either too short, too cold, or I was too lazy to try to do a POTA activation.

My schedule had me landing in Portland at 23:30 the night prior, and my van time for leaving the hotel to head back to the airport the next day was scheduled at 14:30. It was going to be tight, but I was determined to get a POTA activation completed.

Looking at Google Maps, my hotel location in downtown Portland, was only 4.5 miles from Mackworth Island State Park (US-2395). I knew that I would be able to Uber out to the park, but I wasn’t completely sure about getting back. I decided that worst case scenario, I could walk 4.5 miles in about 1.5 hours back to my hotel.

My window to be on the air was going to be from 0900 to 1200. That would leave me enough time to walk back to my hotel if a return Uber did not work out, and still give me enough time to get showered and looking pretty in my uniform before flying.

I had a workable plan, so it was time to go give it a try.

I woke up early Memorial Day, packed my radio gear, and summoned an Uber. I had the Uber drop me off at the beginning of the bridge heading out to the state park. It was an absolutely beautiful day. I was just hoping the solar storms that have been hitting us would allow me to get at least 10 contacts in the 3 hour window I had available.

The trail around the perimeter of the Island is amazing and already pretty busy for 0930 in the morning. I realized that even if I didn’t activate the park, it was still worth coming out here. I headed up the trail around the north side of the island. The further I walked, I started to worry that I would not find a good place out of the way to hang my wire antenna in a tree. I did not feel comfortable about going off the established trail in such a beautiful and busy park.

I could use my KH1 in pedestrian mobile configuration, but due to the recent solar conditions I would not be as confident in getting my 10 contacts using the whip antenna.

Finally I came to the perfect spot where I knew that it would be acceptable to get off the trail.

Mackworth Island Community Village for fairies!!!

That’s right a village for fairies! In fact they wanted you to get off the trail and build houses for the Fairies. I figured the fairies would not complain if I hung an antenna in a tree here.

I hiked among the evergreen trees and fairy houses until I found the perfect tree to hang my Packtenna random wire. Please forgive my shameless selfie, but I am a Millennial after all.

The big tree in the background of my selfie, has a hobbit hole at the base of its trunk, and It’s large limbs made a great spot to throw my wire antenna without fear of snagging my antenna/throw line.

My Elecraft KH-1 goes everywhere I go. It has activated the bulk of My 85 unique parks and 21 different states.

I called CQ for 1 hour and 22 minutes and I was rewarded by 15 contacts, from 11 different states on 3 different bands with 2 park to parks: 4Qs on 40M, 4Qs on 30M, and 7Qs on 20M.

I still had plenty of time to play radio, but sitting on the hard ground for over an hour was starting to be uncomfortable. I still had a long day of flying ahead of me, and I wanted to see more of this beautiful park.

I quickly packed up my radio equipment and said good by to my fairy friends. I completed walking the loop trail around the island and headed back across the bridge connecting the park to the main land. The island has a small parking lot, and it was completely full by the time I left. Cars were lining up on the bridge outside the park just waiting for their turn to get a parking spot.

Here is a short video of my set up for this activation.

I have plans for several more radio activations in different states. I do bounce across the US often, and I try to do a POTA activation whenever I have the chance. So don’t be surprised if you see me on the west coast one week, and Puerto Rico the next day. Hint, hint!

72 and thanks for hunting!
De N4MJL