I got setup by 10:15 and tore down one hour later with 22 contacts in the log. Running the CW KX2/Eagle One combo at about 8 watts today. Managed California, New Hampshire, Quebec, to Texas. Log has been uploaded. I think I had 5 P2P's today. BTW this is the third activation in about 5 days with this KX2 and internal battery...time to put it on the charger, I always have a backup battery just in case.
Indiana QRP
Flying Pig QRP Club Field Day at Caesar Creek State Park Ohio - 2006
Saturday, September 7, 2024
I saw an Eagle today!
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
It's STILL summer! Act like it!
At US-4183 Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area |
The temperature was an unusual mid 70's for this time of year, I was setup in the shade at the Mallard Marsh location and had quite a nice view. Had to move my setup a time or time to stay in the shade.
I wrapped it up at about 12:30PM and packed up. My next stop was at Blue Heron Park in Franklin Indiana. Blue Heron is not a POTA park, it is a city park. My wife and I go there to walk to trails and get some exercise. So I decided to stop there and take a hike, of two miles. It was such a beautiful day.
I managed to work NY, OK, NJ, AR, FL, WI, NC, CT, and GA all on 20m. The band conditions were only slightly better than yesterday. Solar Flare Index was 238, Sunspot Number was down to 133, but the A Index was still high at 8, and the K Index was down to 2.
Monday, July 1, 2024
Atterbury Fish and Wildlife - No Skunk!
Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area - US-4183 |
So after I got off work today, I loaded up the gear and headed to the scene of the skunking I got in April. Today was upper 70's, sunny, with a slight breeze...for July this is what we call perfect weather to be outside.
I arrived at about 4:45PM and was setup and on the air by 5PM. I'm getting good at setting up and tearing down quickly. I still use a written checklist when loading back up to make sure I don't leave anything in the park. It's happened.
Happy Camper |
KX2 Radio and Eagle One Vertical Antenna with a small hand key |
Stone Arch Lake and Ominous Clouds |
All Packed up and Ready to Leave |
So on the way out today I decided to drive through the area and go over by Camp Atterbury. Camp Atterbury at one time was a prisoner of war camp for Italian and a few German soldiers during World War II. Currently it is an army camp where we train our troops, and foreign troops.
This is my dad. Sgt Major William J Murrey, retired. He served in the US Army and later in the Indiana National Guard. He passed away in January 2016 at the age of 79. Pop was assigned to Camp Atterbury for a number of years.My kids went to Cub Scout Day Camp at the park next to Camp Atterbury, and my dad and a couple other guys showed up in Humvees and took the kids on some Humvee rides, and let them get a good look at the dining facilities at Camp Atterbury, I believe they were even permitted use of the on base pool as well. This had to be 35 years ago, and those kids still talk about that to this day. So I like to go to Atterbury to operate for POTA, I kind of feel a connection here. Dad was a true patriot, loved his family, loved his country, and served the Lord.
Veterans Memorial at Camp Atterbury |
Before I left the property entirely, I stopped at the Camp Atterbury Veterans Memorial Park for a look around.
Open from Sunrise to Sunset |
Huey Helicopter UH-1M Iroquois - Used in Vietnam |
Lots of old military vehicles in the Memorial Park |
I walked around the Memorial Park for about 45 minutes looking at all the vintage equipment they have on permanent display. When it was time to go I drove back over by the lake and found this little duck family enjoying a early evening swim.
Until next time!
de KB9BVN
Walk for the Bacon Slo-Code Sprint
Once again it is time for the Flying Pigs QRP Club International to run their world famous 40m Walk for the Bacon Slo-Code Sprint!
Whether you're a new CW operator or a long time CW operator, the Walk for the Bacon Sprint is enjoyable fun for everyone.
The sprint is held the first Wednesday and Thursday of the month.
All logging is done on the autologger.
https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk40/
This month it is:
Evening of Wednesday July 3rd at 00:00Z to
01:00Z on 40m 7050 Khz to 7065 Khz
and the evening of Thursday July 4th at 02:00Z to
03:00Z on 40m 7050 Khz to 7065 Khz.
This is a slow code sprint, please set your keyer or your fist to no
faster than 13 wpm, and please QRS to match speeds.
If you need a Flying Pig QRP Club International number, you can
click on the word MEMBERSHIP at the bottom of the home page. You do NOT need to be a Flying Pig club member to participate!
https://fpqrp.org
No dues
No rules
Just fun
We hope to see you there!
de KB9BVN
Brian
FP -57
Sunday, June 30, 2024
US-4215 Morgan Monroe State Forest
Sunday, April 28, 2024
I got Skunked Today...
KB9BVN here with my latest POTA report. It skunked. This is the very first time I have been skunked on a POTA outing. It was a very warm and breezy day, with a few sprinkles for good measure. Today I tried a new spot, new to me at least. Coyote Marsh at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area, or in POTA terms US-4183.
My mission was to mount the AX1 antenna in to a "puck" that was made for me by Bruce N9DBJ last fall. It allows you to screw in three aluminum legs, the AX1 goes right in the middle and there are places to connect ground radials with alligator clips or banana plugs. So I got the antenna mounted in the center of the puck, attached the coax, and spread out two radials about 30 foot each in length. AX was set to 20m so that is where I decided to start. What I did not know was the band was not in very good shape at the moment. I saw this SSN:126 SFI:153 A:12 K:1 when I got home. A index over 5 or 6 makes it challenging to say the least. What I did hear, I could just barely hear. I even turned it up to 10 watts...and got no takers on 20m, 17m, or 15m.
AX1 mounted on the N9DBJ Puck |
My SUV with AX1 sitting on top. |
I made zero contacts, for the first time ever. The skunk was in the boat.
My empty Log Book - Nothing sadder. |
So as the wind picked up, and it started to sprinkle, I just packed it up. Did some scouting for edible mushrooms, found none, found some interesting garbage left behind, all in all a good day to be outdoors.
73 de KB9BVN
Brian