Summer is Gone!

 

Well I have been very busy this summer, haven't had time to get out and operate from the field much at all.  When you have loads of grandkids, and loads of family, there is only so much you can do in the summer that doesn't involve everyone.  It's been a GREAT summer.  

Our prayers were answered this summer when both of my brothers in law survived cancer.  They are both just about back to being 100% themselves again, chemotherapy was very hard on them both but the surgeries have been successful and it is great having them around and feeling better. 

Our great grandson will be turning one year old this month, and he is a pure joy to have around.  To make it even better, our great granddaughter will be born this month as well. On top of that we have a niece that we love bunches getting married this month.  So it's a busy October to say the least. 

Also after much discussion with my wife, and family, I will be retiring the first of January and entering full blown geezerhood.  I was afraid when I told my employer, they would possibly just let me go but they are grateful that I am staying until the end of the year.  Worked out well for all involved.  So as of now I have about 12 more Mondays left...it's exciting! 

Had some bad news this summer, my cousin Steve Fitzpatrick over in Ohio, came down with bone cancer in his hip.  The cancer was very aggressive, and unfortunately it took his life in July.  Steve had been married to his loving wife for 43 years, they had two children and seven grandchildren.  He was only 63 years old and had been the owner operator of a home improvement business for decades.  He spent many years as a Boy Scout leader, his son earned the rank of Eagle about the same time one of my sons earned his.  In his community he was known for his honesty, integrity, and his incredible work ethic.  He and his wife owned property along the Ohio river in West Virginia, it was Steve's happy place and he enjoyed nothing more than when his family would come to camp and play in the river with him.  We had some great times as kids, didn't get in much trouble but man did we have some laughs.   Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

The weather finally cooled down and it quit raining, it was super nice Tuesday night, and I had not been to a POTA park in three months.  So when work ended at 4PM, I jumped in the Trailblazer Truckster and headed to Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area...good old US-4183 in POTA parlance.  I flat forgot to take any pictures but I worked 40m with the Eagle One hitch mounted vertical on 40m, and the Elecraft KX-2 at 10w and in about 45 minutes I had twenty CW contacts in the log.   The one Park to Park I had with VE7SRF was on 20m. 

09/30/25 - POTA from Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area US-4183 

Then today, all day I was staring out the window while working and dreaming of being anywhere but at my desk.  When 4PM rolled around, I grabbed my kit and jumped in the trusty but never rusty POTA Mobile and headed back to Atterbury. 

My setup tonight looked like this: 

POTA Mobile, ready for action

Tip top of the Eagle One vertical...10m high

Teal Marsh Area at Atterbury....BUG free since the water is dried up! 

My future is so bright, I have to wear those shades. 

I got 17 more CW contacts tonight, the best part was six of them were Park to Park contacts.   I worked operators that were in parks located in Ohio, Quebec, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, and Indiana.  Colorado was probably my furthest contact this evening, also my power tonight was five watts instead of ten due to a battery in the radio almost being dead. 

Contact Map for 10/02/25 at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area

Well that's it for now.  12 more Mondays and I get to be retired!!! 

73 de KB9BVN

Brian