Another day in the 70's

 

Cikana State Fish Hatchery  US-12023 

Headed down to Cikana State FIsh Hatchery this afternoon, it was a beautiful day, 77 degrees and heading up to about 82 by the end of the today. Never mind that we have severe weather and a cold front moving in late this evening.  High tomorrow is predicted to be in the 40's.  It's opening day for Major League Baseball, and I am listening to the Cincinnati Reds playing the Red Sox while working on this post.  Being of the age that I am, and a lifelong Reds fan, opening day is a great day, it means summer is just around the corner. It won't be too much longer!  

Today I was operating from the picnic table near the entrance of the location.  The gear today was the Elecraft KX-2 radio at 10 watts, and the Alex Loop magnetic loop antenna and my key was a 3d printed key held together with black plastic electrical tape.  This location is in Morgan County, and right off State Road 44 just east of I-69 and just north of Martinsville. 

Brian KB9BVN having a relaxing POTA activation

One of many ponds where the DNR raise game fish for the state lakes and parks 

My infamous magnetic loop antenna 

I got started at 16:55Z (12:55PM EDT)...and it took a few minutes before I got the first contact from KG1A down in Florida.  The 20 meter band was weird today.  The contacts would come one right after another for about five minutes, then nothing for 15 minutes or so.  The signals were very up and down...going from full strength to almost dead quiet...and then coming back after a minute or two.  We've had a pretty big solar storm this week but I though that was all done by now, I guess not. 

I worked the radio for a solid hour and managed to contact 12 different states and 21 total contacts. Longest contacts were Arizona and Wyoming, and then out to Maine for a couple.  Did not work any stations outside of the US today.  You can see the map below. 

7 Florida Contacts today! 

Tomorrow will be cold again, but the cold front should be gone by early next week. I hope to get out again.  Gasoline around here is over $4.00 a gallon now....so won't be going too far from home.

73 de KB9BVN
Brian