It was 8C and raining when I woke up today, not the best way to start a day. The daily propagation wasn't any better either, the SFI=71, SN=11, A Index=5, and the K Index=3. Not exactly the best of conditions to be outside playing QRP portable radio!
But, outside I went, and within a few minutes I was at the first of three POTA Parks I activated this morning. All three of the parks were added to the POTA system only this week, and had never been activated before.
The first location, VE-5143, Marshland Conservation Area, was pretty much deserted which was a good thing as the parking lot isn't very big. Amazingly it took exactly 12 minutes to get the ten contacts necessary for a good activation. Within minutes of being spotted I had a huge pileup coming at me.
It took 15 minutes to get 16 contacts in my log at this location. This is a huge parking lot with plenty of room to spread out. It was busy though today with families getting some much needed exercise during the Covid-19 restrictions we're currently living under.
Nobody bothered me at this location, a few people walked past and had a look to see what all the noise was about, but that was it.
The final location was VE-5142, Parrott's Bay Conservation Area. The rain had decided to stop the downpour by now and was just a light drizzle which eventually stopped. In 20 minutes I put another 19 contacts in the log.
The equipment I used today was my Elecraft KX3 at 10 watts, and a 40m Hamstick mounted on a mag-mount on the roof of the van. I did try 80m and 20m but didn't have any luck on those bands, so 40m was the go-to spot.
I received mostly very good signal reports, but I also got a couple of not so good reports. Overall I was very happy with the results and am planning my next POTA adventure.
Stay safe out there!
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