I Couldn't Resist...

What a great day to be out playing POTA. It was a beautiful clear sunny day, with the temperature hovering around 4C (39F). You don't get many of these days at this time of year here.....so off to the park I went.

Parrott's Bay is pretty quiet this time of year, you get the odd dog walker, but that's about it. The cold wind coming in off Lake Ontario keeps most people safe in their warm homes.

The propagation wasn't too bad either, the SFI=121, SN=74, A Index=8, and the K Index=1. There was lot's of QSB though. We're expecting similar propagation in the morning as well.

After looking at POTA Spots I decided to start on 15m SSB. It was a good decision as I managed to get 19 contacts in the log on that band, followed by another 2 contacts on 10m. 

The DX was excellent as well. First up was Juan, HI8JCD. He was followed by OE4JHW, OE4MXB, F5NZO, DL1SWB, EA2KP, and EA3HAB. Not too bad for a 10w QRP station!

The main reason for today's activation was to make sure my equipment is ready for tomorrow's VA3KS Memorial Event. I made sure to charge all of my batteries when I returned home, and all is ready for the great adventure tomorrow. The only down side is that the weather forecast has changed, and snow mixed with rain is now expected in the morning.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There.

Sunday on the Air...

I was not going to go out and activate today as the forecasted propagation was supposed to be pretty bad. So I thought about it for a short while and thought, "what the heck, let's go give it a try". You know what they say, "A day playing radio is better than doing the honey do list".

Wow, what a surprise I had, it was a good move to go to Lemoine Point Conservation Area!

The propagation numbers were not spectacular, but seemed to be decent enough.  They were: SFI=156, SN=80, A Index=36, and the K Index=2. Lot's of bad QSB about as well.

I chose to start on 10m, not a band I use a lot, but it's that time of year when it starts to get active. Did I pick a good time to get on that band! In the first 6 minutes of the activation I worked: OS8D, PR8ZX, F4HJO, EA8CTF, and GM4VYQ. Not too shabby for 10w and a Hamstick!

After a while I moved to 15m and worked EA8DQP, EA8ED, EA3HAB, and EA2EZ. It was definitely a day to speak Spanish. I certainly didn't expect to work 3 stations from the Canary Islands. It just shows you, just get out there and call CQ, you never know who's going to answer your call.

I know there were other DX stations calling me, but they were under my noise floor and I just could not pull them out of the noise. I hate disappointing people, but I just couldn't get them in the log.

It may be a few days before I get out again, we have a series of heavy rain days coming in, starting tomorrow, so I'll hunker down and get some things done around the house before winter hits properly.

The hour I had available to play radio passed pretty quickly, but it was a good day with another 24 in the log.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!