Better than I Expected...

I have to admit the bands were in far better shape than what I had been led to believe by yesterday's propagation numbers. 15m was the money band.

I've actually been sick the last few days with the flu, and a very bad cough, so I really wasn't planning on going out to do a POTA activation.....but there we were, rocking it!

The propagation numbers were: SFI=135, SN=82, A Index=4 and the K Index=2. The QSB was bad and S9 signals completely disappeared in seconds leading to a pile of missed contacts.

First in the log was Etienne OS8D in Belgium, followed by SP8DJY, SQ2HEN, F5NZO, and OE4JHW. Not too bad for mid-morning on 15m.

I finished the activation with 5 CW contacts, all on 20m. It was a good morning and I'm glad I decided to go.

It'll be a few days before I'm ready to go out again though, I want the weather and temperatures to improve first, and my throat needs to heal.

Here's the contact map:

Stay Safe Out There.

Plans for 2026...

Here we are in 2026 and wondering what surprises this year will bring - and given the current state of the world, who knows what will happen.

I've been spending a few days making my amateur radio plans for this year, such as continuing my QRP operating, regardless of our place in the solar cycle and continuing my portable operations.

I'm still doing my "do my own thing" agenda that I started in 2017. I'm doing what I want to, when I want to do it....on my time and my space. It's a healthy "no stress" way of living, and I feel a lot better for it...and of course the older you get the better that approach is for you.

I want to restart my weekend morning QRP activities, and hopefully I can get them restarted as soon as the temperatures come out of single digits and the snow/ice disappears from the local POTA operating locations. These activities will be open to other local hams who want to join me. This is an extremely relaxing time for me, just a great way to spend a quiet morning...you guys should try it.

Plans are still being made to take part in Winter & Summer Field Days, the ILLW, and the US Island QSO Party. These have become staples in my yearly operating calendar, as have the four annual Support Your Park events for POTA.

This year I'm also planning another long road trip back home to the West Coast....I'm calling it the "Ultimate Odyssey Tour 2026" - 31 days, 10,500 km, and 52 POTA Parks, including 11 ATNO's. This will in all probability be my last solo trip home....The "Boss" has spoken.

The truck is still ready to go as I didn't remove the bed or storage racks from the last trip of last year. I've just got to clean the camping equipment, and the back of the truck, and I should be ready to roll. Hopefully I will have better weather than I had in 2024.

And as usual I look forward to writing about my adventures...or the lack thereof!

Stay Safe Out There!

First of the Year...

The first activation of 2026 happened this morning and conditions were not too bad. Lemoine Point, CA-5141, was fairly deserted when I got there, which I fully expected after the large snowfall we had yesterday....in fact it's still snowing.

15m SSB was the "go-to" band today, lots of activity there....as well as the now traditional tuner-upper and whistlers. I did try 10m and 17m but had no luck there.

First in the log today was Stuart, M0TTQ, followed by OS8D and GW0RQC. To be honest, I didn't expect any DX today given the band conditions, so these three were a nice surprise. I handed out a good number of S9 signal reports and received in return S5 to S9, so the hamstick was working well, and the 10w was definitely getting out and doing its job.

Propagation was: SFI=166, SN=124, A Index=24, and the K Index=2. There was some QSB, but not enough to worry about. The temperature was a rather frigid -16C (3F).

I have a new rule starting this year, any antenna I use on an activation that takes more than 10 minutes to erect, will not be used. I'm no longer "faffing" about with them, and for the most part my experience with them is that they don't work any better than my hamsticks do. I will therefore be in stealth mode for most of my activations. 

All-in-all a good start to 2026, and let's hope it gets better from here!

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!

Here Comes 2026...

There were some great amateur radio adventures during 2025 including both Winter & Summer Field Days, many park activations, Chillycon, as well as activating a few islands in late summer.

I have ended the year with over 5300 new QSO's in my logbook, 219 POTA activations, 47 new POTA parks activated, two island activations a lighthouse all successfully completed, as well as 36 DX Countries worked, and I had a total blast doing it all.

My 2026 plans are still being thrown together, I'm guessing it won't be a quiet year....and I may just be able to top my 2025 activity list. Among other things, I do have plans for both Winter and Summer Field Days, and Chillycon once again.  I'm looking at a month long road trip that is currently in the early planning stages to activate some new (to me) POTA Parks, and SOTA Summits, a bit further afield. 

One plan from last year that never happened was doing Summer Field Day from Northern Ontario. That plan will carry over into 2026 from last year.....As Baldrick would say: "I have a cunning plan".

And finally, a big THANK YOU to all my readers and visitors here, I really appreciate you dropping in.

Stay Safe Out There!!

Merry Christmas...

May peace, happiness and goodwill be with you and your family not only on Christmas, 
but throughout the year and beyond. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year for 2026.

Last Activation Before Christmas?...

The question today is: "Can I go 5 days without doing a POTA activation?".....probably not, but I'm going to try. However, given the incoming weather and propagation forecasts for the next week it may be easier than I think.

This morning I drove to Lemoine Point and did a quiet activation there. It was nice and quiet, I suspect most of the usual walkers and dog people are busy doing their Christmas shopping, and have no time for exercise.

Propagation today was: SFI=118, SN=47, A Index=6, and the K Index=1. There was also no sign of any QSB today.

First in the log today was John, K8ELS, from Huntington, WV. Interestingly, John is the third generation of his family to have that callsign. Both his Grandfather and his Dad had it before him. I can't imagine that there are many third generation callsigns out there.

John was also operating QRP, 5w SSB. He had a fantastic signal, a solid S9 into my location. I was using my KX3 at 10w into my usual hamstick antenna. I used both 40m and 15m today, and managed to get 15 contacts in the log. 

The only DX contact today was with Gaspar, KP4GSC, in Puerto Rico, he managed to work me on 15m SSB with a nice S9 signal.

Here's today's contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!

Nice Day...

Thursday was a nice day around here....for a change. Gone were the negative temperatures, and just to be different we had a positive temperature, with no snow or freezing rain falling from the heavens. It was time to go and activate a park!

I have a choice of two, very close, local parks, Lemoine Point and Parrott's Bay. The last time I was at Parrott's Bay the parking lot was a total mess due to not being plowed after a large snow fall, and I thought that might be the last activation there for the winter as it was turning to solid ice. Well.....unusually for this time of the year they finally got around to cleaning out the lot, so it was off there for a quick activation. 

First up was Gary, VA3GHB, in Halliburton, with a nice S7 SSB signal, and thirteen contacts later I shut down. All contacts were made on 40m with my KX3 and a Hamstick.

Propagation was SFI=119, SN=75, A Index=18, and the K Index=3. I didn't notice any QSB which made for a nice activation. There are a few more days coming up where the weather looks half decent enough to get out and play radio in a park. I can't see travelling too far from home given the uncertainty of the weather patterns we seem to be having. But it will be nice to get away from the noise and Christmas rush, and just relax with the KX3.

Here'e the contact map:

Stay Warm and Safe Out There!

10m Contest...

ARRL 10-Meter Contest is this weekend starting on Saturday, December 14 at 0000 UTC, and concluding on Sunday, December 15 at 2359 UTC. 

Stations may contact any other station, regardless of location, using CW and phone.

The Rules can be found HERE.

I'm hoping to get on for a few hours over the weekend. It's been a long time since I took part in this contest, but this year it looks pretty good propagation wise.

Good Luck, have fun out there, and Stay Safe!!