ACØPR, ham radio blog: POTA K-6078 Fort Pearce 1st Activation CW Back to QRP

The Fort as the sun peeks through

This was next on my list of first activations to be completed in the area I live. It's out in the desert, but I passed by it a few times doing SOTA summits, so knew exactly where the turn off was and what it would be like. It was cloudy with a small chance of rain, so cooler than normal thankfully. I had one whole activation going a full 100 watts--it was one of the tougher, longer activations, so I went back to what I like and know--4-5 watts QRP.

In the area:

There are a number of trails for dirt bikes, ATV's and such out in that area of the desert, but the Fort is to the side of all that, so unless someone wanted to actually see it, I wouldn't run across anyone--and didn't the whole time I was there. The skies all around were dark, but it didn't look like too heavy rain

and not right where I was, so after a few photos I started getting set up.

I thought about leaning the mast on the fort itself, but thought that might be "disrespectful" of a historical area. I was just using my fishing pole mast, so I didn't need a lot of support, so I just used a chest-high bush. It wasn't long before I was ready. I just sat on my pad by the bush and looked to see if I could spot myself. There was no cell coverage at all so I would have to rely on the Reverse Beacon Network.

On the radio:

It didn't take to long for my signal to be picked up and posted on RBN and right after I got my first contact. The following ones came in relatively slowly, but it wasn't too bad. I changed bands a couple of times. There was the Kansas QSO Party so a few more signals around than normal. I did keep a close eye on the clouds as I was going along. At times there would be a drop or two, but nothing to make me stop or pack up.

I was really close when I decided to just go to 40m and work some of the QSO Party stations that were coming in well but not busy. My last two contacts were contest stations who heard me fine. Right about then it started to actually rain, not just a drop. I took a few quick last pictures and packed up--I had 11 QSO's and had been successful with another first time activation. Plus it was 10am. It wasn't hot at all with the clouds and rain, but I was ready. Another good one.

I will say it took about half the time to activate this one as the last one (with the WRC vertical and 100 watts). While I would still need to experiment more to see the difference, it seems pretty apparent that my normal QRP setup with my own homebrew antenna works better than the commercial vertical. I'm not sorry I have it, but I'm glad I have a proven method I can continue with.

(No video for this activation)

Call	Date / Time	Bnd	Frequency	Mode	ST	POTA	Rec	Snt
WA7LNW	8/29/2020 14:30	20	14.059	CW	UT	K-6078	559	599
KO4SB	8/29/2020 14:39	20	14.059	CW	AL	K-6078	399	599
VE3LDT	8/29/2020 14:45	20	14.059	CW	ON	K-6078	449	559
W7OM	8/29/2020 14:54	40	7.041	CW	WA	K-6078	599	599
N4EX	8/29/2020 15:09	20	14.059	CW	NC	K-6078	549	599
W4WYD	8/29/2020 15:12	20	14.059	CW	TN	K-6078	559	599
WA5SOG	8/29/2020 15:16	20	14.06	CW	AR	K-6078	559	559
WA7LNW	8/29/2020 15:31	30	10.111	CW	UT	K-6078	579	599
AA5UZ	8/29/2020 15:33	30	10.111	CW	LA	K-6078	339	579
W0S	8/29/2020 15:39	40	7.033	CW	KS	K-6078	599	599
N0Q	8/29/2020 15:49	40	7.039	CW	KS	K-6078	599	599