Blue Mountain, SOTA W4V/SH-030
Summit Information: Summit Name: Blue Mountain, W4V/SH-030 Location: Thompson Wildlife Management Area Latitude: 38.9565 , Longitude: -78.0239 Date: December 8th, 2018 Points: 4 County: Fauquier Grid: FM08XW Wx: 20°F; 5mph; Partly Sunny On a Scale of 1 to 5Hiking:...
That time I fought the National Park Police
***Note: all the memes were generated by fellow NPOTA friends During the National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event during 2016, I visited many different national parks throughout the US. During one visit, however things got a little out of hand. This is what I posted on...
Parks on the Air Demo Follow up Report
I was recently asked by the President of the Washington, DC radio club (W3HAC) to give a brief presentation/demo on the popular Parks on the Air (POTA) program and some tips on portable radio operating. We met up at Rock Creek Park, which is very beautiful and hidden...
Special Event: Parks on the Air Demo in Washington, DC
Please join the HacDC Amateur Radio Club for a SPECIAL EVENT PRESENTATION occurring on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 2:00 PM in Rock Creek Park, in Washington, DC. Stuart Thomas / KB1HQS will be our very special guest. During the 2016 ARRL National Parks on the Air...
SOTA: 9 North Carolina Activations in 4 days
My article published in the May 2017 QST Magazine:
NPOTA Activation: Harpers Ferry
We escape hurricane Mathew and head to Harpers Ferry, WV for several NPOTA activations.
Published Articles & Media
Ham Radio 360 NPOTA Podcast Interview: ARRL Operating Manual 11th Edition I wrote an article on tips, tricks and techniques for portable operating. QST Magazine, November 2016 Gear review on the...
I attended the Dayton Hamfest and threw my Elecraft KX3 in the trash
Ever since I have heard about ham radio and hamfests, there has always been whisperings of the “mecca” of all hamfests: Dayton. For my non-amateur radio friends reading this, let me describe the “hamfest” experience. As a youngster, my Old Man dragged me along to...
Gear Review: Packtenna Mini Portable HF Antenna
QST Packtenna Review Article
Guest NPOTA Activator Appearance!
One of the many awesome facets of amateur radio is that you get to meet a large variety of people of various backgrounds and locations from all around the world. While activating Yorktown NP in SE Virginia, I met up with another NPOTA activator, Ruth KM4LAO. She...
Make your own Activator NPOTA Notebook
How to make your own NPOTA activator notebook: Throughout the year as I have been activating National Parks, I have found it is helpful to have all my NPOTA designator data and NPS handouts organized in an easy to access format. Items needed: One (1) 3-ring binder One...
The Great NC/SC SOTA/NPOTA Trip: 7/17/16- 7/19/16
Getting out of the heat and heading down to western NC (south of Asheville) to activate several NPOTA/SOTA sites. Hopefully the 6000 feet elevation will cool things off a bit. Schedule will be fluid as the trip down is pretty far from DC (8 hrs). No whining on...
Valley Forge NP
Valley Forge National Historical Park Valley Forge Nation Historical Park (HP46) is located in southern Pennsylvania and an easy park to access. Activation Date: January 19th 2016 When I arrived it was empty and I had the whole parking lot to myself. I stopped by the...
NPOTA Info
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (TR03)
40 Meters 20 Meters 10 Meters To see individual contacts, click on date interested in: Callsign QSO date QSO start time Band Mode Country RST Rcvd Notes KA4EMH 3/4/2016 18:39:56 40m SSB United States 59 TR03 N8HSD 3/4/2016 18:54:11 20m SSB United States 57 TR03 WA9HED...
Star Spangled Banner NHT
The Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (TR22) that I activated was located in Virginia at Jones Point near the Potomac River. I did a double activation with the George Washington Memorial Parkway (PK02). I also activated from Riverside park, which is located...
Appalachian Trail (TR01)
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (TR01), or “AT” as it is commonly known, starts in Georgia ends at the summit of Mt. Khatadin, Maine. With a route of over 2,200 miles it is one of most hiked trails in America. The AT is a popular long distance trail for “thru”...
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historic Park
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historic Park (HP06) is located at the end of Interstate 66 near Meadow Mills. The park was closed so I operated in the parking lot and made 11 contacts on 20m with 10 Watts (mobile operation). This was one of three parks I was...
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Eisenhower National Historic Site Location: Pennsylvania Activation Date: January 17th, 2016 Contacts: 14 contacts on 20M Phone; 10W *Mobile operation This site, NPOTA #NS13 is kind of an unusual one as you can’t visit the buildings unless you buy a pass from the...
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park (MP03) is in southern PA and is an incredible park both in history and size. It seems to dwarf the town of Gettysburg. There is something surreal about standing in the middle of a historical battlefield and seeing a drugstore and fast...