Return To Kwomais Point Park

In> was in Kwomais Point Park last month to operate my radio in the parks on the air, it was newly added to the list and we wanted to be the first to activate it. The park has facilities, lots of grassy areas and plenty of shade trees. It also had convenient walking paths and is quite level. All very good conditions for stretching out a radio antenna. I decided it would be a good spot for the club members to come and practice with their go kits so I organized a date and planned to help each member who came to set up their gear.

I arrived a bit before noon and scouted the park for a nice spot to use for the day. I selected a large grassy area next to the parking area and which had a lovely shade tree and was a bit off the main walking routes. There I dragged out a table I had brought and then carried my go kit to the table. I placed my seat so I could watch the parking area and then I waited. Very soon Ken (VE7HI) drove in and wandered over. He was just stopping in for a short visit. We had a nice chat and then he was off to operate in a straight key contest at 1pm. As things were quiet, I decided to set up my own go kit.

Soon I had the antenna strung and the radio laid out on the table. I immediately started having people who were wandering by come over to ask about the activity.  The visitors all were quite impressed with what could be achieved with such a simple set up. Still no other club members had arrived so I decided to start operating and activating the park in POTA. A bit after 1pm Ralph made it, he had warned me he would not be able to get there before 1. I continued with some more contacts and then let him make some CW contacts. The bands were in good shape and 15m was working well for me.

After around 8 contacts Ralph stopped and we chatted for a while before he set out. I was still there waiting for other club members but they never came. I made some more 15m contacts and then tried 10m. The band was actually working well and I managed a couple stations in Tennessee and another in Kentucky.

It was closing in on 3pm and still no other members made it out so I decided to close down and set out for home. It was a very good activation for POTA with 30 contacts. The bands were working well, the park location is a nice convenient one. The day was warm and pleasant. If only all activations were so helpful. Being close to home and with a convenient ambience  I expect to be back here on a regular basis.