This summer of 2023 has been a bit brutal on many of the HF bands. Lately, I have been going to the park in the evening and working the greyline. That has paid off. Around 4pm Pacific time 23z, 20m as well as other bands seem to open more.
Yesterday I went out to activate K-3424 Ice Age Geological Trail in Oregon. I arrived at the park and was set up and on the air by 23:17 UTC. Fearing I would not reach 10 contacts by 00z, I pushed through several mini pileups. I usually like to chat with folks. Catch up with hunters and other activators. But since I was nearing the 00z I spent less time being chatty. I wanted to get as many hunters in the old day as I could. Then in the new day slow down the pace a bit.
20m started off getting 37 contacts in the log before the day change. Mary, KC3HMB was last in the log for the day and first in the log for the next day. This was the first time I got her in the log too. It has been a while since I got EC1R , Alfonso, from Spain in my log. But I also got EA1GIB, Manuel, from Spain in the log too. Almost back to back. I love when those openings happen. And good to get some DX in the log.
Not often I get a couple of stations from Florida in my log. But yesterday, I had 6 in the log. That was pretty cool. There is much more POTA activity in Canada this year. Very good to see the increase in hunters and activators up there.
After the 00z, I was able to chat more with folks. Conditions were changing a bit, so some of the weaker stations I had to rush through to get in the log. I started the new day on 20m. When it slowed, I dropped down to 40m. The time of day here in the PNW is during rush hour and dinner time. So there was not a lot of contacts. But those that I made were very welcomed. Nice to get more PNW folks in the log. K7CAN, Mike in Idaho is difficult to get in the log on 20m. But dropping to 40m , it was a success. KK7HGV, Jacob , has been maritime mobile the past couple of contacts. In February on 10m and April on 20m, he was in Southern Baja. Yesterday, he hunted me on 40m and was near the Olympic Peninsula. He had traveled from Baja to Hawaii. Then to the PNW where he lives. That was really cool to get him on three different bands.
I used the IC 7300. 10.6 amp hours of battery consumed. 100w. 17' BD7 whip with WRC Sporty Forty (shorted out for 20m) on triple mag mount on the roof of my truck.
It is always nice to get some of my regular hunters and POTA friends in the log. AJ5C, Bob, VA5MUD, Wes, K7CAN, Mike, VE7NB, Robbie, K2JWD, Mel, K6YYL, Kim, N3XLS, Joe, AD2CD, Tobi is getting in my log more lately :) , NA7X, Carl, thanks for the antenna info. I know I am missing folks. Every contact is special to me.
Thank you to all the hunters and activators.
W7RTA - Charlie
