A Sunny Day Activation at K-1518 Maybury State Park

On the crisp afternoon of November 12, 2023, with the sun casting a golden glow over the landscape and temperatures reaching a comfortable 55 degrees Fahrenheit, I set off for an enjoyable Parks on the Air (POTA) activation before the evening's South Lyon Area Amateur Radio Club meeting.

The Perfect Setup at Hickory Shelter

Maybury State Park, near Northville, MI, welcomed me through its Eight Mile Road entrance. I made my way to the spacious Hickory Shelter, a favorite spot of mine nestled beside the woods, with the added convenience of a restroom and proximity to the parking lot.

The Gear

The setup process was swift, with my Yaesu FT-891 and the Packtenna End Fed Half Wave Antenna with a 40m extension soon reaching into the sky in an inverted V configuration, centered around the Sotabeam Carbon Fiber 6 mast. One end of the antenna was secured to the shelter pylon and the other to a tree branch. Despite the ideal setup, the bustling foot traffic near the shelter posed the risk of passersby tripping over my equipment. It’s a reminder for future activations to perhaps take up Louis, N8LEK's advice and try a quieter spot near the old horse stable at the Beck Road entrance.

The Joy of Hunting

This activation was dedicated to hunting. There’s an undeniable thrill in scanning the spotting page and fine-tuning the dial to catch fellow activators. I’ve grown as an operator by listening to how others handle their pileups, exchange information, and manage their "park to park" calls. These experiences have taught me valuable lessons in operating and the importance of personal touches in communication.

Gratitude for Guidance

I've taken to heart the advice of seasoned activators to make each contact more personal. Including my name in the exchange has not only added a warm element to the interaction but also boosted my confidence and enjoyment of the activation process. I owe a great deal of my improved experience to an outside observer who suggested adding personal touches, like including my name during QSOs. This advice has not only enriched my interactions but has also made each activation more enjoyable. It's the small things that transform a routine activity into a series of memorable encounters.

A Successful Activation

The day concluded with a tally of 21 unique QSOs, with 19 being "park to park" - a testament to the activity and camaraderie within the POTA community. A memorable highlight was connecting with Fausto, HI8AM, and Yeudy, HI5YJM, who were activating HI-0104 Mirador Del Sur Joaquín Balaguer Park in the Dominican Republic.

As the day wound down, I left Maybury State Park with a sense of accomplishment and a renewed appreciation for the hobby that brings us together, across parks and countries.