4th of July Adventures: Exploring Colorado
Over the week of the 4th of July holiday, I embarked on a family vacation to the beautiful Denver, Colorado area. We were joined by my in-laws as we visited my brother-in-law and his wife. The trip was a perfect blend of family bonding and radio adventures, as I had a major goal in mind: to achieve a Parks on the Air (POTA) contact with a park in Alaska. While this particular goal remained elusive, the journey was filled with memorable experiences and a lot of QSOs.
Location and Setup
Denver and its surroundings offered a picturesque backdrop for our adventures. When not exploring the vibrant city with my family, I found time to activate four stunning parks. Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the serene plains, presented unique challenges and rewards for setting up my gear.
One thing to note for fellow radio enthusiasts: the ground in the plains is very compacted, making it difficult to use a ground spike. I found it useful to bring along some rope or bungee cords to secure the mast to my vehicle or a sturdy structure like a parking sign. It's important to avoid disrupting the natural beauty and adhere to the "leave no trace" principles. In places like Rocky Mountain National Park, space can be limited, often reduced to car pull-offs by the road. Thus, having a compact antenna option is crucial.
Gear Used
For this trip, my setup included the trusty Yaesu FT-891, which provided solid performance throughout. The PackTenna EFHW with a 40m extension proved invaluable for versatile frequency coverage, and the SOTABEAMS Carbon Fiber 6 Mast offered lightweight and sturdy support. Logging contacts was a breeze with the HAM2K Portable Logger and an Apple iPad.
Sharing the Magic of Radio
One of the highlights of this trip was sharing the magic of amateur radio with my father-in-law. He was incredibly helpful in setting up and activating a couple of parks. His curiosity and engagement were much appreciated as he asked questions about the capabilities of an HF radio. It was exciting to explain the process and share the experience of making some DX contacts. His enthusiasm added an extra layer of joy to the activations, making them even more memorable.
Activations and Experiences
Despite the challenging band conditions, I managed to activate four parks, tallying up 114 QSOs in total. Each park presented its own set of challenges and rewards:
- US-1210 Boyd Lake State Park: A serene location with plenty of space for setting up and experimenting with different antenna configurations.
- US-0059 Rocky Mountain National Park: The breathtaking scenery made up for the limited space. It was a challenge to find a suitable spot, but the end result was worth it.
- US-1219 Golden Gate Canyon State Park: A perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty, making it a joy to operate from. The picnic areas are great for activating.
- US-0225 Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge: A unique environment that offered a new set of challenges, especially regarding antenna deployment.
Reflections
One of the highlights of this trip was experiencing the variety of terrains and finding the best ways to deploy my antennas. Each activation taught me something new, from dealing with compact ground to managing limited space. While I didn't achieve my goal of a POTA contact with Alaska, the thrill of the hunt continues to be a significant part of the enjoyment. Once I finally achieve it, the victory will be all the sweeter.
Summary
Overall, this trip was a wonderful mix of family time and amateur radio fun. Activating parks in Colorado allowed me to enjoy the state's natural beauty while pushing my skills to adapt to different environments. The sense of community and shared passion in the POTA program continues to inspire me, and I look forward to my next adventure on the airwaves. Until then, happy hunting and 73!
