W2LJ's Blog - QRP - Do More With Less.

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NPOTA - Brrrrrrrrr!

Posted: 18 Jan 2016 06:20 PM PST
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Of course, W2LJ picks one of the coldest, windiest days of the Winter
season (so far) to do an NPOTA activation. Of course! But it was a blast
(of cold air) nonetheless - even if I still haven't warmed up some hours
later.

We got a light dusting of snow yesterday, which was a prelude to today. It
was sunny and clear, but the winds were blustery and our high temperature
for the day was reached last night at Midnight. Ever since then, the
temperatures have been dropping. As I type this, it's currently 16F (-9C)
outside. While I activated NPOTA, it was 24F (-4C).


I headed out at 11:40 AM to the Washington-Rochambeau national Historical
Trail TR23, which we know as Old Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, NJ. I
wanted to set up at the historic Frazee House, but that part of Old
Raritan Road is currently blocked off for repaving. I settled for
operating at the entrance to the Ashbrook Country Club golf course in
steady. It's right on the trail, as you can see from the photo above. At
the entrance to the golf course is the remnants of a cannon that was used
in the Battle of Short Hills in June 1777, as seen in the photo below.


Set up was easy, I've done it so many times at lunchtime at work that I
could do it in my sleep. The cold made things a tad more difficult, though;
but I was ready to get on the air at Noon (1700 UTC), just as I had planned.

I started out on 20 Meters, using the Buddistick. It really helps to bring
a cell phone along on these kind of outings. Having a smart phone enabled
me to go onto the DX Summit Website and self spot. Within a few seconds of
sending the spot, I was busy handling QSOs. There was never a really deep
pileup, but there weren't many lulls either. When a lull hit, I used the
opportunity to either change bands, or turn on the car to warm it up a
bit. As an experienced QRPer, and being used to working weak signals, you
get into the mindset to avoid as much background noise as possible. While I
was operating, the engine was off. I would rather be a bit cold than miss
another QRPer because of engine noise.

After 20 Meters, I operated on 17 Meters for a while. I had wanted to use
18.086 MHz, but I could tell that was pileup territory for one of the
DXpeditions. So I "QRL"ed on 18.072 MHz, and not hearing any answer, I
camped out there for a while.

When the Jeep interior cooled down as to start becoming uncomfortable (I'm
ALL about comfort!), I took the opportunity to warm the interior up, and to
switch from the Buddistick to the 40 Meter Hamstick. I get a better match
with the Hamstick, only 1.3:1, which is lower that the 1.8:1 that I get
with the Buddistick. I still have to work on finding the ideal combination
of arms and whip length for 40 Meters on the Buddistick. 40 Meters was as
productive as 20 Meters. Most of the QSOs were made on those two bands,
although 17 Meters was not a slouch by any means.


I called it a day at 3:00 PM (2000 UTC) just as I had planned. In the end,
I made 88 QSOs, which is actually way better that any Bumblebee or Skeeter
outing that I have had, and is not bad for 5 Watts to less than full sized
antennas. My best DX was California, Arizona, Puerto Rico and two stations
from Belgium. I worked a few of you readers that I know from here, and I
thank you heartily for those Qs. I also worked my best friend and Ham Radio
mentor, Bob W3BBO. I worked QRP notables Steve WG0AT, Guy N7UN, fellow QRP
Fox hunter Chris KQ2RP, and I also worked Kay Craigie N3KN, outgoing
President of the ARRL.

But the best QSO of the day was when I worked Dave KD2FSI, who I logged for
at Jockey Hollow on Saturday. This was perhaps Dave's second or third CW
QSO, maybe? It was a blast to be there and to hear his fist on the air!

All the QSOs have been uploaded to LoTW. I can't wait to activate another
NPOTA entity. The bug has really bit now. As the seasons change, and the
weather gets warmer, the strategy will change from antennas mounted on the
Jeep, to perhaps wires tossed in the trees. The best is definitely yet to
come! Thank you Sean KX9X and the ARRL for sponsoring this great program!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!