Parks on the Air Potawatomie State Park Wisconsin (POTA) - Ham Radio Q&A

We recently spent a three day weekend in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin. That also meant some time for another Parks on the Air activation. This time, Potawatomie State Park (POTA K-1472). See me operate hammock portable.
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Yaesu FT-891: www.dxengineering.com/search/...
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#ParksontheAir #K1472 #Hammock

[@JeremiahNichol]

Yay! I heard Ft. Leavenworth KS!

[@sphexes]

I love Door Co. We took the steamer from Ludington. Did a fish boil at Egg Harbor. Very pretty area. I need to return. 73 W8XDX

[@jamiefheim]

I like those QSO‘s that are a little more substantial than just a signal report hello goodbye.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I like to have a little fun. It's probably why I don't make the big numbers when I activate.

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Love the camping videos! Hot coals on a Dutch oven, rear end in a hammock, hand on a mic, what could be any better? You’re living the life Michael!! Thanks for sharing! 73, Todd KM4OCJ

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

This is what happens when you get the kids out of the house. As they say: "living the dream." Thanks for the comment

[@seanl6340]

Come on everyone! Michael makes some great videos. I know I've learned a lot from watching and enjoy the "everyday guy" approach without the hype, fake backgrounds, and "trying to be cool" stuff. How about considering even just a $1 per month Patreon support?

[@brianpeck3120]

I was trying to reach you in NNY, but no luck. Great video! 73 de KD2KAK

[@KX4UL]

I like the hammock operating position...lol! Good contacts Michael.

[@bruhzooka]

Good to see Mrs. KB9VBR.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

With a handheld radio helping back in the trailer.

[@Gordofor12]

She has her own call!

[@ryankc9oza118]

Was up there few weeks ago. We stayed just across the bay from the park. Tried to do some pota at newport state park. But wasnt able to spot myself as cell service was spotty. Was able to make a park to park out to California though. That was cool considering my setup

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

I would be picking myself off the ground more in that hammock, then making contacts. Lol. Great stuff. 73 de KG7LOI

[@1fanger888]

Hey Michael, Do you do your POTA`s on weekends and are you always on 40 meters? I do not do much on 20, but hang around on 40 and QSO a little if conditions are right. I seem to have a real pipeline out your way in 9 land with my invert V dipole antenna configured the way it is on 40. Maybe I will catch you sometime. KC3BXZ Joe 73

[@btcullen5876]

Michael: Have you recorded a video regarding the setup of the FT 891 to efficiently receive and transmit? I’m having a tough time with noise and limited contacts. I’m using the same antenna as you. Thank you and keep the videos coming. I’ve learned a lot from you and have made Ham purchases based on your recommendations.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks for the idea. I'll be making a video going through the steps of my portable setup. It should be available later this month.

[@joecraft4409]

I saw you on the POTA web site the other day but couldn't make contact. I told my buddy that was in the shack with me that he needed to watch your videos. I showed him one of your latest. Will try again if i see you on the POTA site. 👍

[@jamesw8559]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@michaelclarkemtp]

Thanks again for the contact and the activation. 73, KV4ZA

[@Roanokekidstech]

I have been looking through your videos and I see that you use mostly 40 meters on your POTA videos. Is there any specific reasoning for this or just a personal preference. I have always had better luck on 20 meters, especially during the day so I am curious.

[@a3axon]

Hammock will take you from s5 to 20 over s9, it's the secret the ARRL doesn't want us to know, 73s KD9PQX

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I should have put a little bit of click-bait in the title: "That one little secret the ARRL doesn't want you to know."

[@KN4YEM]

Hey KB9VBR ! Liked your video

[@mark002228]

It’s always good to watch you activate a park. Again, I was out this weekend doing my usual portable thing. I saw your spots but couldn’t raise you. Again. 😞 Maybe next time. K0PIG

[@markw365]

Love the videos, but get some tree straps for the hammock, using cord like that can dig into the bark and damage the tree. Parks are banning hammocks because of this.

[@W0KNI]

Was that a King Fisher chiming in about the time you commented on the bands? LOL. Perfect timing!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm not a bird expert, but I think so. Our campsite was across the road and about a couple hundred feet from the shore of the Sturgeon Bay.

[@billryland6199]

It looks like you are not using IF shift or DNR. They both help me running my 891 to reduce noise. I hope to set up in the county park soon.

[@richarde735]

Michael, what wattage are you running typically on these POTA activations?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I usually do 50 watts. That gives me a good compromise between signal strength and battery life.

[@N9IBZED]

Glad to see you made it over here to my area I wish I knew you were in the area I would have loved to give you a contact next time you are in the area give a call on either WECOM or when you get to Door County either one of the W9DOR repeaters and let me know what band you will be on and I’ll look for you 73 for now from Ed W9JE located in Sturgeon Bay

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I should have dropped you a line as we usually go to Door County the weekend after Labor Day (I like to ride in the Door County Century, but since it was cancelled this year we kept the camping reservations and just hung out). We may be back this winter, my wife likes to look at the boats when they make their way into the shipyard.

[@N9IBZED]

KB9VBR Antennas cool also if you are here for it there is a net on the 147.210 repeater every morning at 8 so check in when you can that repeater also has an echolink node hooked up to it I’m not sure of the node number but the call associated with it is K9HAH-R so you can connect that way as well before you make the trip and get any info as to things that you may want to do I’m not usually up at that time but they know me as I do check in when I am awake at net time

[@Nfarer]

Hello I just received my ticket. I have a Kenwood dh74a with a j pole antenna, unfortunately, indoors. I live in a large valley surrounded by repeaters. Would I benefit from using a rf amplifier?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I think indoors, an amplifier will have limited utility. It won't increase your receive capabilities and you'll have to contend with RF radiation inside the house. Maybe try moving the antenna to another location in the building or in a window to see if that changes things.

[@marcinmichigan2772]

Michael, that looks like a sweet folding table, got a link? de K8MH

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I use the GCI Outdoor compact folding table. I like it so much I've actually bought two for using around the campsite: amzn.to/3mw1HEU

[@pauljameson1]

I heard one of the earlier guys in the video say “portable 8.” What does that mean? I’ve heard it multiple times before but couldn’t figure it out.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The guy had a 6 call but he was operating in West Virginia. He said “portable 8” or /8 so I would know that he was in the 8 call region and not the 6. It used to be a rule that you needed the suffix outside your call sign region, but now it’s just a courtesy

[@nr3rful]

He's calling from 8 land

[@pauljameson1]

KB9VBR Antennas ah I see. That clears up a lot!

[@AliReza-zx8km]

❤❤❤

[@rodgerbaseman107]

What's with the countdown at the beginning of the video?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

KZbin does that. It's part of the premiere process

[@gregnewberry4813]

what frequency?

[@gregwilson5215]

How many watts?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I was using my 12ah LiFePO4 battery, so I had the transceiver set to about 50 watts.