06/10/2022
May 28 2022 Parks on the Air (POTA) Kilo Explosion Rove -- VE3JLN and VE3THR
Stop #1
VE-4876 Mnjikaning Fish Weirs is a historical marker at "The Narrows". This is a small strip of water connecting Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, which are both part of the VE-4889 Trent Severn Waterway. The highway overpass across this waterway is also the path of the VE-5082 Great Trail of Canada. Thus, this location is a 3-fer.
Antenna: 128ft EFHW / 49:1; short inverted-L configuration, strung between overpass pylon and utility pole about 15-20ft up
Total contacts: 20
Time on Air: 32 min
Kilo QSOs: WA2WAP David (VE3JLN), W1RCP Bob (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 51KM
Stop #2
VE-0146 Bass Lake is a small Provincial park in the middle of Orillia, but still offers some relaxing views. We setup at the small boat launch, as the parking area was roomy and not busy yet.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 18
Time on Air: 15 min
Kilo QSOs: VE3LBI Larry (VE3JLN), WJ8Y Gregg (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 13KM
Stop #3
VE-5505 Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church is a historical site which dates back to the War of 1812, during which time, any slave of non-Loyalists would be granted freedom and protection from re-enslavement, provided they fought against the US as militiamen.
Antenna: 128ft EFHW / 49:1; inverted L configuration, strung between / around trees 20-30ft up
Total Contacts: 13
Time on Air: 11 min
Kilo QSOs: VA3CP Dave (VE3JLN), KE8PTX "1 Watt" Mike (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 20KM
Stop #4
VE-0400 Springwater Provincial Park is in Midhurst and is a great place for hiking, cycling, or cross country skiing. There is an antenna tower (approx 80ft) on the high spot in the park, which isn't in use, but we like to setup under it and dream of putting a multiband yagi on the tower.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 15
Time on Air: 14 min
Kilo QSOs: AD2CD Tobi (VE3JLN), VE3LBI Larry (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 15KM
Stop #5
VE-1660 Edenvale Conservation Area is a great spot to picnic or launch canoes and kayaks into the Nottawasaga River. VE-1657 Glengarry Landing is a history marker on the property which commemorates a crucial action during the War of 1812.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 15
Time on Air: 15 min
Kilo QSOs: VA3CP Dave (VE3JLN), KB3WAV Keri (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 14KM
Stop #6
VE-0426 Wasaga Beach is a crescent shaped area of beach along Georgian Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. We setup on the tailgate in the sand parking lot and enjoyed the views of the beach.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 17
Time on Air: 24 min
Kilo QSOs: K4MNF Barry (VE3JLN), VE3YTN Tom (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 18KM
Stop #7
VE-1661 Fort Willow was a supply depot during the War of 1812. VE-5506 Nine Mile Portage Trail was one route to get to the Fort from the lake.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 20
Time on Air: 26 min
Kilo QSOs: KG2HZ Gerald (VE3JLN), VE3MLM Bob (VE3THR) -- this is special, MLM is THR's brother!
Distance to location: 35KM
Stop #8
VE-5315 Utopia Conservation Area is full of trails and wetlands with lots of wildlife (mostly bugs!).
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 15
Time on Air: 18 min
Kilo QSOs: VE3YTN Tom (VE3JLN), W8FNG Jameson (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 16KM
Stop #9
VE-5313 Tiffin Centre for Conservation is another spot full of trails and wetlands. In the late winter, it is one of the host locations for the maple syrup event as the Centre has a significant sugarbush.
Antenna: 40m HamStick on truck
Total contacts: 13
Time on Air: 17 min
Kilo QSOs: AD2CD Tobi (VE3JLN), VE3YTN Tom (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 7KM
Stop #10
VE-1658 Sunnidale Recreation Park is a mixed use park in the middle of Barrie with woods, arboretum, playground, and lots of grassy areas. This was a 2nd Kilo for VE3THR!
Antenna: 128ft EFHW / 49:1; inverted L configuration, strung between trees 30-40ft up
Total contacts: 32
Time on Air: 24 min
Kilo QSOs: VE3VVX Andy (VE3JLN), VA3CP (VE3THR)
Distance to location: 17KM
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Total Time on Air: 196 mins (3 hrs 16 mins)
Total distance: 216 KM (134 miles)
Total QSOs: 178
First QSO: 13:51
Last QSO: 22:08
Special congratulations to AD2CD Tobi as the only person to work us at all 10 stops for 14 parks! And thank you to our RFing Crew for helping us get the contacts quickly so we could get all 14 into one day.
