Right after I finished posting my last entry, I learned that my family was essentially going off in different directions. It was sunny out and the temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 40sF and there was only a touch of wind. Why not grab another activation? Why not, indeed!
My gear was still packed up and sitting by the door. I refilled my water bottle and grabbed my backpack. 20 minutes later, I was sitting in Tinkers Creek State Park – K-1997. There were, in fact, picnic tables. But if I go back in a couple of weeks and they’re gone, I will take it personally. There didn’t seem to be too many people around. It was a federal holiday, but that doesn’t mean much. I grabbed the picnic table that I’ve come to enjoy out that way and set up quickly.
Once again, it was just the whip. This setup is quite streamlined at this point.
I started up FT8 on 20m and called CQ once without spotting myself. For the next hour, I had almost continuous contacts coming in. I hit Mexico, Canada, Spain, the west coast of the US, and other points in almost every direction. It was a great day to be sending disturbances through the atmosphere.
Now while I was setting up, I couldn’t help but notice all of the geese. My daughter, when she was very little, called them “Biting Ducks” for what should be obvious reasons. Around parks they can be very aggressive and territorial. Unfortunately for them, I have thumbs and am considerably larger than they are. But in their favor, I don’t much enjoy conflicts with wildlife so I try to keep the potential for that at a minimum. There were two geese, however, who couldn’t seem to leave well enough alone.
It’s times like these that I wish I made videos of activations. I had a very long and drawn out dialogue running with these geese as they made close passes by my picnic table and even pecked at one of my radials. Again, I wasn’t picking a fight here. I was a good way from them and their friends when I sat down. They just seemed to want to start something. The closest we came to an issue was when I stood up and they spread their wings as though they were going to…I don’t know? Intimidate me with their size and fury? Maybe there were eggs around? It’s February, so I kinda doubt it. I’m no Goose Whisperer though so I’m glad that tensions stayed low as I packed up and left.
It was a nice, quick activation. Another good chance to take some time outdoors which is always a good thing.
Here’s the QSO Map:
