This episode was inspired by a QSO with Ron Rowe, W2ELS. If you’d like to hear another episode of this podcast, there’s only one way to make it happen: hunt me down in the park, mention the show, and request a new one!

In this session, I share highlights from my recent Parks on the Air adventures and a few lessons learned along the way:

• Taking First Place at Decker WMA: The thrill of running pileups again and topping the charts in QSOs.


• Mic Challenges & Solutions:
  
  
  
  • My struggles with one-handed operation and transmit button.
  
  
  • Why I replaced my HM-219 mic.
  
  
  • Adding a Heil PTT foot switch and Pro Sound 6 IC headset.
  
  
  • Adapters for both the ICOM 7300 and FT-891.
  
  
  
  


• Ground Radial Mishap: How stepping on a JPC-12 radial led to a quick field repair with a terminal ring and crimpers (and why I’m so glad I bought good wire strippers).


• ATAS-120 Update: KG8Y Tom offered to help troubleshoot, which inspired me to register KQ4UUR.com.


• Go Bag Upgrades:
  
  
  
  • ERYY LiFePO4 25AH battery (fits perfectly in the backpack front pocket).
  
  
  • 25ft MOOKEERF RG316 coax with PL-259 connectors.
  
  
  • 45A fused connector to Anderson PowerPole adapter for clean power management.
  
  
  
  

With all that in place, my Portable Go Bag is finally complete and tested! It now includes:

• HF radio with mic and power cable


• JPC-12 antenna


• 3ft jumper coax and 1:1 choke


• Feedline coax


• RigExpert Stick 500 analyzer


• Handheld HT for 2m & 70cm


• Band allocation chart


• iPad for logging (with notebook & pen as backup)


• Starlink Mini (optional)


• Tuner and jumper coax (optional)


• Backup antennas


• Future addition: Gabil GRA-ULT01 MK3 mini tripod