Mike VE7KPZ and Austin VE7QH did a multi-station Parks On The Air activation at Juniper Bay in Kalamalka Provincial Park VE-0728 on Sunday March 26, 2023.

The operators showcased a selection of radios and antennas and spoke about what has worked best for them so far with POTA as well as tips and tricks for getting on the air and getting the park activated.

It was amazing to see a dozen HAMs from all over the Okanagan and Shuswap make the drive into Vernon to join the group at the park.

Big thanks to Peter VE7PAE for his kind and generous catering of the event (sparkling beverages and delicious cookies).

Big thanks to John VE7JWS for his stepping in as official event photographer.

And of course big thanks to Austin (driving in from Kamloops) and Mike (Vernon local) for putting on the showcase.

 


Mike listens for contacts between voice keyings, ready to press the button on his Icom IC-705's mic to stop the keyer as soon as a station is heard. Conditions were tough on this activation but both Austin and Mike successfully activated the park with at least 10 contacts each.

 


Here we can see Mike's SOTAbeams tactical mini pole supporting his favourite HyEndFed antenna as a horizontal sloper to the far tree. Most of the time Mike deploys as an inverted V with the 6 meter long pole, but for this showcase, a little tree action was required.

 

 
Austin tests out his new portable loop antenna. Austin's primary in-park antenna is a Chameleon MPAS vertical (positioned far left in this picture).

 

 
Austin's main POTA rigs: an Elecraft KX2 and a Yaesu FT-818ND.

 

 
A pic showing some of the attendees.

 


In the late afternoon Mike eeks out just one more contact on the 20m band while Austin works VHF on his HT.