DX from the Railroad Station
I rode my bike to the old Potter Place Railroad Station from Andover this afternoon. I worked Corsica, Oregon, Croatia and Spain. It was absolutely beautiful today.
It was a perfect, clear day around 75F. I rode about 2 miles from Andover along the old Northern Rail route. Part way into the ride I passed the old covered bridge at the Blackwater River.
The Potter Place station is a museum now. I set up under a huge pine tree on the south side of the track. I tossed a 30 foot wire over a branch and started with the KX3 on 20 meters. 9A2AJ, Tom from Croatia was calling CQ. I’ve worked him a dozen times before, and when I answered he asked if I was running 5 watts. He gave me a 579. He was 599 and I told him I was on a bike ride and was, indeed QRP.
Next I went to 17 meters where W1VDE, Roger in Oregon was just finishing up a QSO. At first he said I was only S1, but later he said I’d come up a lot and he gave me a 569. I tuned up a bit and was thrilled to work TK3LS on the island of Corsica. Laurent gave me a quick 599. He was very strong to me.
I was about to call it quits when I heard EA5KM in Spain calling CQ on 30 meters. He had a hard time copying my call, even though he was strong to me. We made a quick exchange and I packed up for the ride back. What a glorious day for a quick outing.
This makes me want to take my X108G to a hilltop near here in E KY and do some QRP work. Very nice article…
Bob — KK5R
Bob! Go for it. Lots of fun OM. Jim W1PID
Hi congratulations on your report is very interesting all the information related to amateur radio every day read all chapters thanks xe2pmg
nice. sounds really fun. you were using ssb voice transmission, yes? also, the bike trail; is that a rails to trails?
kool way and the photos are also kool! i’ll daydream about the experience. once again, pretty kool!
Davey – thanks for the note. Yes, it’s a rails to trails route. Beautiful. I was operating CW. vy 73 Jim W1PID