There's something special about POTA activations at sunrise! 🌅 Today I'm heading to Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area (US-9061) which also counts as Erie Canalway Corridor National Heritage Area (US-6532) for a 2Fer activation!
Join me for an early shift activation where we chase 50 contacts before most people have finished their morning coffee. Of course, nothing ever goes perfectly - I hit some hiccups along the way, but that's all part of the POTA adventure!
⚡ Activation Stats:
- Park: Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area (US-9061)
- Bonus: Erie Canalway Corridor NHA (US-6532) - 2Fer!
- Total Contacts: 50 QSOs (52 minus 2 dupes)
- Time: Early morning shift
- Location: Near Syracuse, NY
📻 My Setup:
- Radio: Yaesu FT-891
- Antenna: Yaesu ATAS-120A
- Power: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station
🎯 What You'll See:
- Why I love early morning activations
- Real problems and how I solved them
- Contact highlights and pile-ups
- Tips for successful POTA activations
- Beautiful sunrise at the park!
🗺️ About This 2Fer:
Cicero Swamp is one of those great locations where you can activate two POTA references at once! The Erie Canalway Corridor runs through the area, making this a bonus opportunity for hunters chasing that reference too.
💡 POTA Tips From This Activation:
- Double-check ALL your radio settings before calling CQ - a wrong menu setting cost me valuable time!
- Don't be afraid to switch bands when activity slows - different bands can open up throughout your activation
- Always have a backup plan for power, antennas, and connectivity - Murphy's Law loves field operations!
🔗 Helpful POTA Links:
- POTA Website:
https://parksontheair.com- My POTA Stats:
https://pota.app/#/profile/KE2DFQ- Find Parks Near You:
https://potatrip.com- POTA Spots:
https://pota.app/#/📍 Park Information:
- US-9061: Cicero Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- US-6532: Erie Canalway Corridor National Heritage Area
Whether you're new to POTA or a seasoned activator, I hope this video inspires you to get out there and activate! The early morning conditions can be fantastic, and there's nothing quite like making contacts as the sun comes up.
💬 Questions about POTA? Drop them in the comments!
🎙️ Have you activated this park? Share your experience!
👍 If you enjoyed this activation, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more POTA adventures, reviews, and ham radio fun!
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🎮 Ham Radio Playground - Making Ham Radio FUN!
⚡ My Gear:
https://www.qrz.com/db/KE2DFQ📧 Contact: hamradioplayground@gmail.com
📱 Follow:
https://hamradioplayground.com/Thanks for watching! 73s and see you on the air! 📻
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