Early November in central New York, clear and cold enough to feel like fall. He picked a park he had never activated and parked at the water.
The Lot on the Lake
Three Mile Bay is a small park on the lake. He set up in the parking area, with a field in front of him and a trail along the edge. He could have driven the trail. The gate was open. He stayed put, because he did not think they wanted vehicles past it. The lake shows through the trees from the path. The operating spot looks back at the same view.
The Quick Station
The radio is an 891. The antenna is an ATAS off the truck, with a battery pack to boost it. The laptop sits on a stool so the screen is at eye height, and his notes are out next to it.
That is his short activation. Tailgate, ATAS-120, or a hamstick on a tripod out in the field if he wants the antenna away from the truck. If the plan is to spend the day, the DX Commander Expedition comes out instead. He asked people to leave a comment with their own park setup, and a link if they had video or pictures.
Transcript
It is a clear fall day in central New York, the beginning of November. He came out to play Parks on the Air and picked a park he had never been to. Three Mile Bay sits on the lake. He is in the parking area, with a field and a trail along the edge. He could have driven up the trail. The gate is open. He does not think they want vehicle traffic there. The lake shows through the trees.
Back at the truck, the ATAS is running off the vehicle. The radio is an 891, boosted with a battery pack. The laptop is on a stool so it sits at eye height. His notes are out. The view is the point of the stop.
For a quick activation he uses the tailgate. That is either the ATAS-120 or a hamstick on a tripod, stretched into the field. If he has the day, he puts up the DX Commander Expedition. He asks for comments on other POTA setups, and for a link to video or pictures. Then he signs off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did he set up?
Three Mile Bay, a park on the lake that he had not been to before. He stayed in the parking area. A trail runs along the edge. The gate was open, and he left the vehicle there because he did not think they wanted cars on the trail.
What was on the air?
An ATAS mounted off the truck, an 891, a battery pack for a boost, and a laptop on a stool at eye height. His notes were out. He did not give a contact count in this video.
What does he use when he is not staying long?
The tailgate. Either the ATAS-120, or a hamstick on a tripod stretched out into the field. If he is spending the day, he puts up the DX Commander Expedition.