Spring POTA Fest

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Touching grass

The Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club does Parks on the Air throughout the year, but the last weekend in March was the Spring POTA Fest at Fort Washington State Park (US-1352). Though I’ve lived in the area for a few years, I had yet to visit the park and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I needed to touch grass (even if the grass was mostly mud).

Last Saturday was a lovely day, brisk and sunny, and while I might’ve been a bit happier with a sweatshirt at least I got to demonstrate my resilience to chill temperatures. (Note that at no point did I consider camping. There is resilience while walking, greeting dogs, and socializing with humans…and then there is subjecting oneself to a miserable, sleepless night in a tent.)

Goals for 2026

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I earned my Technician’s license last month and since then I’ve accomplished a few minor ham-related things:

Immediately got on the air after passing the exam
Sorted out the FCC and new socials and logbooks and this site
Ordered an introductory radio to play with (Baofeng GT-5R)
Ordered the General Class License Manual
Joined some mailing lists
Joined some organizations: PMRC, YLRL, and AARN
Attended an in-person meeting of Phil-Mont, the local club

I have some reasonably solid near-term hobby goals:

POTA on A Little Ham Radio Site

Spring POTA Fest

Touching grass

Goals for 2026