Yesterday after work, I happened to pass by a recent addition to the POTA system, GB-6728 Wareham Forest. I carry my QMX and 40m dipole antenna in the car for just such an occasion, so I decided I’d head into the park and have a go.

It turns out, yesterday was an awful day on the 40m band, and with only 5W at my disposal from the QRP rig, I managed to achieve a grand total of… one QSO. (Thanks for your patience, Adam M9IOC.)

Despite the “failed” POTA activation, it was a lovely sunny day in the woods and a great way to relax after work.

However, I couldn’t let a brown marker on my map remain for long, so today I decided to bring the FT-891 and finish the job with 100W at my disposal.

Even then it was slow going. After four QSOs in quick succession, one with N4EX in the USA, I thought things were going well—until it took another 17 minutes to get my fifth QSO in the log.

Things picked up eventually, and my total for the activation was 14 contacts in just over half an hour. I’d activated the park at last, but most importantly, it was another warm sunny afternoon spent not being at work!

Thanks to all my contacts this afternoon, and my one yesterday. Catch you on the air next time.