Despite forecasts of intense heat, heavy rain, and possible thunderstorms across Worcester County, the K3WRG team enjoyed near-perfect conditions in a fortunate pocket of clear skies at Milburn Landing in Pocomoke River State Park. While surrounding areas experienced heavy downpours, the Nassawango Pavilion provided excellent shelter, beautiful views of the Pocomoke River, and a welcoming space for a full day of amateur radio activity.
The team ran a successful dual operation, combining POTA (Parks on the Air) activation of US-4767 with ARRL Field Day participation. The event drew more than 12 visitors throughout the day, fostering great fellowship among operators and guests alike. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled on site, adding to the camaraderie in true Field Day fashion.
Operating Highlights:
- POTA Operations: Strong activity on 20m, 40m, and 15m, with multiple park-to-park contacts.
- Field Day Operations: Focused primarily on 40m SSB amid very busy bands, making solid contacts across the U.S. and logging numerous club and special stations.
- Total Contacts: Over 50 QSOs across both activities.
While the total number of contacts was modest compared to some high-volume stations, the emphasis remained on enjoyment, education, and community. The scenic riverside location and supportive turnout made it a memorable day.
Lessons Learned The busy bands during Field Day also highlighted some challenges with interference between neighboring stations. Moving forward, the team plans to incorporate band-pass filters, reduce power output where appropriate, and explore more advanced setups such as single-antenna solutions and quadplexers to improve efficiency and minimize interference during multi-mode activations.
K3WRG extends a huge thank you to all the visitors and operators who came out to support the activation. Special appreciation goes to operators K3BAL, K3UCQ, KC3ZFM, K3WOC and the entire team for making the event possible. Also, special thanks to everyone who brought food, beverages, coolers, and everything needed for a nice picnic as well.
Amateur radio continues to thrive, combining technical skill, outdoor adventure, and friendship while constantly improving our craft. We look forward to many more activations in the beautiful parks of Maryland’s Eastern Shore!