eric pfeifer 10/27/25 eric pfeifer 10/27/25

October Support Your Parks Weekend at Clough State Park

This October, Coulgh State Park hosted another memorable chapter in the annual Support Your Parks weekend. The 2025 Fall Support Your Parks POTA Meetup was a great success, and it was a joy to see the park come alive with fellow hobbyists and nature lovers alike.

This October, Clough State Park hosted another memorable chapter in the annual Support Your Parks weekend. The 2025 Fall Support Your Parks POTA Meetup was a great success, and it was a joy to see the park come alive with fellow hobbyists and nature lovers alike.

We ten folks attended, gear in hand, ready to enjoy the day and connect with the outdoors. The weather cooperated with a perfect fall day—clear skies and a sun that felt just right for an outdoor event. It truly felt like a gift from the season, with no cloud in the sky.

The activity was as varied as the season itself. The bands were alive with the sounds of CW, Voice, and a few Digital signals, turning the day into a friendly, technical celebration. It was exciting to hear the different modes and to trade tips, tricks, and stories with other participants.

A lot of attendees brought out their gear for the first time, taking the chance to run it through its paces in the field. There’s something special about testing equipment in a natural setting—the hum of the radios, the rustle of leaves, and the shared camaraderie create a memorable experience.

With gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed, the October Support Your Parks weekend at Coulgh State Park proved once again that this community thrives on curiosity, cooperation, and a love for both the outdoors and the hobby. Here’s hoping for many more weekends like this one in the years to come.

eric pfeifer 4/21/25 eric pfeifer 4/21/25

A Fun and Fulfilling Parks on the Air Activation with GSARA

This past weekend, our Granite State Amateur Radio Association (GSARA) had the pleasure of hosting a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation—a special event that turned out to be a true testament to the spirit of amateur radio, despite some pretty challenging band conditions!

The day started off on a high note, with the rain holding off until about 12:30 PM. By then, most of our club members had already begun packing up, mainly because the bands were just not cooperating. It was a tough day for making contacts—conditions were quite horrible, to say the least—but that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm or the overall vibe of the event.

In fact, the challenges only highlighted the resilience and camaraderie of our club members. We took the opportunity to support POTA during a special weekend, known as SYP (Support Your Parks), and to enjoy some much-needed social time with fellow amateurs—both those we’ve known for a while and some new faces we were excited to meet for the first time. It was wonderful to see everyone sharing stories, asking questions, and exchanging tips—all in the spirit of ham radio.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was working with our newer GSARA members. Several of these newcomers had never activated a park before, and they spent over an hour walking from station to station, soaking in the experience, asking questions, and engaging socially. Seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity reminded us all of why we love this hobby so much—there’s always something new to learn and new friends to make.

Despite the rain and less-than-ideal band conditions, the day was a true success in my eyes. It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the club and the hobby I love most. Moments like these reinforce the value of community, learning, and sharing the magic of amateur radio.