Here’s what’s happening - in 2021, two operators ( N5HA, Kenneth Bailey & W9AV, Clint Sprott ) managed to work at least 1 park every UTC day. My goal for 2022 is to do the same, and to try and write a short post about the day’s first contact. If you want to play along, feel free - I’ll be sharing updates about it during the monthly POTA updates that I prepare for the various ham radio media outlets.
now that you’re in the know about the Baily-Sprott Challenge, here’s the scoop for today:
Bailey-Sprott Challenge Update
I got day 15 in the bag early, thanks to someone who was out activating late :-) James, KE8PZN who is also known as the Ham Radio Adventure Guy was roving through a bunch of parks. He actaully got started on the 14th, and just plowed right through and into the lateshift. I got him at a couple parks on day 14, and then he ended up being my first contact on the 15th while he was at K-3781 on 80 Meters.
I’ve got to say - James is a relatively new ham, but holy smokes does this guy know how to work a pile-up. I think he has mentioned on some of his live-streams that he credits doing POTA as helping him develop that skill. If you ever come across James doing an activation (and you probably will if you haven’t already) stay and just listen for a while - you’re likely to learn a trick or two.
It was also awesome to watch him control and slow down the mob on some of his early activations in the day, so that he could work a couple 10 and 11 year-old kids. Even though it was a big pile up, he slowed the pace, asked them how old they were, and gave info so that he could send them a QSL card- just that little extra effort is an awesome way to get kids attention. Being a parent of 4 (one of whom is 10), I know that kids can really relish being given personal attention like that. For all the talk about ways to get kids into the hobby, I think at least part of the answer is just that we need more operators like James, to make them feel welcome.