I spent most of the day of the 18sth driving. My plan was to get as far north as feasible into West Virginia, wake up early, and get a West Virginia POTA activation in, and then continue on to home. The views were lovely through the mountains, but I only stopped once to get one shot. It doesn't really give the true beauty! Below is an attempt at a panoramic photo alongside the road (click to pan/zoom).
I slept in Fairmont, West Virginia, and the side trip to the state park passed through some small towns, along Rock Lake, and finally to the state park, that is along the Tygart Valley River.
The weather was crisp but the rain of the previous day had dissipated, and so it was quite nice. I had the park to myself and did not see a single soul. There were a few waterfalls along the river, and a small bridge that allowed you to go over the railroad tracks to several picnic tables.
I found one that was not too damp, near some large trees and put up the random wire antenna and got on the air.
The bands were nice and active on 40m, which made me happy, and I was able to get 25 QSOs in about half an hour, and then hit the road.
| Date | Time | Call | State | Band | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/11/19 | 13:02 | WB2MQQ | NY | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:03 | WA8UET | OH | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:04 | KC3KJQ | MD | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:05 | KU8T | IN | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:08 | N4XAT | NJ | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:08 | KC9UR | IN | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:09 | AE8EA | OH | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:10 | W4SK | TN | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:11 | WB3DDJ | PA | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:12 | KE8VCM | MI | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:13 | N4FVP | NC | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:14 | KA3ICJ | MD | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:15 | K2EDL | NY | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:16 | N4NR | FL | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:17 | W2TJ | NY | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:17 | KD3CA | PA | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:18 | W4BD | VA | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:19 | W1KX | ME | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:21 | WB8YYY | NC | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:22 | WX4TW | NC | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:23 | AD2MM | NY | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:24 | KØWHW | NC | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:25 | W4ER | AL | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:26 | N4FF | KY | 40m | CW |
| 2025/11/19 | 13:28 | W4PJW | VA | 40m | CW |