As a family we’ve vacationed up on Madeline island in Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands just about every summer for the last 25 years. The island in far northern Wisconsin has been a draw for us for as long I can remember and the place has made many fond memories for our family. The kids are grown but the long weekend still calls and I foresee that we will keep this tradition going as long as we can.
This week’s video: Is fresh water BETTER than the ocean? Let’s put Lake Superior on the air! highlights my Parks on the Air activation on Madeline Island. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/k85-g77icIQ
There are two POTA entities on the island: Big Bay State Park, US-1439 and Big Bay Sand Spit and Bog State Natural Area, US-4244. Neither of them are overly difficult to activate, much of the Natural Area is within the bounds of the State Park, so if you are in the day use or beaches along the Big Bay, you can operate as a Two-fer. The biggest obstacle is taking the ferry across to the island, so you’ll want to plan your activation around that schedule (especially if you are only staying for the day).
For us, we usually stay at Big Bay Town Park. The town park and the state park share the Big Bay and getting to beach, and on the state park land, is a very easy hike down some stairs and across a boardwalk.
Field Day Knots
I will admit that of all the things that bug me about Field Day (besides the insects, they bug everyone), the biggest is the lack of proficiency in knot tying. I don’t know how many times that I’ve seen a goobered up mess of rope that was hodge-podged together to hold up an antenna.
Now I will admit with the wider acceptance of POTA, and an increasing interest in bushcraft, people’s knot tying games are getting better. But for those that find tying a proper knot overwhelming, I just want to say: it’s easier than you would expect.
There are only three knots that you really need to know and each one will get you through 90% of antenna deployments. With a little practice, you can quickly master them . Those knots are: The half hitch, tautline hitch, and bowline.
Starting off with the bowline, this will be used to tie a line to your antenna’s center connector. It’s a maritime know that consists of a loop that will not cinch or tighten and a free end that can be easily untied. Here’s a video on tying your own bowline: https://youtu.be/t3v6RbJqxPs
The second is the half hitch. Putting two half hitches together is an easy sturdy way to tie a line around mast, pole or other structure. Adding a half hitch to a bowline secures the free end of the line for added security.
Related to the half hitch is the tautline hitch. This knot can be used as a rope tensioner. If you are staking a line or securing it to a tree for an antenna support, the tautline can be used to take up the slack. Some people will recommend the truckers hitch as a tensioner knot, but honestly, the tautline is much easier to tie and it works just as well for the purpose. The tautline is easier to demonstrate than to explain, so here’s a video on half hitches and the tautline: https://youtu.be/7SN3NU4LMKM
Knots take practice, carry a couple short pieces of rope with you and practice tying them. I also have some knot cards that I like to refer to: https://amzn.to/4k9z50W. Best of luck at Field Day and I hope with these tips, your antennas stay up in the air.
Finishing up
Friday I am heading up to Black Lake for Field Day deep in the heart of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Travis, Joe, and I have done Field Day up their a number of times, this weekend we are joined by Dave in the hopes of putting on a four transmitter powerhouse. Look for us on the air with the callsign N9CNF.
I’m planning to livestream on Friday evening. Travis now has Starlink, so we should be able to get a good Internet connection in the park. Start time will be around 7 or 8 pm CDT. I’m still working out the logistics, so watch the youtube announcement for the show.
I hope to get you in the log this weekend.
Michael
KB9VBR
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