First POTA Activation! 📻 Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (US-12601)

If you enjoyed this activation, please give the video a 👍 and subscribe for more ham radio content! ☕ Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WQ9F 🏍️ Check out my motorcycle channel: @2OnTheGround Find me on Discord @kwduffy02 Amazon Affiliate links for Gear Used in this Video! ( I may get a small percentage from these links) GoPro Hero 11 Black (Recording Camera) - https://amzn.to/45aBbJz Comica BoomX-D2 Wirelss Microphone (Recording Microphone) - https://amzn.to/3XJ2nvG Bioenno 12v 15ah LiFePo4 Battery - https://amzn.to/4oBIIZJ RigExpert Stick Pro - https://amzn.to/3VX4oTx Join Kevin (WQ9F) for a special Parks on the Air (POTA) milestone! Today we are out at the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (US-12601) for what appears to be the very first activation of this park. Spanning the border of Illinois and Wisconsin, this new refuge is a beautiful spot for ham radio, and we’re getting it on the air from the "Goose Pond Corridor." [What’s In This Video] In this video, I walk through the map of this unique multi-state park, discuss the importance of staying on public land/following refuge rules, and show my "low-profile" mobile car setup. I’m using Hamsticks on a magnet mount and a Bioenno LiFePO4 battery to reach hunters across the country. [Key Highlights] Location: Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (US-12601) - Wisconsin/Illinois border. The Setup: Low-profile car activation using a magnet mount, Hamsticks, and a 20Ah/15Ah Bioenno battery. The Results: 58 contacts in the log, including DX from France and the West Coast! POTA Tips: Staying respectful of wildlife refuges and avoiding private property. [Gear Used in this Activation] Radio: Icom IC-7200 Antenna: Hamstick on a Magnet Mount Power: 20Ah Bioenno LiFePO4 Battery Logging: Fast Log Entry #HamRadio #POTA #ParksOnTheAir #WQ9F #AmateurRadio #Hackmatac #US12601 #QSO #FieldOp Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: Kevin (WQ9F) at Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. 0:10 – Exploring Park US-12601: A new POTA location. 0:40 – Navigating the map: Corridors and conservation areas. 1:20 – Important: Staying on public land and following refuge rules. 1:45 – The growth of Parks on the Air (POTA). 2:30 – Protecting wildlife and avoiding invasive species. 2:55 – My low-profile mobile setup: Activation from the car. 4:10 – Why I prefer a low-visibility activation style. 5:05 – Gear check: Hamsticks, magnet mounts, and Bioenno batteries. 6:00 – CQS POTA: The first-ever contact for US-12601. 7:15 – Working the pile-up: Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia. 9:10 – Signal reports from Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Mississippi. 11:55 – Mobile-to-mobile contact with Colorado. 12:18 – DX Contact: Connecting with Vancouver Island, BC. 14:40 – Band conditions and signal strength updates. 17:55 – Activation Recap: 58 contacts and final thoughts.