Activation Report: Conner Preserve State Conservation Area (US-6444) — April 28, 2026
- 1 min reading time
Mode: FT8 (Digital) · Band: 20m · Radio: Xiegu X6200 · Contacts: 12 · Park: US-6444
Conner Preserve State Conservation Area, POTA reference US-6444. Second activation of the day, same general area. Another 12 QSOs and another new park qualified.
The park
Conner Preserve is a state conservation area in Land O' Lakes — undeveloped Florida natural land with trail access and minimal infrastructure. No facilities, no crowds. Exactly what you want when you're looking for a clean operating environment without having to fight for a parking spot or explain what a radio is to a curious stranger.
The reason for the visit
Second stop of a planned double activation day with Cypress Creek. Both parks new, both within reasonable distance of each other.
The setup
Identical to the first park — X6200 on internal battery, 18.3ft telescopic vertical in the field, coax to the car, DigiPi on car USB. Before keying up I swapped in a fresh battery on the X6200, which was the right call after running the first park off the internal supply. Clean power for park two.
On the air
20 meters FT8 again. Conditions were the same story as Cypress Creek — sluggish but workable. Logged 12 contacts at a steady pace and called it there.
Would I activate here again?
Yes. Reliable park for a quick stop. Would combine it with Cypress Creek again on a future double-park day.
Full log uploaded to POTA.app. 73 de W4GGJ