Activation Report: Cypress Creek Preserve State Park (US-7389) — April 28, 2026
- 1 min reading time
Mode: FT8 (Digital) · Band: 20m · Radio: Xiegu X6200 · Contacts: 12 · Park: US-7389
Cypress Creek Preserve State Park, POTA reference US-7389. First of a two-park day. 12 QSOs in the log and a new park on the board.
The park
Cypress Creek Preserve is a natural area in Land O' Lakes protecting a stretch of the Cypress Creek watershed in northern Hillsborough County. Old Florida — cypress stands, open fields, and the kind of quiet that makes you realize how loud everywhere else is. No crowds, easy access, and plenty of open space to deploy an antenna without bothering anyone.
The reason for the visit
New park, double activation day. Wanted to push the count up and this paired well with a second stop nearby.
The setup
Xiegu X6200, 18.3ft telescopic vertical, RPi4 with DigiPi, Android tablet. Left the battery box at home — didn't realize it until I was already at the park. The X6200 ran on its internal battery. Deployed the vertical out in the field, ran coax back to the car, powered the DigiPi off the car's USB, and worked the session from the driver's seat. Not the most elegant setup but it worked.
On the air
20 meters FT8. Band conditions were not cooperating — slow pipeline, contacts came in methodically rather than in a steady flow. Worked it patiently and closed out at 12 contacts. Enough to qualify.
Would I activate here again?
Yes. Clean park, easy deployment, no issues. Would be better on a good band day.
Full log uploaded to POTA.app. 73 de W4GGJ