Activation Report: Hillsborough River State Park (US-1878) — April 30, 2026
- 3 min reading time
Mode: FT8 (Digital) · Bands: 40m / 20m · Radio: Xiegu X6200 · Contacts: 29 · Park: US-1878
Hillsborough River State Park, POTA reference US-1878, just northeast of Tampa in Thonotosassa. 29 QSOs in the log, a beautiful Florida morning, and another new park checked off. Everything uploaded to pota.app.
The park
Hillsborough River State Park is old Florida at its finest. Spanish moss draped oaks, the dark tannin-stained river winding through the landscape, and historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s give this park a character you don't find at the coastal spots. It's quiet, shaded, and feels miles away from the city even though Tampa is right down the road. A genuinely beautiful operating environment.
The reason for the visit
Planned activation. New park in the log.
The setup
Standard field kit — Xiegu X6200 at 5 watts, Raspberry Pi 4 running DigiPi, Android tablet for spotting and control, 18.3ft telescoping vertical with all 8 radials deployed, and the DIY LiFePO4 battery box handling power. Beautiful day with a nice breeze — not too hot, very few people around. One of the more comfortable operating conditions I've had in a while.
On the air
Started on 40 meters and got nothing — the bands were not cooperating today. QSY'd to 20 meters FT8 and that's where all 29 contacts came from. Conditions were rough overall but FT8 digital did what it always does — punched through where voice couldn't have.
Went live on TikTok during the session. Cell service at Hillsborough River is iffy at best — the feed dropped in and out throughout the live but I stayed on anyway. If you were watching and the stream cut out, that's why. The activation was solid even if the internet wasn't.
Would I activate here again?
Yes. The park is beautiful, the shade from the oaks is welcome on a warm Florida morning, and the environment is completely different from the coastal parks I've been doing. Worth having in the regular rotation.
Full log uploaded to pota.app. 73 de W4GGJ
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