Activation Report: Sawgrass Lake Park (US-6700) — May 18, 2026
- 4 min reading time
Mode: FT8 · Bands: 40m / 20m · Radio: Xiegu X6200 · Power: 5W · QSOs: 18
One bag. Everything in it.
Sawgrass again. Parking lot at 7:27 AM, on the air at 7:37 AM. Ten minutes from car to first CQ — and this time the whole station came out of a single backpack.
The New Setup
This was the first real field test of the new one-bag system and it delivered. The 2×8Ah LiFePO4 batteries ride inside the 50L MOLLE backpack, held together with quick-release straps. The 3D-printed power box mounts to the outside MOLLE webbing — a 4-in-1 panel with a master on/off switch, PD Type-C and QC 3.0 charging with voltmeter, Anderson Power Pole connectors, and a cigarette lighter socket. The Radioddity HF-010 goes inside in its case. The Xiegu X6200 and Raspberry Pi 4 running DigiPi go into the WINDCAMP bag inside the pack. NanoVNA, tablet, and bandpass filters round out the kit. No ammo can. No second bag. No second trip to the car.
Caption: Started on 40m — seven QSOs before switching bands
On the Air
First contact — KN4BIT — in the log at 7:37 AM on 40m. SWR at 1.56, five watts, 7.074. Seven contacts came in before the rate dried up. Normal for a mid-May morning on the low band.
Switched to 20m at 8:27 AM. SWR dropped to 1.08 and the band opened up. Eleven more contacts followed, including VA3GHB and VE2FVV both calling in from Quebec. Last QSO at 9:21 AM. Packed up immediately after and was out of the park in ten minutes.
Caption: 20m at 8:27 AM — SWR 1.08, Quebec calling in
No memorable moments, no drama. Quick in-and-out. That was the point.
Activation Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Activation # | 22 |
| Park | Sawgrass Lake Park |
| Park Ref | US-6700 |
| Date | May 18, 2026 |
| On Air | 7:37 AM |
| First Contact | KN4BIT — 7:37 AM |
| Notable DX | VE2FVV — Quebec, Canada |
| Total QSOs | 18 |
| 40m QSOs | 7 |
| 20m QSOs | 11 |
| Power | 5W |
| Band | 40m / 20m FT8 |
| Radio | Xiegu X6200 |
| Antenna | Radioddity HF-010 |
| Weather | Sunny, 80°F, E winds 10–15 mph |
All-Time POTA Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Activations | 22 |
| Unique Parks | 13 |
| Total QSOs | 596 |
| Best Activation | 75 QSOs — Skyway Fishing Pier (US-1916) |
Full log uploaded to pota.app. Photos and video from the activation on TikTok @grumpagrinch. New to POTA or FT8? My book FT8 for the First Time is available on Amazon Kindle and paperback. Join the conversation on the Tava One Discord.