One of the fun events sponsored by the Parks on the Air group os the annual News Years event. The task is to get out to a park during the first week of the year and make some radio contacts. This year I (Eric VA7NX) decided to go out on January 1 and then on the 4th to activate Campbell Valley Park. This year was extremely mild and there was no snow to make the challenge harder and even the rain held off. When I operate at the park I like to use the covered picnic table area which works very nicely for setting up a radio and antenna. For my activations I use my KX3 radio with the 100 watt amplifier. On January I started on the 15m band and then moved to 10m completing 81 contacts in just over an hour and a half. On the 4th I worked in reverse, starting on 10m and moving to 15m completing 68 contacts in 75 minutes of operating. Both days were great ones to be outdoors enjoying the sun. 

For a more in-depth story see:  scenicart.ca/content/new-years-campbell-valley-park