so i finally did my first activation last weekend at a state park about 45 minutes from home, K-4689 if anyone knows it. i had been hunting parks for a few months and thought i understood how it went but man actually being the one running the pile was a completely different experience. i brought my KX2 and a random wire i threw up between two trees and it actually worked pretty well, got signal reports ranging all over the place but most people seemed to copy me fine.

the part that got me was just managing the flow of contacts. i kept forgetting to send the park reference in my exchanges and a couple hunters were asking me to repeat it. also had one guy who just would not stop transmitting over everyone else to get his contact in, not sure if thats normal or if i just attracted that one guy. ended up with 22 QSOs which i know isnt a lot but i was happy with it for a first time out. definitely going back to try for a higher count next time. anyone have tips for staying organized when the pile gets going?

22 contacts for a first activation is totally respectable, dont let anyone tell you otherwise. the park reference thing is something almost everyone forgets at first, i used to write it on a sticky note and put it right on my radio. sounds dumb but it works. as for the alligator in the pile, yeah unfortunately that happens, some hunters get really intense about it especially if theyre chasing a new state or trying to complete a challenge. best thing i found is just stay calm, work the ones you can hear clearly, and if someone is just steamrolling everybody sometimes calling QRZ firmly and starting fresh helps reset the pile a little. also try logging on paper and pota plus at the same time if you can, makes upload way easier after.

the pileup management thing is honestly the hardest part imo. i did like 6 activations before i felt even slightly comfortable with it. one thing that helped me was listening to other activators on the spotting network before i ever went out myself, just to hear how they handled things. some guys do tail ending, some work by number, some just go full chaos and somehow it works out. you'll find your own rhythm. also 22 is solid especially on a random wire, ive had activations where i barely squeaked by with 10 on a good antenna so dont be too hard on yourself