by William Eric McFadden

Pictures

Description

Two members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team succeeded in activating Hopewell Culture National Historical Park as part of the ARRL's year-long National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, activated Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, HP15 (link) at the Mound City Group in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Eric and Miles arrived at the Mound City Group at about 1530 UTC. Eric stampled Passport 2016 and spoke to Ranger Susan Knisley who offered Eric the park's NPOTA banner.

As at previous activations, Eric's station consisted of his Enhanced KX3 Travel Kit, his MFJ-1910 33' fiberglass telescoping mast, and a custom clipboard. Because of gusty winds, Eric chose to extend his fiberglass only partially and his 28½' end-fed wire was more of a sloper than a vertical. Eric was on the air at 1547 UTC. Because of the gusty winds, Eric chose not to display the NPOTA banner.

Eric began operations on 20m and his first QSO came at 1553 with N9KW. QSOs came steadily until Eric made his 12th QSO on 20m at 1614 UTC with N7DQ. Eric then switched to 40m and made his first QSO there at 1617 UTC with N2AK. Eric made ten more QSOs on 40m with his 23rd and final QSO coming at 1627 UTC with KA4CDN who was activating NPOTA DZ05. All of Eric's QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.

As Eric began operating, fellow SEORAT-member KA4VNK arrived at the park with his wife and their dog for a quick NPOTA-activation on their to Xenia. Robert operated 40m SSB using a battery-powered 100-watt transceiver driving a Hamstick antenna mounted on the roof of his car. Eric had to leave the park before Robert finished his operation but Eric later learned that Robert did validate the activation.

Highlights of the activation were the QSO with Emily, KB3VVE, and the park-to-park QSO with KA4CDN.

Map:

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