by William Eric McFadden

Pictures

Description

Eric's station, with the Charles Young House in the background -- click to enlarge Two members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team succeeded in activating Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument as part of the ARRL's year-long National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, activated Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, MN18 (link) in Wilberforce, Ohio.

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 the cold temperature, Eric chose to operate inside the car and he chose to power the transceiver using the car's power socket instead of his 5aH gel-cell. Eric was on the air at 1749 UTC.

Eric started operating on 40m and his first QSO there came almost immediately at 1750 UTC with VA3DX. QSOs on 40m came quickly and steadily with Eric's 14th QSO coming at 1802 UTC with N4EX. Eric changed to 20m and his first QSO there came at 1807 UTC with W2DEN. QSOs on 20m came steadily and Eric's 18th and final QSO came at 1810 UTC with KA7T. All Eric's QSOs were made at the 5-watt level.

Miles did not operate but helped with set-up and tear-down and did most of the activation photography.

Map:

(return)