by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
- Eric posing with the park sign; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric operating at Mount Washington Tavern; photo by Miles McFadden
Description
Two members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team
succeeded in activating Fort Necessity National Battlefield as part of the ARRL's
year-long National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden,
WD8RIF, and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, activated Fort Necessity National Battlefield, BF05 (link)
in Pennsylvania.
The pair arrived at the Fort Necessity at about 1545 UTC. Eric stamped his Passport 2016 and spoke with the rangers who gave him permission to set up at the Mount Washington Tavern. Eric and Miles went up the hill to Mount Washington Tavern, surveyed the site, and decided to set up the station right at the left-front corner of the historic structure.
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. Eric was on the air at 1617 UTC.
Eric operated only on 40m and his first QSO came immediately at 1617 UTC with N8XX who was mainly participating in the NY QSO Party. QSOs came quite steadily and quickly until Eric made his 17th and final QSO at 1636 UTC with K8DOC. All of Eric's QSOs were CW and were made at the 5-watt level.
In addition to the lovely mid-October weather and colorful fall foliage, highlights of the operation were QSOs with N8XX, Hank; KB3VVE, Emily; and fellow SEORAT-member K8RAT, Mike.
Miles did not operate but helped Eric with set-up and tear-down and did almost all of the activation photography.
After tearing down the station, Eric and Miles took the time to tour the Mount Washington Tavern.
Map:
(return)