by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
- Eric posing with the Interpretive Center sign; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric posing with the NCNST trailhead marker; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric operating; photo by Miles McFadden
Description
Three members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team succeeded in activating
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and North Country National Scenic Trail
as part of the ARRL's year-long National Parks on the Air (link).
Eric McFadden, WD8RIF; Miles McFadden, KD8KNC; and Tom Witherspoon, K4SWL, activated Dayton Aviation Heritage
National Historical Park, HP11 (link) and the North Country
National Scenic Trail, TR04 (link) at the Huffman Prairie Flying Field
Interpretive Center on their way to the Dayton Hamvention.
The trio arrived at the Interpretive Center at 2055 UTC. Eric stamped his Passport 2016 and spoke with the ranger who gave permission to set up the stations at the Interpretive Center entrance, at the junction with the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Because Tom was busily updating his blog (SWLing.com) and social media with reports of his previous two activations of the day, he chose not to set up or operate.
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 and Miles set up the station alongside the attractive stone wall at the entrance to the park and Eric was on the air about 2115 UTC.
Eric operated only on 40m and his first QSO was with K8JE at 2118 UTC. Thereafter, it was a continuous pile-up until Eric's 16th and last QSO with K0HNC at 2132 UTC. All QSOs were made at the 5-watt level.
Miles did not operate but helped with set-up and tear-down and did much of the activation photography.
Map:
(return)