by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
- Eric at the Huffman Prairie Field Interpretive Center sign; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric at the North Country National Scenic Trail trailhead-marker at the Intrepretive Center; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric operating under the oak tree; photo by Miles McFadden
Description
Two 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, and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, 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 while in Dayton, Ohio after attendind a USO concert
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band the previous day.
Eric and Miles arrived at the Interpretive Center right as the Center opened at 1300 UTC. Eric stamped his Passport 2016 and spoke with the ranger.
The weather was drizzly and threatening heavier rain and Eric was concerned about having to operate inside the family-van, which would mean he'd not be able to activate the NCNST portion of the two-fer. However, once he and Miles went to the actual location of the two-fer, they were pleased to find that the oak tree there provided sufficient shelter from the drizzle to allow the two-fer to proceed.
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 by 1324 UTC and made his first QSO at 1325 UTC with WD0BL. QSOs came steadily thereafter until he made his eleventh and final QSO with W2JU at 1336 UTC. All QSOs were made at the 5-watt level.
Miles did not operate but helped with set-up and tear-down and did all of the activation photography.
Map:
(return)