by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
Description
One member 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, 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. Eric was accompanied by his daughter Kate, KD8KNB, and Kate's dog, Bo.
Upon arriving at the Interpretive Center, Eric stamped his Passport 2016 and spoke with the ranger who readily gave Eric permission to perform the operation at the park gate at the intersection of the park and the North Country National Scenic Trail.
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.
At the gate, Eric phoned Wright-Patterson AFB security forces to alert them of his activities and then quickly deployed his antenna and radio close to the stone wall. Eric was on the air by 1600 UTC.
Eric started operations on 20m and his first QSO came at 1602 UTC with KC5BG. QSOs came steadily until Eric's 17th QSO on 20m at 1618 UTC with AF5Q. Eric switched to 40m and made a quick QSO with N2CX who was activating the WR24+AA17 two-fer at 1620 UTC. All QSOs were made at the 5-watt level.
Eric recorded at temperature of 42°F at his key during this operation.
A highlight of the operation was having an eye-ball QSO with Hank Greeb, N8XX, who arrived at the site for an activation just before Eric was to begin tearing down his station. Hank, who hails from Michigan, was in southwestern Ohio for Thanksgiving with his son.
Map:
(return)