by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
- Eric posing with the park sign; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric operating; photo by Miles McFadden
Description
Two members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team
succeeded in activating Hopewell Culture National Historical Park as part of the ARRL's
year-long National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden,
WD8RIF, and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, activated Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, HP15 (link)
at the Mound City Group in Chillicothe, Ohio. They were accompanied by Eric's wife Vickie, KC8MAJ,
who did participate in the operation.
The trio arrived at the Mound City Group at about 1815 UTC. After speaking with the ranger and stamping Eric's Passport 2016, Eric and Miles quickly set up Eric's station at a well-located picnic table in front of the Visitor Center.
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 1834 UTC.
Eric began operations on 40m and his first QSO came at 1835 with NA2X. QSOs came steadily and quickly until Eric made his 12th and final QSO at 1853 UTC with AB0TO. Eric had planned to spend a little time on 20m but found the CW sub-band to too full of contest station and didn't try to make any contacts there. All of Eric's QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.
Highlights of the operation were a QSOs with W8KVK, N8XX, and fellow SEORAT-member K8RAT.
Miles did not operate but helped Eric with set-up and tear-down and did all of the activation photography.
Map:
(return)