by William Eric McFadden

Pictures

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.

Eric and Miles arrived at the Mound City Group at about 1530 UTC. Eric stamped Passport 2016 and spoke to the Ranger who offered Eric the park's NPOTA banner.

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 1540 UTC.

Eric began operations on 20m and his first QSO came at 1543 with W6MYN. QSOs came steadily until Eric made his 18th QSO on 20m at 1605 UTC with VE6UX. Eric then switched to 40m and made his first QSO there at 1609 UTC with K3MRK.Eric made five more QSOs on 40m with his 16th and final QSO coming at 1616 UTC with KB9S. All of Eric's QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.

Highlights of the activation were QSOs with EA7LL in Spain and OK1DVM in the Czech Republic.

Miles did not operate but helped with set-up and tear-down and did all of the activation photography.

Map:

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