by William Eric McFadden

Pictures

Description

Eric's station, next to a mound -- click to enlarge 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, on the last day of the National Park Service Centennial and the last day of the ARRL's National Parks on the Air.

Upon arrival at the Visitor Center, Eric stamped his Passport 2016 and spoke with the Ranger Kate who readily gave Eric permission to operate and gave him the NPOTA banner to display.

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. Because of the cool temperature, Eric chose to operate inside the car and he chose to power the transceiver using the car's power socket instead of his 5aH gel-cell. Eric was on the air at 1459 UTC.

Eric started operations on 40m and his first QSO came at 1504 UTC with NO2D. QSOs came steadily with Eric's 5th QSO on 20m coming at 1514 UTC with AK5SD. Eric switched to 40m and his first QSO there came at 1518 UTC with NV4G. QSOs on 40m came continuously until Eric's 20th and final QSO came at 1835 UTC with KD9FM. All Eric's QSOs were CW 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:

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