by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
- Eric's station; photo by Miles McFadden
- The view from the operating location; photo by Miles McFadden
- Eric operating; photo by Miles McFadden
Description
Two members of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team
succeeded in activating Cuyahoga Valley National Park as part of the ARRL's
year-long National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden,
WD8RIF and Miles McFadden, KD8KNC activated Cuyahoga Valley National Park, NP14 (link)
at the Columbia Run Picnic Area on a cold, snow late-December evening.
The pair arrived at the Boston Store Visitor Center to find it nearly empty of visitors. After Eric stamped his Passport 2016, he and Miles drove the short distance north to the Columbia Run Picnic Area where they set up for the activation.
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. For this activation Eric chose
to use a handy tree to support the 28½' end-fed wire instead of using the mast. Because of the
cold temperature, Eric chose to operate inside the car. Eric was on the air by 2104 UTC.
Eric began operations on 20m and his first QSO came at 2108 UTC with M4NM. QSOs came steadily until Eric's 10th QSO at 2124 UTC with K7UT. Eric switched to 40m and his first QSO there came at 2128 UTC with K2XE. QSOs on 40m came quickly until Eric's 33rd and final QSO at 2149 UTC with WA4FJK. All of Eric's QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.
Miles did not operate but helped Eric with set-up and tear-down and did all of the activation photography.
Map:
(return)