by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
Description
One member of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team succeeded
in activating William Howard Taft National Historical Site as part of the ARRL's year-long
National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden, WD8RIF,
performed a solo activation of William Howard Taft National Historic Site, NS78 (link)
in Cincinnati, Ohio on a cool, wet December afternoon.
Upon arriving at the park, Eric spoke with the ranger and Eric stamped his Passport 2016. Eric was given permission to set up in the overflow parking area behind the historic Taft house and Education 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. Because of the temperature (39°F), Eric chose to set up the transceivers in the car. For this operation, Eric powered his transceiver with the car's accessory power socket. Eric was on the air by 2015 UTC.
Eric started operating on 40m and his first QSO there came at 2019 UTC with K8AI. QSOs came slowly on 40m with Eric's 5th QSO coming at 2041 UTC with W0RT. Eric switched to 20m and his first QSO there came at 2059 UTC with K9CJM. QSOs on 20m came quickly with Eric's 13th and final QSO coming at 2105 UTC with KG5PFD. All of Eric's QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.
Eric recorded an outside temperature of 44°F but after setting up the cold he remained comfortable inside the car during the operation.
Map:
(return)