by William Eric McFadden
Pictures
Description
One member of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team
succeeded in activating North Country National Scenic Trail as part of the ARRL's year-long
National Parks on the Air (link). Eric McFadden, WD8RIF,
traveled to Tom Jenkins Dam in Burr Oak State Park to activate the North Country
National Scenic Trail, TR04 (link). He was accompanied
by his wife Vickie, KC8MAJ, and by his daughter's puppy, Bo.
Eric, Vickie, and Bo arrived at Tom Jenkins Dam about 1745 UTC to find the picnic shelter unoccupied.
Eric's station consisted of his Enhanced KX3 Travel Kit,
his MFJ-1910 33' fiberglass telescoping mast and tripod, and a custom clipboard. Eric quickly
erected the 33' mast and used it to support his 28' end-fed wire antenna with three counterpoise
wires. The KX3 station was deployed just as quickly and Eric was on-the-air by about 1809 UTC.
Eric started operations on 20m. His first QSO was with AC5O at 1812 UTC. QSOs came steadily until Eric's seventh on 20m at 1820 UTC, whereupon he switched to 40m. Eric's first QSO on 40m was with K8SZN at 1829 with W3RLO at 1807 UTC. Eric's eleventh and final QSO was on 40m and was was with K4BBH at 1841 UTC. All QSOs were made at the 5-watt level.
Map:
(return)