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 in Ohio to activate the North Country National
Scenic Trail, TR04 (link).
Eric arrived at the site at 2106 UTC and after making proof-of-location photos of his GPS receiver and the North Country National Scenic Trail's trailhead sign, Eric quickly set up his station in the picnic shelter immediately adjacent to the trail.
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 by 2123 UTC.
Eric began operations on 20m and his first QSO came at 2124 UTC with N6PKT. QSOs came steadily with Eric making his 20th 20m QSO at 2143 UTC with AB7RW. Eric switched to 40m and his first QSO there came at 2147 UTC with W8AI/M. Eric made two more QSOs on 40m and his 23rd and final QSO came at 2154 UTC with N2CX. All QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.
Highlights of the operation were the QSOs with K9FD in Hawaii, EA7LL in Spain, and CU3AA in the Azores, all three of which have answered Eric's CQ at previous activations. Indeed, over half of the stations Eric worked during this activation were stations he has worked multiple times at previous activations. Do these stations just like to help NPOTA Activators? Are they're trying to help the effort to reach the 1 million NPOTA QSO mark? Either way, Eric very much appreciates their support and looks forward to hearing their callsigns many more times this year.
Map:
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