by William Eric McFadden

Pictures

Description

Eric's station -- click to enlarge 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). In what might have been his most frustrating and challenging activation to date, 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), on Christmas Day, 2016.

Eric arrived at the site at 1522 UTC and made proof-of-location photos of his GPS receiver and the North Country National Scenic Trail's trailhead sign.

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 2037 UTC.

Eric began operations on 40m and his first QSO came immediately at 2037 UTC, even before Eric began to call "CQ", in response to hearing N8XX calling him. Eric made an additional three QSOs on 40m with his 4th QSO coming at 2050 UTC. Eric switched to 20m and his first QSO there came at 2100 UTC with NK6A. Eric's 11th and final QSO came at 2118 UTC with W7JKC. All QSOs were CW made at the 5-watt level.

Map:

(return)