From the Lake Hope State Park website:

Lake Hope State Park offers a truly relaxing, yet rustic getaway from the high speed of modern life. The entire park lies within the Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. The park's heavily forested region is marked by steep gorges and narrow ridges with remnants of abandoned mining and iron-producing industries.

The park surrounds the lake and boasts a wooded family campground and a variety of cabins for families and gatherings of all sizes, including the roomy Laurel Lodge. No visit to the park is complete without a stop in the dining lodge for a hearty meal.

From the Zaleski State Forest website:

The 27,822-acre Zaleski State Forest is the second largest forest in Ohio's system of state forests.

Zaleski State Forest operates the only state-owned sawmill in Ohio. The mill produces rough sawn lumber for use by Ohio’s state forests and state parks as well as other government agencies.

Historic Moonville Tunnel is located within Zaleski State Forest on the Moonville Rail Trail right-of-way.

Pictures

The Keeton Cemetery sign
Keeton Cemetery
Eric's station

Description

On Friday, June 11, 2021, one member of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team performed a successful two-fer activation of Lake Hope State Park and Zaleski State Forest in Ohio as part of the Parks on the Air (POTA; link) program. Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, performed the impromptu two-fer activation on a gray, drizzly morning at the Keeton Cemetery within both Lake Hope State Park and Zaleski State Forest. Eric was accompanied by the two small dogs Theo and Mindy.

Eric and the dogs arrived at Keeton Cemetery at about 1350 UTC. While Mindy-dog explored, Eric quickly set up his 28½' wire vertical on his Jackite 31' telescoping fiberglass mast and drive-on mount and, because of the drizzle and threat of heavier rain, set up his KX3 inside his car. Eric was on the air at 1410 UTC.

Eric began operations on 40m by letting his KX3 send "CQ POTA" while he began to spot himself to POTA Spots using his smartphone. However, before he could finish placing his spot, his calls were answered by KC5F in North Carolina. Once spotted, Eric had a nice run of thirteen QSOs in sixteen minutes. This run included a park-to-park (P2P) QSO with WB2SMK who was activating Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor National Park Reserve (K-6532) in New York.

In all, Eric made fourteen QSOs, including one P2P QSO, in about half an hour. All of Eric's QSOs were CW and were made at the 5-watt level.

Eric also submitted his log to the World Wide Flora and Fauna in Amateur Radio (WWFF; link) program for Lake Hope State Park, KFF-1968.

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