The HacDC Amateur Radio Club is planning for a very special presentation to be held on October 21, 2017 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. This event was originally scheduled for May, but was cancelled on the day of the event due to rain. We are finalizing our official permit with the NPS at this time for the event, but anticipate no problems, since it is essentially a re-issuance of the initial request, which was approved.
Stuart Thomas / KB1HQS will be our very special guest. During the 2016 ARRL National Parks on the Air initiative, Stuart earned top honors by racking up over 500 activations. He will be giving us a hands-on demonstration in the field of the types of equipment and antennas he utilized to help him achieve his first place status in the initiative. In addition to being an accomplished author and experienced outdoorsman, Stuart is a recognized expert in the area of mobile and portable amateur radio operations. He wrote the section on Portable and Mobile Operation in the “ARRL Operating Manual – 11th Edition”; articles for “QST” Magazine; and has a book in progress with the League on portable and mobile operations.
To find out more about Stuart, please go to his website: www.kb1hqs.com
After the demonstration station is set-up and the presentation is finished (approximately one hour), we will use the opportunity to activate the park under the World Wide Flora and Fauna Parks on the Air Program – Park Number KFF-0656, ending no later than 5:00 PM. In the event of RAIN, we will be forced to cancel, as the equipment he will be utilizing is not water resistant.
We will be meeting at Rock Creek Park, near the benches in picnic area 23 (black circle with the number “23” in the picture below), which is located just to the South side of the Tennis Center.
Keep in mind that there are several ways in which to gain access to the area, but the physical address to the tennis center itself is: 4850 Colorado Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20011
This should be a GREAT TIME! Lots to see, learn and do. ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME AND PARTICIPATE.
Even if you don’t have an amateur radio license, there will be licensed amateur operators available to help you make your first contacts on the air!!!
Like all of our amateur radio meetings, this event is FREE TO ATTEND!
Please note: If you plan to bring your own food or beverages, glass containers and balloons are not permitted in the park. Also, nothing may be staked into the ground nor attached to any natural or man-made structure (for example, you may not attach hammocks to trees, erect tent covers that use poles that stake into the ground, use lawn umbrellas that stake into the ground, etc.). If you have any questions about the event, please call me. My contact information is listed below.
Thanks. We hope to see you there!
“73” (Best Wishes) – Jeff Dahn / KB3ZUK
President / HacDC Amateur Radio Club
Mobile (240) 304-9148