[FCARC] Ohio State Parks on the Air

[Craig Szczublewski]

We had another great year running in the O.S.P.O.T.A. contest from Harrison Lake 
State Park.  As usual, some thanks are in order:

- To KD8ERB, Thanks Kenny for working to get us into a shelter house and all the 
running around you did for us.
- To N8EUY, Thanks George and Bev for not only the all day use of your 
generator, but the tasty, tasty pizza we had for lunch.

We ended up operating from the North Shelter House instead of Marzolf (last 
minute change) but I think everyone figured that out during the course of the 
day.  North lacks utility power, but N8EUY's generator never broke a sweat for 
the duration of the contest.  We strung our antennas for NVIS (low to the 
ground) which got a few more state parks this year (43 in all) and 107 total 
QSOs.  Even with NVIS configured, we had a few out of state contacts, including 
Canada and into Europe.  The weather was splendid as well.  It was nice to have 
the contest ahead of warmer temps we've had the past few days.  We did get a bit 
of rain in the middle of the day, but that was of no concern.

Thanks to all who stopped out to visit and to call CQ from the rigs.  It was a 
very nice turnout with some familiar faces and some who we don't get to see that 
often.  We plan on returning again next year (the first Saturday after Labor 
Day), and next years plans will include a mid-afternoon cookout/picnic for all 
club members (we'll provide the the burgers and dogs, bring a dish/snack to 
share), so mark your calendars for September 6th, 2014 and we'll hope to see you 
then.

If anyone has pictures from the day, please pass them in my direction.  I have a 
few from my camera phone here:

http://www.k8bxq.org/photos/album/203

Thanks again folks, see you all next Monday at the club meeting.


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Craig Szczublewski - KD8KBU