Summary of HF activities OBRA (as W4PCN) at NPS sites.
Since 2016 OBRA has partnered with NPS on several special events and also at regularly scheduled NPS events. While there is only a small contingent of OBRA HF enthusiasts, we have a great time doing HF events, particularly as part of an NPS event. Many of us are also active in Parks on the Air (POTA) and do individual activations as well. Below is the summary of NPS/OBRA activations for 2022 that I sent to NPS. A BIG Thank you to those of you that joined in the events. We are looking forward to doing much more HF this year. I hope to see you at the OBRA activations.
2024 HF Activities scheduled as of February 3, 2024
Winter Field Day in Salvo, NC in the Day Use Area on January 27-28, 2024
ARRL Field Day June 22-23, 2024. Location TBD
National Light House Day at Bodie Lighthouse, August 7, 2024.
International Light House Day at Bodie Lighthouse, August 17-18, 2024
Aviation Day at Wright Memorial, August 19, 2024
Wright Brothers First Flight Celebration at Wright Memorial, December 17, 2024
2/26/2023 10:00 am – 8:00 pm This is an individual event and not a club activity.
6/24 – 25/2023 18:00 UTC – 20:59 UTC ARRL Field Day Location TBD
8/19/2023 Aviation Day More details will follow.
8/19-20/2023 International Lighthouse and Lightship (ILLW) weekend 00:01 UTC – 24:00 UTC 48 hours. Details TBD closer to the event.
12/17/2023 The Celebration of First Flight at Wright Brothers National Memorial.
We may be a small group this year. I expect other hams will show up who have not confirmed but for planning purposes we will be the WBNM team.
The NPS is expecting 40 Beechcraft aircraft to fly in and park on the grounds. That is in addition to the other aircraft that generally show up. The point is it is going to be busy at the memorial. I have attached a map with a note on where we will be set up. It will be a bit further around the memorial than our usual spot. It is still near the Pilot’s House and the bathrooms. We are to park in the grassy area by the picnic tables. Once the aircraft arrive the memorial loop will be closed towards the visitors center and the rest will be two way. If you plan on arriving late you will need to come all the way around until you see our set up. It will be near the turn around.
I will be arriving at ~7:00 am, coming through the back gate by the maintenance shed. I will be bringing my trailer so we will have a secure location no matter the weather. The long term weather report shows light rain in the afternoon with thunderstorms moving in overnight Sunday into Monday. The NPS expects a large turnout – 120th anniversary, OK weather, large displays, flyovers and it’s a Sunday. Bring what you need as going back out may be an issue until the afternoon. Snacks, lunch, drinks, a chair and appropriate clothing as always.
I will have my trailer and assorted HF antennas/rigs. I will also set up 2M and monitor the 145.110 repeater.
I will bring one folding table and a canopy. I think I have two sides for the canopy.
I think we should change it up a bit this time and do this as a full blown POTA activation. I heard a group Sunday of 4 ops using the same rig. I think we should do the same thing and each get credit for the activation. 20 has been opening up around 8 – 8:30 lately. Once I have spotted myself it has been crazy, 70 -80 or so contacts in 40 minutes or so. Bring whatever you plan to log with.
Bring your gear and let’s have some fun.
Duane Turberville. N1PLV
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Past Activities in 2022
6/25/2022 ARRL Field Day at Fort Raleigh: 61 contacts; 18 states; 2 countries We had several visitors stop by to see what we were doing – no takers on getting on the air.
8/19/2022 Aviation Day at the Wright Brothers National Memorial: 53 contacts; 22 states; 2 countries Lots of visitors curious about what we were doing, a couple of out of state hams got on the air.
8/21/2022 International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend at Bodie Island Lighthouse: 24 contacts; 10 states; 3 countries We had numerous technical difficulties but still managed to make some contacts. We met several of the visitors and NPS personnel.
12/10/2022 Special event station at Bodie Island Lighthouse: 60 contacts; 11 states; 3 countries We had originally applied for a special event station for the 150th anniversary of the lighting of the current lighthouse for 10/1/2022, unfortunately that event got re-scheduled due to Hurricane Ian and was moved originally to 12/10 – we changed the date of the special event to 12/10. When the event got moved to 11/12, we hoped to be able to participate in a limited way due to the OBX Marathon being the same weekend (OBRA provides communications support for the Marathon), with the weather forecast we unfortunately had to cancel for 11/12.
12/17/2022 119th celebration of First Flight at the WBNM: 235 contacts; 33 states; 5 countries We also had numerous visitors and had a couple of guest operators (one Dare County EMS), very good day in cool and breezy conditions. The area by the Pilots facilities is a great place for OBRA to set up. It seems we get a few more visitors dropping by at each event. We had several people actively looking for us with questions about amateur radio and emergency communications.
