For the 2nd year, the Midland Amateur Radio Club (MARC) had a presence at the Hope Township Woodside Park Summer Festival on July 19. While attendance for the hams was slightly down from last year, we had two operating positions active.
This is a great opportunity to not only support our local park system and Hope Township. It was also a chance for hams to activate the Kawkawlin Watershed Park, US-6711, which is part of the Parks on the Air (POTA) operating event. POTA is an operating activity where hams can go to designated parks, set up in the field and practice emergency communications. There were 6 hams in attendance: Wendy Russell, K8WSR; John Tallman, KB8PGW; Ric Sauer, KD0RMK; Mitchell Boyce, W8DOD; Kathy Peters, KD0JHX; and Art Peters, K0ACP. Also in attendance was Maverick, K9DOG, the Peters’ labradoodle. The group activated the park with 38 phone contacts, 16 CW or Morse Code contacts and sent 1 ARRL Radiogram via Winlink. As a surprise, Art, K0ACP, received an email from Lyle Maystruck, VE5EE from Regina, SK that his VHF APRS beacon was received by Lyle (highly unusual propagation). But the highlight of the event was when Wendy, K8WSR, logged 8 Hams doing a group activation at a park in Canada.
The pictures show the operating setup and give a glimpse of the great weather that was enjoyed by all.
Hope to see you at our next Activation. Watch the Discord server MEMCOMM, the W8KEA website, or tune into the Thursday evening VHF net at 7:30 pm. on the W8KEA repeater on 147.000MHz with a 103.5 tone for more details.
