Joint Point Lighthouse Op - Nov 23 & 24 MD/VA Border

I have received my permit to operate from Jones Point Lighthouse from the National Park Service.

Call: K1LFG/P
Date: Nov 23rd (afternoon) & 24th (all morning, and part of afternoon, conditions permitting)
Modes: SSB only (see restrictions)
Bands: 10m, 12m, 15m, 20m, 40m (late)
Location: Jones Point Park, Jones Point Lighthouse (ARLHS USA-409)
Virginia & Maryland border, very close to the District of Columbia southern border point. I will be operating from outside the lighthouse, with my portable station literally splitting the VA/MD border.

If there is enough interest (100+ QSO), I have permission to have special color QSL cards made with photos of the site, NPS / ARLHS logos, and other historical information.

Notes:

The permit is very restrictive; I can't have anything staked down, nothing attached to the trees or lighthouse, no commercial power or generators, can't block the walking paths, "voice only" (SSB), check in with park police, 1 person permitted, no shelters, the list goes on; it's 5 pages!

 

Nick,
You might want to pick out some approximate frequencies for each band and let us know what they are. Will you be monitoring any local repeaters ? Sounds like fun, I will try to give you a shout but all I have up for an antenna is 20 Meters and it usually is not worth a darn that close

Bill

 

What frequency on the 10 meter band?

Jerry
KA9PIJ

 

What 10 meter frequency and time will you be using?

Jerry
Ka9pij

 

made contact on 14.275

 

11/23 & 11/24 Jones Point Lighthouse Operation Information.
Thank you for all those who worked me! I was able to get over 100 QSO's and will have some custom QSL cards made soon. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to my QRZ Address and I will send the cards out once I get the cards designed and printed.


I was operating portable at Jones Point Park, part of the greater George Washington Memorial Parkway system run by the National Park Service. Specifically, I was right up against Jones Point Lighthouse (ARLHS USA-409)
This is a tri-border area, with VA, MD, and DC all having markers. The actual DC border on maps is showing just north of here in the river, so I had to settle with setting up at the closest point near the border stones. Below is a picture of the site.

NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/index.htm
Jones Point Park Website: http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/jonespoint.htm
ALRHS Website: http://wlol.arlhs.com/lighthouse/USA409.html
Coordinates: +38° 47' 25.46", -77° 2' 25.67" (38.790405, -77.040465)


Conditions were pretty cold and the wind kept the operation challenging. According to the weather.com, winds were sustained at NNW at 27mph and gusted to 39mph. Temps topped out at a mild 51F at noon and then dipped to 36F by 9pm, just as I was leaving the park. I had my power limited to 100 watts with battery and solar power. I made a few QRP contacts then moved up to 20 - 50 watts once the sun came out and the wind didn't blow away my thin-film solar panel.

Overall I am happy with the operation since I reached over 100 QSOs! If you weren't able to work me, have no worry; I will be applying again for another permit for spring and fall of next year.