K3HH, Hanburger’s Helpers ARC was active again this FD but with a different twist.  Rather than a long trek to the mountains of western Maryland the group got space for Saturday at the well visited Patapsco State Park in Baltimore County, Md. 

Operation was all battery powered throughout the approximately four hours and thirty minutes we operated one HF station and 1 VHF station on 6 and 2 meters.  The first 14 CW QSO’s on HF were made at the 5 watt level with a solar charged battery running the K3 to garner the bonus points for the natural power credit.  Setup was accomplished in short order with the G5RV antenna for HF and a mast mounted 6 meter dipole and 4 element 2 meter beam lashed to the shelter. 

Lunch was enjoyed by some with slowly cooked hot dogs while everyone settled in for the 2 PM EDT start.  Activity was quite limited on VHF but there was plenty of phone and CW activity on the HF station to keep everyone busy with operating time. 

As the XYL’s wanted a nice restaurant dinner, breakdown occurred about 6 PM and a good time was had by all parties.