Riverview Forest Park

On our last outing Ralph had spotted the Riverview Forest Park as one that had never been activated in the Parks on the Air program. He was determined to be the first to do it. So last week we set a goal that we would go there at our first opportunity. That day came on Tuesday when the day was clear and sunny an absolutely lovely day to be outside though a bit cool.

Ralph arrived at my place a bit before noon and we loaded the car and set out for the park. The navcom estimated our arrival at 12:26, it was less than a minute off when we arrived at the end of the cul de sac where a trail into the park was available. We parked and gathered our gear into the cart. Right past the gate there was a nice park bench that was ideal for one of us to use. As Ralph wanted to get the first contact I suggested he take that so he could set up and get going quicker lest I beat him to the first contact. He agreed and so he dropped his gear on the bench and I continued along the trail.

There was a nice gravel trail heading up slope from the bench but it was going the wrong direction for me. Fortunately, there was a side trail branching off that did go my way. That trail was not as well developed and though quite well used it was rough and tree roots were exposed along the route. It made for a bumpy and slow walk with the cart. After several minutes I felt I was far enough away from Ralph that I could set up the antenna. I continued a bit further looking for a slightly less dense patch of trees. There wasn’t much thinning but I did find a stretch where the trail was oriented much along the direction I wanted to stretch the antenna. So, I decided it was the spot.

I parked my cart and started to place the antenna. I needed to be wary of all the ground clutter which loves to snag thin wire antennas. Therefore, I only stretched the wires out partially and then raised the mast before continuing to unwind the wire and attach it to a support – a branch on one end and one of my poles on the other. The antenna was up and then I took a few photos before finishing to set up the radio. I got my table and seat ready and started on the 15m band. There were a couple of spots posted so I dialed in the first but heard nothing the second though was very strong and I now had my first contact in the log and a park-to-park at that, the time was 12:51. I moved up frequency a bit and started calling.

About then a dog had come up behind me on the trail and stuck its nose in my face. I hadn’t been aware of its approach due to wearing my headphones and having my back to the trail! It was a friendly but a bit of a surprise, the lady walking the dog apologised but it wasn’t really needed.  Back at my radio, the responses started coming and soon I had the needed 10 in the log. The responses were coming much faster than last time out. After about 30 minutes I had 20 in the log and Ralph called on the handheld to say he also had 20 and that a wind had come up and he wanted to head to the closest Starbucks.

Well, I had enough in the log and though I wanted to keep going a while longer I decided to pack up and head out. I was in a brief lull so I signed off and started to disassemble the station. The ground litter did grab at the wires a few times but fortunately no major snags occurred today. I made my way back along the rough trail trying to avoid the biggest of the roots crossing the trail. Ralph was no longer at the bench but waiting by the car so I continued out of the park and met him at the car. We then made for the Starbucks we noticed on our way here. It was in a mall on Austin street and Mariner Way – very close to where we were operating. A leisurely coffee and chat and then off to home. When we arrived home Ralph told me that he logged his first contact at 12:50! He only beat me by a minute! I was very surprised that it had taken him that long to get set up and operating. I had thought my slow walk along the trail would have given him ample time to get going. At least he did manage the first contact. Now we can plan for our next adventure.