Radio Days in The Park and the Contest and Special Events SIG collaborated on an outing to the Titan Missile National Historic Landmark this past Saturday, March 15, 2025. We had a great time using the huge Discone (aka Discage) antenna to workstations across the continent (surprisingly no DX). Many RST members came to support the operation, and many of them took a turn operating the station.


This was going to be a simple outing: the antenna is already there, just bring a battery and a radio and you’re good to go, right? Then reality kicked in. The final station included the radio, logging computer, 600-watt amplifier, antenna tuner, table and canopy, chairs, drinks and snacks. Thanks to Ken N7NBV for providing all of the above and transporting it to and from the site.


We spent most of the afternoon on 20 meters, but with a good chunk of time on 15. Almost all SSB, though Bill N7DZ did do a short CW session. Most of the time we had a pileup, which was a lot of fun. In the end, 214 contacts in 38 states, in about 4.5 hours. Many of the hams on the other end of the contact showed genuine excitement to be talking to a station at the missile site and using the discone. Some were vets that shared experience with this or similar sites around the country.


So, the operation was everything we wanted it to be. Many people showed up with enthusiasm, and many had fun operating. The sky threatened rain in the morning, but it never materialized. Most of the day was sunny and warm enough.


We will be happy to do this again in the fall and maybe make it an annual outing. Thanks to all who attended, operated, and helped set up and tear down. Below are a few highlight pix.
Ken N7NBV, Bill N7DZ, Lloyd K7NX, Helen KE2BPY, John AI7AZ, and Kirk W0PSN

Attendees and operators:

Kirk W0PSN (op)
Bill N7DZ (op)
Steve KK7GPR (op)
George K7HJ
John KI7YWO
Jay KB0TS
Gene W1BEL
Robert W7RFL (op)
Ulrich AC8PL
AJ KB7KZ
Tom KR6S
Dalton KK7QMP
Gary N7GSG
John AI7AZ
Brian KE0GNP
Jennifer Kirk
James W6JSD
Mary KK7UTD
Dan KJ7SYM
Barry K7GVB (op)
Dave K7GPS (op)
Ken N7NBV (op)
Jim KD7HZQ (op)
Dave KK7VLU
Helen KE2BPY (op)
Julian KK7PKA
Carolyn Raschke
Paul WA2KYW

Reported by Bill, N7DZ
Uploded by Ana, WV3RSE