Hams in the park
Hams in the park is another activity of the North Shore Radio Club. The idea is to set up a portable station away from home. With less-than-ideal antennas and multiple stations transmitting close together it can be a challenge to operate but you will learn the skills to deal with that. There is no pressure on making a specific number of contacts or register on any sites. Just come out and have some fun. You can ask questions, and the more experienced operators are happy to help or give tips on how to improve your setup. We also have some of club members just show up to see what is going on or get some ideas on how to setup their own station. Because we are in a public place, we also have people walk by and asking what we are doing and stay to listen to the QSOs.
Learn how to improvise and how to set up a station in less-than-ideal conditions. Even if you don’t have a radio come by and see what we are up to. Maybe team up with someone and help setting up or taking it down.
Ample free parking, benches and tables. However, lately we have a good showing and it is advised to arrive on time (between 1pm and 2pm) to have a good spot.
Brian (KD9RFW), Jay (W8JAY) and Udo (N0LSRL (from left to right..)
Great turnout for our August Hams in the Park.
It was a low power activity (10W or less). Unfortunately, the band conditions were miserable, but still everyone had a good time. It was an excellent opportunity to see different antenna types in operation.
Wo have a Hams in the park every month on the second Saturday of the month from around 1pm to about 4pm. If the weather is bad we will try the next weekend.
Come out to the park if you have a radio or not. A good opportunity to experiment with different antennas and to hone your skills for emergency operation. Should the weather be bad we will postpone for one week.
Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve
24830 Saint Mary's Road, At Intersection Of Everett Rd, Mettawa, IL 60045
We set up in the picnic area by the main parking lot starting at 1pm and break down around 3pm or later. If it should rain on that day we will try the week after.
For directions click on this link.
Should the weather be bad we will do it a week later.
We have two more events planned this year:
September 12, 2026
October 10, 2026
A good practice is to have a “GO BAG” with all the necessary equipment and cables ready to go. How disappointing it is if you arrive at location and the one piece of cable is missing . But still check it that everything is working frequently, all batteries charged and consider packing a spare power cable or coax patch cable with the different connectors, just in case if something breaks.
Then you are ready should “the s**t hit the fan”.
Hope to see you there.
Hams in the Park 2025
Some pictures from our 2025 season.
