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 2026 Hams in the Park.
We had a Hams in the park every month on the second Saturday of the month. We had no weather problems this year and all planned Hams in the Park activities took place.
We thank all participants who made this year’s activities a success and hope to see you all again in March 2027.
We will resume Hams in the Park in March 2027.
For 2027 we consider making every Hams in the Park a limited power event of 10W or less. Having sometimes up to 6 stations in close vicinity makes it sometimes challenging to operate without interference problems. We did try bandpass filters with varying success. Some receivers are better than others but not everyone should have a chance to operate with what they have. Please send me your opinion about the 2027 new low power rule for Hams in the Park by using this form:
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.
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.
