Kb3uaf
Member
Anybody activate the park? Been wanting to do this, just wondering where to set up and if I need to talk to the Rangers first.
POTA Gettysburg Military Park
- Thread starter Kb3uaf
- Start date
bolo928
Newbie
Gettysburg National Military Park has been activated several times. Parks on the Air | POTA | Parks program for amateur radio.
I haven't operated their but an antenna on Little Round Top would be a good location.
I haven't operated their but an antenna on Little Round Top would be a good location.
W4AXW
A keeper of the SSB flame
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2024
- Messages
- 93
Or Cemetery Hill or Culp's Hill or Oak Hill.....
Kb3uaf
Member
I know it's been activated, just looking for additional info, where others have set up before me. And it's a site to be respectful of, just wondered what the Rangers will say when they see when they see my little car with a 17' whip on top.
k6cpo
Member
When I was there a number of years back, there was nobody on Big Round Top, probably because it was a bit of a hike to the summit.
W3DMV
Member
According to the POTA website, the park has been activated 443 times
for 12191 QSO'S. This fall would be a great time to come. Most tourist
have gone home for the year.
Park rangers: There is a park ranger building but it is not open to the
public so making direct contact with them is difficult.
I've operated there many times with a big vertical (19ft) attached to my
trailer hitch and never had any feed back from them. As long as your not blocking traffic and never never park on the grass. (They hate that!). Many roads have parking spaces
you can use for your operation.
The park has a limited number of rangers so chances are good that
you won't encounter them, however, they have a a civilian group of volunteers
called "Park Watch", who are spread out over the battlefield and watch for and
report any suspicious activity to the rangers. You can monitor them on 171.625
(NAC 585).
As far as locations, both big and little round top are situated on elevated hills
and are good VHF/UHF locations, however, the parking is very limited at these
locations. Also note, the Big round top location is at the bottom of the hill in the
woods. If your going to back pack to the top, the trail is a serious hike unless
your a good hiker.
My preferred location has always been on West Confederate Ave which is
located on the west side of the park. The road is several miles long and there
are parking spaces near many major monuments where you can land. It's also
a elevated ridge line overlooking town and is a good QTH.
Note: Do not operated from the visitor's center at the south end of the park.
It's located in a low lying area and even though it has a large parking area, it
is usually very congested at various times. Also, the noise level there can be
obnoxious.
The park is open during daylight hours. After dark, they come looking for you!
Good luck and hope you enjoy the visit....
for 12191 QSO'S. This fall would be a great time to come. Most tourist
have gone home for the year.
Park rangers: There is a park ranger building but it is not open to the
public so making direct contact with them is difficult.
I've operated there many times with a big vertical (19ft) attached to my
trailer hitch and never had any feed back from them. As long as your not blocking traffic and never never park on the grass. (They hate that!). Many roads have parking spaces
you can use for your operation.
The park has a limited number of rangers so chances are good that
you won't encounter them, however, they have a a civilian group of volunteers
called "Park Watch", who are spread out over the battlefield and watch for and
report any suspicious activity to the rangers. You can monitor them on 171.625
(NAC 585).
As far as locations, both big and little round top are situated on elevated hills
and are good VHF/UHF locations, however, the parking is very limited at these
locations. Also note, the Big round top location is at the bottom of the hill in the
woods. If your going to back pack to the top, the trail is a serious hike unless
your a good hiker.
My preferred location has always been on West Confederate Ave which is
located on the west side of the park. The road is several miles long and there
are parking spaces near many major monuments where you can land. It's also
a elevated ridge line overlooking town and is a good QTH.
Note: Do not operated from the visitor's center at the south end of the park.
It's located in a low lying area and even though it has a large parking area, it
is usually very congested at various times. Also, the noise level there can be
obnoxious.
The park is open during daylight hours. After dark, they come looking for you!
Good luck and hope you enjoy the visit....
W3DMV
Member
Forgot to ask. What does your set-up look like?
Operate from Vehicle, tent etc?
You can’t set up a portable table etc, but there
is one picnic area with about a dozen picnic
tables that’s very nice.
Location: N39.788309 W77.254011
Operate from Vehicle, tent etc?
You can’t set up a portable table etc, but there
is one picnic area with about a dozen picnic
tables that’s very nice.
Location: N39.788309 W77.254011
