07/05/2005 | K5KDX Our little group decided to contest from a location we felt would be somewhat unique in more ways than one. We found the US Forestry Service to be very friendly to deal with in getting permission to contest from one of their old lookout towers. Hardest thing was getting things up to the top and back down. 8-10 times up and down those flights of stairs each day wasn't easy.
Spent Friday night in the tower. We avoided the black bears that way. Was very windy all night and COOL. That is very unusual for Arkansas in June. Made contacts on 6m, 2m, & 430. Brought the 220 mobile but had no luck on it(unfortunately)
The tower is 60' tall on top of Rich Mountain, AR (EM24). Mountain elevation is 2681' above sea level. We were probably operating at the highest location in the State of Arkansas. Mt. Magazine (el. 2753') is the state's tallest peak but has a monument area at the peak and camping would be difficult (if even allowed). There are designated camping areas about 150' short of the peak.
It was also the weekend that the U.S. Forestry Service celebrated their 100th anniversary. The local forestry folks from Mena, AR had tours and snacks for guests who wanted to see the tower. We also talked up Ham radio to those same folks and hopefully "sparked" (no pun intended) an interest in Amateur Radio. Smokey Bear made a cameo appearance as his "fur" kept him quite hot during the day. We did see a Black Bear on Saturday a.m. but he was more interested in raiding the roadside trash cans than actually paying us a visit.
Equipment used. 6m IC-756 w/ cushcraft 5 element yagi. 2m & 430 MHz IC-821 into 11 element yagi and stacked 22 ele yagi on 430. 220MHz was an Alinco DR 235 into a 4 ele 220 yagi.
This was a lot of work to get set up and to take down, but was a lot of fun. Many thanks to all who came out to contest, help out, and just enjoy the beauty of this area. -- K5KDX