Friday, July 11, 2025

South Dakota activations - two done; two to go

We've been in the Black Hills region of South Dakota for a few days now with about a week left before we head north.

The area is amazingly beautiful.

I finally got around to two very brief activations today, both CW-only with the FT-891 and magnet-mount 17' vertical on top of the car.

The first was the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site near Wall SD; the second was Badlands National Park.

I wish I had longer at each park but there is so much to see an do...

Before leaving, I plan to activate Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park.

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Posted by John AE5X at

6 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM

    You had a nice signal into Wisconsin today.

    Custer and Wind Cave are some of my favorite places on the planet.

    Jim KF9VV

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    1. John AE5XJuly 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM

      Thanks for the call, Jim - good to work you! Custer SP is an absolute gem and national park-worthy, IMO. We finally bought a Class C and are on the road in it - our campsite is only 3 miles outside Custer and we've been doing a lot of hiking/photography there.

      Hoping to work you again while we're nomad'ing around! 73,

      John

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  2. AnonymousJuly 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM

    Sure heard the pileup working you in the badlands. But you were too close for me to work you from Brookings, SD. The few that do cw in South Dakota are rockstars. Seems like a lot of people need this one. Cheers OM! I was the only one in our club doing cw during field day until the storms shut us down. 73’s De n5vwn

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    1. John AE5XJuly 13, 2025 at 7:58 PM

      Yep, you're about 375 miles away - sometimes that works on 20m, sometimes not. I do have a 40m coil with me for the 17-ft whip but haven't used it yet. I'll probably be on tonight from Black Hills NF where we are camped and will give it a shot. Have fun and safe travels...73,

      John

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  3. AnonymousJuly 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM

    Hi John, Thank you for the QSO. You had quite a following today. What beautiful country you are in there. Enjoy it all and stay safe mate. 73, Bill-AK5X

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    1. John AE5XJuly 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM

      Thanks for the call today, Bill. I was at the highest QTH in the park - the view was amazing in every direction. THE POTA location for Custer SP is the Mount Coolidge Lookout and Fire Tower:
      https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/nearby-activities/mount-coolidge-lookout-tower

      Thanks again and I'll listen for you from upcoming parks. 73,
      John

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