Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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Shared by John Fury, as Guest Blogger.

Just a little background history on how I got started.

John Fury and his copilot

John and his co-pilot

When I was a kid, I can remember my grandparents having a CB (Citizen Band) radio in their van and using it to talk with truckers during our family trips. When I started driving, I wanted one so that I could talk to my friends. One day my teacher, Mr. Crawford (call-sign WV4L), asked me about the extra antenna on my truck. I told him it was for a CB radio, and he asked me if I had any interest in amateur radio.

At the time, I had no idea what it was. He explained that I would be able to talk to folks around the world! I became intrigued.  Mr. Crawford gave me a book to study. I took the Technicians Class test, the first level of licensing, passed and was issued my call sign, KJ4PGD.

After about a year, I went back and acquired my General Class license. This gave me access to more amateur frequencies that allowed me to talk to places that were even farther away. I made contacts with stations all over North America, Europe and other continents. Shortly after that, I went back to acquire the final level of licensing which is the Extra Class license. This Class gives me access to all of the frequencies that the Federal Communication Commission allots to amateur radio operations.

Ham Radio in John's Truck

Amateur Radio on the move

Why?

Many people ask me "what is the point in amateur radio?" "Why do you have those antennas on your truck?" It’s no different than any other hobby. Some folks enjoy photography, some people enjoy exercising, I enjoy talking with folks from around the world over the airwaves. I have many hobbies; such as mountain biking, camping, off-roading and more. Amateur radio is a hobby that I can use in addition to those hobbies to make them even more fun.

Having belonged to the Covington Amateur Radio Club and the Westmoreland Amateur Radio Club, I have made many friends over the years, some of which have practically become family. The clubs are where I learned that friendship and comradery is just as important as the skills that we develop.

For my job as a park ranger, I have used many of the skills that I have learned from amateur radio in my day-to-day job:

  • I use the technical skills to install and repair park radios. I developed a paging system to alert park staff of pertinent information.
  • I have also developed interpretive programs that showcase amateur radio. At Douthat State Park, I did a program called "Ham it up." Where we talked about amateur radio and its many uses outdoors. When I went to Westmoreland State Park as a Chief Ranger, I took that program with me and with the help of the Westmoreland Amateur Radio Club, we enhanced it and added new programs. Such as alternative energy day, we talked about and demonstrated the many different types of energy production methods.
  •  I developed an APRS (Automatic Packet Report System) Workshop. When I put on the event, the local amateur radio operators had a blast using their amateur radios to send text messages, emails and learn how to track their position when traveling on foot or vehicle.

While it’s interesting and fun, the real purpose behind amateur radio is to have an emergency means of communication. Many federal and state agencies have amateur radio operators either working for them or with them to have a secondary means of communications.

John's rig

The Rig!

Parks on the Air:

In 2016, when the National Park Service (NPS) was celebrating their centennial anniversary, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) teamed up with the NPS to help promote their parks. There was a contest for amateur radio operators. During this contest, you would have "activators" and "chasers." Your "activators" would go to the parks and set up their radios in a portable manner and callout for contacts. Then the "Chasers" would track them down on the airwaves and talk to them. Generally, it would be a short exchange of information but often it would be conversations about the park and what made it special. 

The National Parks on the Air event ended in 2017, this left many amateur radio operators wanting more, so a group of operators created another contest called Parks on the Air. This contest is focused on portable amateur radio operations that promote emergency awareness and communications from national and state level parks. In addition to the National Parks, this event added state parks, state wildlife preserves and state forests. It is a contest, but the real prize from this event is the knowledge and skills that you gain from the experience.

When we started social distancing we used our park radios in a "Net" manner to host staff meetings at James River State Park. One person gets on the radio as a net control operator and then everyone checks in and monitors the radio, while information is being distributed. After the net control delivers the key information, everyone gets a chance to check in and ask questions or share information. This is very different from normal operations and we generally limit the amount of time spent on the radio. We found this to be a very useful way to deliver information during the unprecedented times.

In 2019, the average age of Amateur Radio Operators is over 80 years old (that is a Wiki report, take it for what it's worth). High-risk amateur radio operators are staying home to ensure their safety with social distancing. In an effort to keep connected during these social distant times, many operators get on the air daily to check in with one another and keep them company.

One thing I have learned, there aren't many Hams going out to the parks to put them on the air. What I have been doing is visiting different parks and Wildlife Management Areas to activate them, giving the operators that are socially distancing the chance to continue their chase and a friendly conversation to keep them company. I do this all while following the social distancing guidelines.

What I am doing isn't much. Honestly, I'm getting the better end of the deal because I get to see the parks first hand and enjoy their beauty. I really hope that I help make someone's day by being that friendly voice over the air waves that keeps them company during these unprecedented times.

For more information on becoming a Amateur Radio Operator, please click here. For more information on James River State Park, please click here.

 

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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