02October25 update:
This Saturday (Oct 4), the Frederick Amateur Radio Club is providing radio support for the Half Hike Across Maryland, where ~80 hikers traverse the Appalachian Trail (aka AT) from PenMar Park to Washington Monument State Park. If you are interested in amateur radio, you’re welcome to visit one of the checkpoints to see how it works. We use the free What3Words (aka W3W) app to provide exact locations, particularly along the AT where street addresses don’t exist.
Checkpoints include:
? 7:45-8:15 PenMar Park from: At the overlook platform. W3W: ///rides.cupcake.thankfully
? 8:30-9:30 High Rock: Short trail from parking area- the trail is not shown on some maps. Virtually a continuation of the entrance road if you were to drive straight. Light blue markings. Trail from parking begins at approximately: ///cooled.instructors.presenters.
? 9:00-10:30 Raven Rock Road: At guard rail just west of Richie Road – often cars parked along the road as indicators. Checkpoint is on the north (right if facing down hill) side of the road. W3W: ///competitive.sender.chill
? 10:00-12:30 Ensign Cowall Shelter: Couple hundred yards north on trail from parking area. Parking is at W3W: ///lavished.waterproof.desired with checkpoint about a half mile up the trail at: ///tile.sirens.delusions
? 11:00-14:00 Pogo Campsite: Hike in from Thurston Griggs Trail about a mile. Parking at ///masses.songwriter.readjust. Campsite at ///migrate.showbiz.easels
? 12:00-15:00 Boonsboro Mtn Rd: Located at northern-most trail crossing of this road, just south of I70 bridge. Park along the side of the road- no official parking area. Be a good neighbor. W3W location: ///bolsters.assortment.kickbacks
? 13:00-17:00 Washington Monument State Park: **NOTE: This Park has $2 per vehicle entrance fee for MD tags, $4 for out of state tags. ** The actual checkpoint is generally W3W: ///heavyweight.samplers.destined
You can listen on the W3CWC Clear Spring repeater at 146.94MHz
Original post:
On Saturday October 4th, the Frederick Amateur Radio Club will provide radio support for the Mountain Club of Maryland’s Half-Hike Across Maryland (Register or Volunteer for the 2025 Half Ham on October 4, 2025 – Mountain Club of Maryland). This biennial event will begin at PenMar Park near Cascade and follows the Appalachian Trail southward to Washington Monument State Park near Boonsboro. While not as intense as the partner full HAM event (from PenMar to Harpers Ferry held on even-numbered years), this is a great opportunity to practice portable radio operations in what can be adverse conditions. Fortunately, many checkpoint locations are HT-friendly.
This is a great opportunity to dip your toes into the amateur radio public service arena. If this is new to you, we’re happy to pair you up with a more experienced operator. If you’d like to volunteer or have any questions, please send me a note at my call sign @arrl.net
Thanks and 73!
Mike K3MMM
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