Veterans Day 2024 dawned grey and overcast in northwest Pennsylvania, so I made a decision to spend a while engaged on the subsequent area report from our 6-week journey by the states of the American West. It occurred to me that spending a few of my vacation to report on a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation of the Minuteman Missile Nationwide Historic Website (US-0850) is perhaps notably applicable.
Writing about an historic web site that commemorates deactivated infrastructure from an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) set up evokes a complete vary of feelings. It’s proper that the prospect of nuclear annihilation ought to accomplish that. However there may be one other viewpoint that’s arguably extra necessary.
For many years, unsung American warriors crewed these amenities to discourage conflict based mostly on the prospect of swift and sure retaliation. Regardless of the horror of the considered thermonuclear conflict, their dedication and competence performed an important position in protecting the a long time lengthy Chilly Struggle chilly.
Minuteman Missile NHS incorporates three distinct websites positioned alongside a 15 mile stretch of Interstate 90 in South Dakota. There’s a Customer Middle, with artifacts and interpretive info to assist guests perceive the importance of the weapons, the personnel, and the mission.
The Delta-01 web site accommodates a preserved Launch Management Facility. Entry to Delta-01 is proscribed to ranger-led excursions, and sadly for us, these excursions have been booked nicely past our deliberate keep within the space. Make your plans early!
The Delta-09 web site accommodates a deactivated Minuteman II Missile Silo. It’s accessible for self-led excursions, however we actually loved talking with the docent who was current throughout our go to. He had been a member of the safety staff when the complicated was energetic. Delta-09 was usually unmanned, aside from upkeep, however our docent had as soon as sheltered there, as a twister ripped by the realm. The storm destroyed his patrol automobile!
You possibly can peer into the silo to see an inactive Minuteman II missile by the partially open blast door.
We stopped on the web site Customer Middle as we drove down Interstate 90, and arrived mid-afternoon. We knew that the Delta-09 web site can be closing quickly, however we have been planning to be within the space for a few days. So, I checked with the pleasant of us within the customer heart to ensure that my beginner radio operation wouldn’t create an issue (it was welcomed). Then, as Becky toured the Customer Middle, I deployed my Tufteln 35 foot EFRW antenna behind the truck within the car parking zone. A 21 foot collapsible fishing pole related to the bumper made this easy. Then, Molly and I sat within the truck and made 23 QRP CW contacts in 40 minutes.
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I attempt to make contact with the employees at smaller websites the place I plan to activate. The employees at Minuteman Missile NHS was very accommodating, and welcomed the activation. A name forward could get you recommendation on the perfect places in your station, and if you happen to name early sufficient, you must be capable of reserve an area for the Delta-01 tour.
I used to be more than happy with this activation. The solar behaved itself nicely throughout the entirety of our journey, so propagation was good, and contacts got here shortly. The positioning does a terrific job of deciphering this necessary, if emotionally fraught, facet of our army historical past. When you plan a visit by the realm, I encourage you to go to. If we move this manner once more, we will definitely make superior reservations to go to the Delta-01 Launch Management Facility.
Finest 73 de Brian – K3ES
