There are ham radio events, camping trips, and weekends where you combine radios, mountain views, home-cooked meals, good friends, and just enough harmless mischief to keep everyone wondering what might happen next.

Our recent joint campout with the New England Fusion Group and the Granite State Amateur Radio Association checked all those boxes.

Camp Shiloh in Jefferson, New Hampshire, provided the perfect setting for learning, fellowship, and plenty of time on the air. Located approximately 1,400 feet above sea level and only a few miles from Mount Washington, the camp offered sweeping panoramic views of Mount Washington, Mount Madison, Mount Eisenhower, Mount Adams, and the surrounding White Mountains.

Honestly, it was difficult to ask for a better backdrop for playing radio.

The Radio Fun Started Before We Even Arrived

One of the highlights of the event happened before anyone had unpacked a radio, stretched out a piece of coax, or asked the inevitable question, “Does anybody have an adapter for this?”

Many of us traveled north during the early afternoon and stayed in contact using our mobile radios along the way. This turned what could have been a long, quiet drive into a rolling ham radio convoy.

The Epsom/Fort Mountain repeater once again proved just how impressive its coverage can be. Even around mile marker 110—well beyond the point where Interstate 93 and Route 3 separate—we were still chatting as we drove past the Old Man of the Mountain historic site.

The repeater’s range never ceases to amaze stated Ralph KC1TLY.

Shortly afterward, the group collectively switched over to the Mount Washington repeater on 448.225 MHz and continued talking as we made our way toward Camp Shiloh.

That meant we were able to play the radio while traveling to the campout, throughout the event, and again on the trip home. Even the long drive north became part of the fun.

A Base Camp Built for Ham Radio

Camp Shiloh offered an extensive, private base camp with ample space for radio operations.

Acres of open fields gave everyone space to set up radio tents, antennas, portable stations, trailers, and campers without being crowded on top of one another. The large property also provided ample separation between stations, which is always helpful when multiple operators are trying to get on the air at the same time.

There were shaded picnic tables around the wooded campfire area, a large first-floor porch that quickly became a favorite spot for socializing, and a second-floor balcony near the sleeping accommodations.

The camp also included a comfortable informal meeting room equipped with modern audio and video equipment. This provided a great location for casual seminars and conversations covering many different areas of the amateur radio hobby.

And yes, air conditioning was available in select facilities—which may not sound like a major ham radio feature until you have spent a warm afternoon outside setting up antennas.

Radios, Seminars, and Shared Knowledge

Fourteen amateur radio operators attended the event, bringing with them different experiences, equipment, interests, and stories from across the hobby.

Throughout the campout, informal seminars and discussions covered a wide variety of amateur radio topics. The relaxed format made it easy for people to ask questions, exchange ideas, demonstrate equipment, and learn from one another without feeling like they were sitting through a formal classroom presentation.

That is one of the best parts of a club campout. Someone is always working on something interesting, someone else has probably tried it before, and there is usually another person nearby who has exactly the adapter, cable, tool, or opinion needed to keep the conversation going.

Sometimes all four.

Comfortable Accommodations—and Really Good Food

Attendees arrived around 4:00 p.m. Friday and remained through approximately noon on Saturday.

Camp Shiloh provided comfortable overnight accommodations, including separate sleeping arrangements for the ladies. Facilities were also available for members who wanted to bring trailers or campers.

One of the most appreciated parts of the visit was the food. A dedicated chef prepared home-cooked meals, giving everyone the chance to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner without having to survive exclusively on snacks, campfire food, or whatever happened to be hiding in the bottom of a go-box.

Good meals, good coffee, and amateur radio tend to make a pretty successful combination.

More Than Just Radios

Although amateur radio brought everyone together, the campout was really about fellowship.

There was plenty of time to sit on the porch, gather around the picnic tables, trade stories, talk about equipment, and enjoy the mountain surroundings. There was also no shortage of camaraderie, good-natured pranks, and joking around.

Naturally, we will not be providing a complete written record of every prank.

Some things are better left at the campsite.

The relaxed environment gave members from both organizations an opportunity to get to know one another beyond callsigns heard over a repeater or names seen during a club meeting. Those personal connections are what help make amateur radio clubs stronger and events like this worthwhile.

Clubs Working Together

This joint event demonstrated the value of amateur radio clubs working together.

By combining resources, knowledge, experience, and personalities, the New England Fusion Group and GSARA created a fun and welcoming event that included operations, education, fellowship, and plenty of laughs.

Camp Shiloh provided the perfect setting for learning, fellowship, and time on the air. A special thank-you goes to everyone who attended, presented, helped with the setup, contributed to the conversations, and made the event a success.

We look forward to more opportunities for NEFG and GSARA to work together.

After all, any event that includes radios, White Mountain views, home-cooked food, mobile repeater conversations, and a few well-timed pranks is probably worth doing again.

Special thanks to Ralph, KC1TLY, and Rick Driscoll, K1RPD, for their contributions to the event and for providing information and material used in this article.