Updated 10/18/2028 (with more updates to come)
An event that has grown into something more than planned
Fall camping is my favorite. The leaves are in color, the bugs are gone…. along with the crowds. Plus with the cooler temperatures and longer nights, campfires are far more enjoyable. So when Michael KB9VBR announced his plans and open invitation to all hams to join him for the first Wisconsin Ham Radio Campout, I jumped at the chance to attend.
The event surpassed my expectations. The State Park was great, the weather was decent, and a hardy bunch of camping hams were a great group to meet. Some near instant friendships were made with the group that showed up for a ham radio themed campout.
Clearly I wasn’t the only one who thought the campout was a wild success, since it’s turned into an annual event that grows in attendance each year. In 2023 there was maybe 20 of us at the campout. This year there was close to 80 of us.
This campout event has become more than just a ham radio themed camping trip. With each year’s event it feels more like a reunion. Genuine friendships have been made. We catch up with each other, see what’s new with our camping gear, what’s new with our portable radio gear, and how life in general has been.
This years venue Lake Wissota State Park
Wisconsin's Lake Wissota State Park is located, as the name implies, on the shores of Lake Wissota. The lake is a flowage created by a hydroelectric dam built on the Chippewa River that was built over 100 years ago.
The park has two campsite loops with a large modern shower house between the loops. Many of the sites have electric hookup and are spaced decently with plenty of trees and undergrowth between them for privacy. There are some nice hiking trails throughout the park that offer some nice views of the lake.
The picnic area near the entrance of the park has a nice display at a scenic overlook of the lake. The display gives a great historical recap of the eara.
Camping with hams
