06/15/2005 | W6SBA W6SBA, the South Bay Amateur Radio Club, operated as a multi-unlimited station from DM04uj - the REAL Magic Mountain, roughly 16 miles east of the Southern California amusement park of the same name and nearly 4000 feet higher in elevation. The site offered good paths in all directions.

With the exception of 5760 MHz, the group was active on all bands from 50 MHz through 10 GHz. Conditions were exceptionally good on six meters through most of the contest period, with our logs showing grids in Florida and the Carolinas. It was quite a contrast to our efforts in the January VHF Sweepstakes.

High winds overnight and even a swarm of bees passing through did not hamper our efforts. Usually not one to ever be caught sleeping on the job, Murphy was kind to us. Equipment performed flawlessly, and the contacts just rolled in.

It is particularly pleasing to see the amount of activity in the microwave bands. The contacts that can be acheived over hundreds of miles with fairly modest equipment never ceases to amaze. We found ourselves with three new bands this year -- 902, 2304 and 3456 MHz -- and lots of activity in So Cal.

Our team members:

Rich, KG6JKJ,
Ray, WA6OWM,
Wayne, KH6WZ,
Gerry, KF6VCH,
oh, and myself,
Dennis, WA6NIA.

We, too, are already planning for the next outing ...

73, -- dennis -- WA6NIA