01/26/2006 | N2TEB While I have casually listened in on some VHF+ contests in the past, I never put much effort into it like I did this year. My current QTH and others in the past have been poor locations for VHF+ contests due to low elevation in hilly terrain and/or restricted living conditions.

Last year I decided to gather some equipment and accessories needed to set up a portable contest station out in the field and I had most of it ready for this contest. I was able to fit everything I needed into my car, and ran the whole station off a deep cycle marine battery. I operated on 144, 432, and 1296, and hope to have more bands next time. I participated on Saturday for a few hours in the afternoon, and most of the daylight hours on Sunday. I took away a lot of 'lessons learned' and am looking forward to future VHF+ contests.

Moving everything around in the SUV was much easier on Saturday than it was on Sunday with my Acura, but I still managed to fit everything in!

73, Dave -- N2TEB