01/23/2008 | K1DS/R Despite the poor conditions, cold and football games, I kept busy in 5 grids with the rover. At least there was no precipitation this year. With all 12 bands (ABCD9EFGHIJP) working, and a route well established, I submitted my best VHF rover score of about 140K. Only one brief police inquiry as I stopped for gas, and the handout always helps. Visitors are a lot friendlier now that I have the ARRL magnetic signs RADIO COMMUNICATIONS on each side of the van. Noise levels were extremely high Sunday afternoon. Murphy made a minor showing, pulling the cable out of the N connector that brought the 432 RF down from the dish-mounted 24GHz transverter, but luckily this was after completing a few QSO's on that band. I had a spare cable, but no need, as there were no more stations with bands through 24G besides W3SZ within my range. Next time I won't forget an additional jiffy connector to secure that cable. Nice runs thru 10GHz with N3NGE, K3TUF and K1TEO from several grids and with WA3DRC and WA3NUF in FN20. Pack Rats were out in force as usual, although some of the usual suspects were MIA. Glad to work most of the NE grids with stops on Mt. Mitchell in FN20 and FN30.
I've got to find a better spot and time to work more of the stations in grids south of me, as I know there's plenty to QSO in that direction. 73, Rick -- K1DS