01/25/2008 | KB0HH The contest was great fun here in Northwest Oklahoma!! Cold, but fun!! We had many new operators for a change and little for them to do! The bands were somewhat subdued, heavy on the somewhat! 6 meters opened for a few minuets at the beginning of the contest to central Florida but all of that went away soon. The remainder of the contest was with local stations. A new operator of 14 years of age made our first contact on 432 MHz to a station 500 miles away in Colorado! Way to go TJ .. .. and .. thanks W0EEA!!! Many thanks to the rovers who braved the cold and wind. You guys are appreciated!!

We had a few electrical and mechanical failures. We lost 222 MHz Sunday afternoon due to a feed line problem at the top of the tower, the 1296 MHz amp let its smoke out early Saturday evening (they wont work without smoke), the 6 meter tower twisted off its drive shaft, the internet quit Saturday evening .. .. and more .. .. we have work to do!

On the other hand .. .. the cook kept us happy with some fine cowboy cooking! Friday evenings early arrivals were treated to a beefsteak stew cooked on the ground in a Dutch oven .. .. over buffalo chips .. Where did he find those things anyway?? Sunday morning breakfast brought us cathead biscuits with ranch style sausage gravy. We had suppers of slow cooked beef ribs and loin. Monday morning detainees had a 3 egg cowboy grand slam omelet with taters on the side!! Whew! I love this place! Someone brought a bit of "Oklahoma Welfare Whiskey" to add to the ruckuss!!

We are looking forward to the next contest!! There are 4 X 19 ele 222 MHz antennas on the ground to be installed, an 8 bay EME antenna for 144 MHz to be installed, a microwave tower to finish, and of course .. .. the repairs to be made for the rest of the system. May the temperature warm and the wind subside!!

73 .. .. Mr. Gerb -- KB0HH