KD0MPW,my xyl and myself,WB7TNE, were marine mobile in a canoe at Bear Creek Lake Park,near Morrison,Colorado. In true Field Day fashion, I was out in the back yard at 0730 utc,using a drop light, putting together a homebrew inverted V  mini-tower to mount to a 15'9" scanoe,across the fore and aft bracers,with automotive hose clamps. . I mounted an old 18 inch pizza pan to the apex of the v with self tapping machine screws. I placed an ATAS-100 screwdriver antenna on top of that as it is mounted to an aluminum base which has 3 5 inch magnets. I wrapped random length 14 and 12 gauge wire around the legs and attached those to the pizza pan for better current. distribution. Two of the four wires were connected to the gunnels(aluminum) of the canoe. The FT-100 was mounted to a crossbar tray made of pvc, same material as the V mini tower, via a mobile mount made for an FT-100. I added a marine deep cycle battery for power. I put 2 30 pound thrust electric troll motors at the stearn on the transom block. Another deep cycle battery was put in for the motors. As we assembled the station/canoe at Bear Creek, a passer-by commented " that looks like a CIA boat!". I replied " you must have worked for them!". Much laughter ensued! I checked the balsnce of the canoe by towing it from the ramp to the dock at is was well balanced. So the xyl and I paddled out into the lake,and I turned on the rig, to find 59/20 over + signals, more than could be counte. 40-10 meters and beacons on 6 meters were heard quite strongly. We listened for awhile and then jumped into the fray. Made quite a few contacts. JA's were heard and acouple of EB2 stations were calling. I tried a contact on 14.300 for the Maritime Mobile Net, and heard Steve,AA7V,in Phoenix, who replied that the net seemed closed, due to Field Day. He asked my QTH and I replied, Morrison,Colorado, marine mobile in a canoe. He laughed as he replied,that in 30 years he had not to anyone in a canoe (via Ham Radio)!

The screwdriver antenna broke at the lead screw under the coil, so I guess Murphy invited himself along.LHi HI! We made a few more contacts and beached the canoe for a picnic under an umbrella. The xyl experimented with the umbrella and held it close to the whip on the antenna,noting how much better the signals were in strength. We set  one troll motor on low and used the paddles as rudders, gliding all over the lake as we made more contacts. We finally called it a day and felt assured that this is the best of Field Day. We usually go mobile to 14,178 feet west of Denver for Field Day, and can engage in some great pile ups on 15 and 6 meters. LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR!

73,

Daryle and Kris Brooks

WB7TNE/KD0MPW