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2013 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest

08/24/2013 | W1AUV

 I thought that the activity level was better this year than last. No matter what, I had fun. The weather was nice where I was both days even though I know rain came in to the south for others. 

I was on Mt. Greylock on Saturday (FN32kp). I spent from 7:30 until just after lunch on the Eastern Overlook. I was joined on Saturday by Luke, KB1ISP, as an observer. While there we made all the contacts between 20 and 230 degrees. Managed Delaware/PA (FM29fu) with K2TXB and WA3GFZ/R. Not sure exactly where they were but Russ (with 15 watts) burned a hole in the ether for us. That was 370 km and was the best so far that morning.

After lunch Luke and I headed to the top of Greylock and found a spot in the crowded parking lot near the end where there is an opening to the north. Easily got all five guys on Mt. Mansfield (FN34om). Included was N1JEZ. Thanks to Mike for the beacon on Mansfield. I can finally line up accurately and the fact that the beacon is GPS stabilized is just icing on the cake. 

I heard VE3FN, Ray, and told him that because of trees I'd have to move. So Luke and I dragged everything as far to the end of the parking lot as we could. There were the tops of some trees slightly in the way but we gave it a try. In part because of the Mansfield beacon we found each other pretty quick. At 426 km this was the new weekend high-point.

Sunday morning on Hogback in Wilmington Vermont was great. Nice horizon from about 90 to about 230 degrees. When you have to aim at Mt. Washington or Mt Kearsarge just aim at the green metal roof of the gift shop. Lots of great contacts including Dan, WA2BTR in FN30af (Asbury Park, NJ) at 307km and K2TXB and WA3GPZ/R now at 405 km. Heard some rain scatter starting on Jim, K2KIB, in Highpoint State Park in NJ.

Sunday afternoon was Mt. Equinox. I started on the top of the mountain which is all done over with a new vistor's center. I set up on the north wall of the parking lot and quickly found VE2PIJ and VE2JWH. I then worked everyone to the north (again, thanks in part to the Manfield beacon). 

I drove down to the top of the saddle and worked everyone I couldn't work from the top. The highlight of the weekend was my last contact. I had heard K3CB, Owen, while I was on Greylock on Saturday but we weren't able to work. Late in the day on we tried it and managed to pull it off. At 555km it was my best DX of the weekend.  Thanks Owen!

Thanks to everyone for all the contacts and patience. I can't wait for the last weekend!

-- W1AUV


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