It was nice to be on both weekends of the 10 GHz and Up contest after I had to miss the second weekend of 2018.

The first weekend I was on Mt Greylock on Saturday and my spot in FN32hi (Stockbridge MA). I made a lot of solid contacts but nothing I'd call long diistance. I did manage to get K1OR and K1CA in FN32fu at 320 km. I always stop at FN32hi on my way home. It has a narrow window but I can usually get Block Island and Martha's Vineyard from there.

On the Sunday of the first weekend I went to Hogback in FN32ou. There I managed more solid contacts and also worked K1OR and K1CA in FN54if. At 321 km. it was a good contact but was made more interesting as I had to shoot right along the edge of route 9. I made the contact just before a car pulled in next to me right in front of the antenna. 

I was at Hogback with Pete K2AEP and Dave KA1UAG. They were in the upper parking lot and I was down by the road. Before I left I went up to say hello and to have a look at Dave's very impressive high power 10 GHz rig. He uses a TWT and this was the first time I've seen one stuffed into a suitcase. I think he should write an article on its construction. Very cool.

I then drove a big loop home and stopped at the scenic overlook parking lot on Rt 91 south: FN32qg. I nearly died from heat sroke in the parking lot. I waited a long time to make just 6 contacts and I was never so happy to leave a place in my life. Hot!

The second weekend I had intended to travel to the Cape but at the last minute changed my mind. Instead, on Saturday, I went to the Catskills: FN22wi. Since they cut/trimmed the trees, this site has become good again. I managed some nice contacts but my best was VE3FN for 432 km. It was a beautiful day though hot in the parking lot. 

On Sunday I decided I would go back to Greylock to work the people who had changed islands. I would then try the western side of the mountain which I had not done the first weekend. On my way to Greylock I heard that Dave, K2DH and Russ, K2DH were already on the eastern overlook of Greylock. It's always fun to meet fellow hams during the contest. While there I made more contacts than I thought I would. I also got a chance to chat with Dave and Rus and take in the nice rigs they both have.

I left the eastern overlook around lunch and went to the western side. I decided to try a different spot than usual: this one is on the way back down (not on the north access road) and it is a two car (max) pull-off on the side of the road. Though lower in elevation than the other spots above that look west, I managed to make some good contacts. I worked VE3FN, VE3JGL and VA3CDD at 384 km. This spot (see picture) has a good shot from 290 degree to 359 (I also worked W1AIM on Equinox at 7 degrees through leaves but, easy at 56 km).

I want to add that, my friend and contesting buddy, Alan, passed away just after the contest. He hasn't been able to go out with me since 2017. His Parkinson's had gotten much worse and it finally took his life on August 29th. He was a gifted professional musician, a teacher, a husband, a father and grandfather and, he was a ham. It just isn't the same going out on the contest without him. A lot of things just aren't the same. 

I am hoping next year that I am brave enough to venture farther from home. I'm also hoping to make some rig improvements during the winter. Thanks to everyone and 73!  --Tommy