09/20/2002 | K7MDL/R Was rover again hitting 10 grids this time out with 3 the same three bands as the June contest - 6, 2 and 432. The objective was to beat the June score and test out an improved mast with stacked loops this time out. Given the reasonably good operating spots I could get to on the 800+ mile trip, the hassle of pointing a too long 21 element UHF beam proved not worth it. I am leaving the beams at home next time out except for possibly on 1296 when my transverter arrives. I have a big wheel stack ready for 1296 to try first though.

Started out in hot 90+ sunny weather in 4 grids on the east side of Washington State and was greeted by what I thought was better than normal activity. VA7ISL in CN88 on Vancouver Island (on the west side of the Cascade mountains) was booming in on the east side. Sunday I hit the west side covering 6 grids. I did not think I was going to beat my June score but my CN98 Green mountain spot pulled through in addition to the last minute stations that got on.

Was an easy shot hitting the Oregon Coast down in CN84 all the way down to CN82, CN83 and CN72, even DN12. KD6OSV, K7MI, and W7MQY had some awsome signals from down south. Over on the east side N7AU, W7MEM, and W7MSM were reaching the west side from most any decent location I roved too.

I did not decide on my route until the engine was running in the driveway Saturday morning, but I knew what not to do based on the strategy mistakes of the last contest! -- K7MDL