12/17/2003 | KB4KBS On Saturday I hooked up the TS-120S to a mag-mounted Hustler with a 10M resonator and a tuner, then sat in my van with an extension cord running to an exterior AC outlet at the Fire Station. It was cold and windy in the AM, cold and wet in the PM. Fortunately we only had one call and a lunch run to interrupt my operating time. Saturday's total was 73 contacts and 35 multipliers in 6 hours. Most painful miss: KH7U - HI (tried for 20+ minutes) Best Consolation Prize: NA5S - NM (only 15 minutes for him). Most Thrilling Multiplier: tie: ID, BC, and SK. First station worked: NQ4I.

On Sunday Afternoon, I realized that the contest was for 48 hours, not 24, so I got out there again after church and made 45 more contacts and added 9 more multipliers in 3 more hours. I operated from 2 different locations, home and the parking lot of church.
I plugged in to 120VAC, so I guess I really don't qualify as a mobile station. I got BC, OR and ND on Sunday. I heard MB, but
missed him.

All in all it was a good event for me considering my provisional station and busy schedule. It also made me realize how much I enjoy the challenge of contesting. I just wish I had a better setup.

Thanks to the guys at SECC for tolerating my hanging around
the message board like a wide-eyed newbie. I have learned a lot from reading about your exploits and your tales of woe.

Scott
KB4KBS -- KB4KBS