2004 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
05/08/2004 |
AJ4W/ROVER
Hello to all at ARRL: Just a few lines to let you know about our rover operation.
The team consisted of Joe (AJ4W) Tom (N5ROC) and Dana KD4ESC.
Tom's father loaned us his Alegro motor home for our rover operation.
We all met at Dana's house in Cullman to install our antennas and
equipment. As we started out from EM64 headed south it was decided to go
to Red Mountain in EM63 and set up as close to the new Vulcan. Most all
TV stations are located here and the RF is very heavy as you would think. We
were able to make several contacts and get some pictures(see attachment)while
setting next to NBC 13 van in visitors parking lot.
Next we headed south toward EM62 down 280 . By this time it had started to rain
and 280 is very congested but Tom drove us through with Dana (which new the territory)
guided us on the right path. Joe was on 2 meters and 70 CM calling CQ. The dual band
beam 2&70 was pointing to the rear while we were going south-southeast. The only real
band opening of any kind happened while moving down 280.AG5V came booming in from
EM 55 on 2 totally unexpected but giving hope that we just might hit it right for a good
band opening on this rover operation. With new vigor and after stopping to eat a bit we
headed on down 280 still looking for the bands to open up. As we checked our GPS
locator to see if we had made it to EM62 so we could give out some more contacts in
a different Grid ( and get some more ourselves) we called CQ contest AJ4W/ROVER.
Well by this time the word had gotten around and stations we just waiting for us.Jimmy
Long W4ZRZ led the way on all bands. But Jimmy was not too impressed with our
signals . We took his advise and moved on down the road to the next hill top which
made a whole lot of difference. From here we got to work WB4VHF N4GRU KE4TFI
N4DMR N4DXY and many others. It may seem funny but when you are off like that
it sure is good to here folks from the grid you came from. I can just imagine how it
must feel to be on an rare island somewhere and herein the group back home, Wow.
After bedding down for the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot we were very comfortable
at first. As the night went on and temps started to drop I knew why Tom wanted us to
bring along our own sleeping bags. Good Idea Tom, otherwise I would have frozen hi hi.
Getting some breakfast the next morning seamed to rejuvenate all of us as we set our
on the highest spot in the state of Alabama. But wait, we have another grid here EM72.
CQ CQ CQ AJ4W Rover, hello anyone. Nope not anyone, not even Jimmy W4ZRZ.
We were either in the land of no RF or everyone was gone to church or sleeping late.
In any case no contacts from EM72 . But we all knew things were going to change soon
cause we were headed to Mt.Cheaha. If you have not ever been there, then make plans
to go, just make sure it is better weather than it was when we arrived. When we got to
the top , the wind was rocking the motor home. It was not just a gust or two but strong
blast of wind. Again we encountered strong RF from the APT transmitters so we went
up in the observatory to look out over the country side. Trouble was and this is no joke
the APT tower which was less than 75 ft. away was nearly unseeable looking out of the
windows. Tom did bring his trusted camera and got our picture though(also in attachment).
After leaving the peak and coming down the slopes we were able to make several
good contacts on all bands from the scenic view pulloffs. That was about it from EM73.
Next we headed north to EM74 with no way of knowing what layed ahead or where
exactly we were going. Thank goodness for GPS locators we knew when we had made
it to the new grid. No mountain top, but no obstructions either. We set up and started to
operate and were told by several what good signal we had all around.
As we got back on the road , heading for our home Grid , I heard W4LIA asking if we
were back in EM64 yet. Again a quick check of the GPS and sure enough we had just
crossed back over so got to work Rick from EM64 on his three bands. Also N4DXY,W4EVH
W4WDH, W3NH, AA4R, AF4OD, AA4R, KM4MP and several others.
A good time was had by all of us and I would not be surprised if at some point we tried
it again. If so I know we will let more people know what we are going to do.
73 FROM THE AJ4W/ ROVER GROUP DANA KD4ESC, JOE AJ4W & TOM N5ROC. -- AJ4W
The team consisted of Joe (AJ4W) Tom (N5ROC) and Dana KD4ESC.
Tom's father loaned us his Alegro motor home for our rover operation.
We all met at Dana's house in Cullman to install our antennas and
equipment. As we started out from EM64 headed south it was decided to go
to Red Mountain in EM63 and set up as close to the new Vulcan. Most all
TV stations are located here and the RF is very heavy as you would think. We
were able to make several contacts and get some pictures(see attachment)while
setting next to NBC 13 van in visitors parking lot.
Next we headed south toward EM62 down 280 . By this time it had started to rain
and 280 is very congested but Tom drove us through with Dana (which new the territory)
guided us on the right path. Joe was on 2 meters and 70 CM calling CQ. The dual band
beam 2&70 was pointing to the rear while we were going south-southeast. The only real
band opening of any kind happened while moving down 280.AG5V came booming in from
EM 55 on 2 totally unexpected but giving hope that we just might hit it right for a good
band opening on this rover operation. With new vigor and after stopping to eat a bit we
headed on down 280 still looking for the bands to open up. As we checked our GPS
locator to see if we had made it to EM62 so we could give out some more contacts in
a different Grid ( and get some more ourselves) we called CQ contest AJ4W/ROVER.
Well by this time the word had gotten around and stations we just waiting for us.Jimmy
Long W4ZRZ led the way on all bands. But Jimmy was not too impressed with our
signals . We took his advise and moved on down the road to the next hill top which
made a whole lot of difference. From here we got to work WB4VHF N4GRU KE4TFI
N4DMR N4DXY and many others. It may seem funny but when you are off like that
it sure is good to here folks from the grid you came from. I can just imagine how it
must feel to be on an rare island somewhere and herein the group back home, Wow.
After bedding down for the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot we were very comfortable
at first. As the night went on and temps started to drop I knew why Tom wanted us to
bring along our own sleeping bags. Good Idea Tom, otherwise I would have frozen hi hi.
Getting some breakfast the next morning seamed to rejuvenate all of us as we set our
on the highest spot in the state of Alabama. But wait, we have another grid here EM72.
CQ CQ CQ AJ4W Rover, hello anyone. Nope not anyone, not even Jimmy W4ZRZ.
We were either in the land of no RF or everyone was gone to church or sleeping late.
In any case no contacts from EM72 . But we all knew things were going to change soon
cause we were headed to Mt.Cheaha. If you have not ever been there, then make plans
to go, just make sure it is better weather than it was when we arrived. When we got to
the top , the wind was rocking the motor home. It was not just a gust or two but strong
blast of wind. Again we encountered strong RF from the APT transmitters so we went
up in the observatory to look out over the country side. Trouble was and this is no joke
the APT tower which was less than 75 ft. away was nearly unseeable looking out of the
windows. Tom did bring his trusted camera and got our picture though(also in attachment).
After leaving the peak and coming down the slopes we were able to make several
good contacts on all bands from the scenic view pulloffs. That was about it from EM73.
Next we headed north to EM74 with no way of knowing what layed ahead or where
exactly we were going. Thank goodness for GPS locators we knew when we had made
it to the new grid. No mountain top, but no obstructions either. We set up and started to
operate and were told by several what good signal we had all around.
As we got back on the road , heading for our home Grid , I heard W4LIA asking if we
were back in EM64 yet. Again a quick check of the GPS and sure enough we had just
crossed back over so got to work Rick from EM64 on his three bands. Also N4DXY,W4EVH
W4WDH, W3NH, AA4R, AF4OD, AA4R, KM4MP and several others.
A good time was had by all of us and I would not be surprised if at some point we tried
it again. If so I know we will let more people know what we are going to do.
73 FROM THE AJ4W/ ROVER GROUP DANA KD4ESC, JOE AJ4W & TOM N5ROC. -- AJ4W
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