07/12/2004 | KF I was originally hoping to get the rover out for the June test but too much going on for that to happen so at the last minute it was decided that it might be fun to set up a multi-op station (KBHN and myself) at a nice spot on the ridge here in SE Minnesota. Never had any idea of a serious operation just wanted to get on the air and see what would happen. Jim and I thought that keeping the band count down would help so we maxed out with 6 bands this year. Since the rain was terrible here this June (like most other places) we had a tough time getting the antennas up prior to contest Saturday. The WX however seemed to shape up just in time and I was able to get 222 through 1296 up along with the operating tent, 3 transceivers, 5 bricks, 2 rotators and 2 networked pcs Saturday morning!
As luck would have it we missed some of the opening on six Saturday afternoon fixing the big stack (lost 6MX5) after a burst of wind laid it down (ouch) in front of the operating tent! Had to use the PAR moxon rover antenna (was easy to grab in a hurry -). Even though I felt compromised on 50MHz we were still able to work most stations on the band and was quite happy to get ZF1DC in the log as well as VE5UF later on with the moxon!
Many other highlights for the weekend working: KG/R, K9ILT/R, WMT/R, W9FZ/R (many thanks to all the Rovers!). Missed some of the usual crowd this time around (guess there was other things going on besides the contest!). Really enjoyed the first ever sweep with Bill, KWU (loud here on 1296!). Sweeps with WMT/R to the west and Bruce, W9FZ/R to my east!!! Would have to say that 902/3 was the most surprising band of the contest! Also managed to snag K8EB from on 3 bands (all CW) for some badly needed mults!
Many thanks to Jim, KBHN for the help -
73,
Matt -- KF