09/23/2004 | K0MHC/R We were greeted with great weather for the Sept. test weekend although propagation was average with no opening on 6 meters. My rover setup had not made it to the starting gate during the August UHF contest and I was determined that I wouldn't be a no-show again. My FT-847 arrived back from being repaired just in the nick of time to be installed in the Rover. The mast and antennas were already assembled on a docking station and required just three bolts to attach to the rover. The antenna configuration this time consisted of 4 loopers for 902-3456 MHz, an LPDA for 144-432 MHz and a stressed Moxon for 6 meters. They all worked well except for the relatively low gain on 222 and 432 over very long distances. The Moxon performed well as long as it was elevated at 23' and fed properly.

I had an equipment problem during Saturday that prevented me from receiving on 902-2304 due to the 24 VDC relay voltage sagging. This was fixed on Sunday morning.

Since this was my first rove in the Midwest for quite a while, I spent too much time looking for good operating sites. I'll need to do more scouting for next June.

Thanks to all of the fixed and rover stations that worked to pull my signals out of the noise. I appreciate your following me around.

Thanks to the NLRS members and Jon W0ZQ who did a great job coordinating the event. It goes to show you that the weak signal clubs make the difference between poor showings and outstanding turnouts in areas of the country; regardless of the propagagion conditions.

See y'all next Spring during the June test. I'll probably be roving for some time before I get my current tower projects completed (but that's another story).

73, Jim
EN26ha
Lake Miltona, MN -- K0MHC