12/23/2004 | N1XIH/7 Following a telephone call and email to Dan N1ND at ARRL Headquaters on the Thursday I flew from London, England to Portland, Oregon arriving on the Friday evening. I wanted to take part in the contest from Seaside OR. Thinking that it would help in my obtaining the WAS 90th Award. Which I was having great difficulty from home.

On arrival at my hotel in Seaside OR I discovered that there was 599 QRM QRN. Also 24 hours of continuous travelling is tiring so I needed some rest. So I traveled down the coast to find a location near a beach to give good propogation and a nice view as I wanted to work Hawaii and Alaska.

My station consisted of an FT817 with an MFJ902 atu. I had a W9WG DSP audio filter but found that I did not require it. This fed a 14 foot vertical on a mag mount located on the roof of the vehicle. It was guyed at 4 feet to the vehicle. The outer edge of the mag mount was connected with 'croc clips' to a suitable vehicle chassis point. I also ran a counterpoise from the mag mount under the car. I also had the option of putting up a multiband hf mobile antenna. But I didn't use it. I hoped that this setup would minimise the impact of the station on others who were also enjoying the beach and surroundings. It only took 10 to 15 mins to set up.

I managed to contact 10 stations including Hawaii. But missed out on N9TTX which would have been another 2 points and a multiplier. I met Bill Ferguson W7WNF who came over to have a chat later on the Sunday afternoon.

All in all was it worth it? Would I do it again? I think the photographs say it all? -- GW0NVN/N1XIH