02/03/2007 | N6NB/R These rover expeditions seem to keep growing. This time four stations roved together from Orange County, California, to the College City grid convergence northwest of Sacramento. We had W6TE and WA6LUT, KG6TOA and KI6AAY, W6YLZ (roving without a second operator) and N6NB with K6MI.

We were blessed with really good weather (sunshine and high temperatures near 70 degrees both days) for the fourth January in a row. We were also blessed with a minimum of equipment and antenna failures. With four 10-band stations, there are 40 antennas and 40 feedlines, a dozen transceivers, 24 transverters, a bunch of amplifiers and a gazillion interconnecting cables. Out of all that, we had one major antenna failure (a six meter loop whose mounting bracket broke due to metal fatigue), one antenna rotation problem and one patch cord failure. We know we've been lucky. And we know this can't last forever. I get cold and shell-shocked just reading about the way Murphy struck K2DRH this year after six fabulously successful January contests!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to work us during our long drive up the state of California. We had fun. -- N6NB