06/18/2008 | K7MDL/R Operated Motocycle Rover this year versus the full size 4WD truck. Only had Saturday for play so operated close by home. Went to my favorite CN98 location on Green Mtn. The Pacific Northwest had record snowfalls this year and most high spots are still snowed in, and if the snow does not block you, the fallen timber across the roads will try.

This trip I was blocked by a snowpatch just below the normal 3,000 ft. perch so I operated from the wet trees, which harbored hungry mosquitos looking for their first meal of the summer season.

Made 51 QSOs from CN98 using a FT-817 at 5W into 2 whips. One is a 2M 5/8W tuned for 6M, the other is a 144-222-432 whip. I forgot the control cable for the 222MHz transverter so only put 3 bands on the air. Sunday I operated from my home station and filed a separate log. The motorcycle is a Kawasaki KLR 650, a 650cc Dual Sport for highway and forest road type duty.

Had good sigs from Mexico, southern and mid CA, and the midwest on 6M Sunday afternoon to the end. Managed to snag one lucky 6M QSO from CN87 here to K8GP in FM08. He came and went in a very few minutes, but long enough to count.

- Mike -- K7MDL