08/17/2008 | WB7QBO/R I changed my whole route plan from previous contests; had high hopes for this one. This year I
decided to go BIG. Spent months planning this route that would include 5 peaks;3 over 8,000 ft
and 2 over 9000 ft with one of those being about 11,000 ft (turned out that road was closed.)
I knew I was going to drive a lot and with gas prices at over $4.00 a gallon I decided to ride my
bicycle to work to make up for this trip. Started riding in early April. If I knew the results
would be this dismal I would have quit riding in early April. What a let down. Saturday, while
driving to my first peak (about 150 miles) I scored 6 contacts covering 2 grids all 6 from K7XC
-- 2 of them dupes; all from down in valleys. Finally making it to the highest peak just over
10,000 ft I scored zero contacts -- NICE! Great view though. Returning home -- 0 contacts
--EVEN NICER!. Total miles just over 300. That's okay, I had Sunday yet to come.
And yes Sunday was better. Covering 4 grids, driving about 240 miles I scored one up from
Saturday. That's right, 7 whole contacts but this time from other stations. The highlight was
a contact with WA6DWI/r in Oregon, my farthest contact. Some things I don't understand. Why
were all contacts made in valleys not at the highest points on my route? 9 of the 13 total
contacts were made within 60 miles of my home QTH. Those wondering what my antennas were.
I used An 11 element yagi for 2 meters, an 18 element yagi for 70 cm and a three element yagi
for 6 meters all hrizontal. I'd like to thank K7XC for trying to help me by giving me
directions to some places he used to do well at. Turns out I don't follow directions very well.
I did read his web site after the contest. Very interesting, should have read it before the
contest.
Am I going to try this again in the September VHF contest? Depends on
if I ride my bicycle to work from June to September. -- WB7QBO