2009 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
01/20/2009 |
K2QO/R
This may be the first January contest where we did not work any DX. The usual surprise Caribbean QSO on 6m never happened. Neither did the usual contacts on 2M into ME. Propagation was very much in the tank, especially on the microwaves. Granted it was only 8F on Saturday, but as you get closer to superconducting temperatures things should improve, yes?
Many thanks to a new rover team that hit the road, KC2QZF/R and his rove partner N2WLS. There is nothing better for activity than a new rover team! Now if I can only talk Steve into taking another band or two. Great job guys!
As far as total activity, what was lost in Q's with the usual superstations was made up largely by newer callsigns in and around Rochester on 2M FM which was hopping. It feels like there is a resurgence of activity around Rochester. If a few more stations get on and add a band or two future contests will be a blast! At times, the pileups were a few stations deep and you could not tell who was calling who. Nice.
The K2QO/R team made its third journey in the new Saturn Vue. While a bit tight in the interior, it works well. A custom rack with all the transverters, amplifiers, IF radio, custom DC rotor and elevation boxes fits nicely in the space vacated by the left passenger seat. We ran 6, 2 and Laser from the front seat and 222, 432 and up to 10G from the back. This works well in September and January when the contest is not likely to turn into a 6M only affair. We mix up the bands front/back for June.
One new feature this contest was a snazzy elevation control for the 5.7/10G dual feed dish dish built by rover partner W2TAU. It senses elevation and provides visual feedback via diodes that allow us to point level, up or down as needed. Unfortunately, there were no long haul contacts on which to test the system. But the control does allow the dish to be parked facing either up or down to reduce wind load while driving.
Again, thanks to the awesome hospitality of Judy, N2KXS and Fred, WO2P who always provide lots of points with microwave and lasers along with a hot fire, hot chocolate and cookies.
So in summary:
385 miles
382 QSOs
68K points
6 grids FN02/03/12/13/22/23
73,
Mark -- K2QO
Many thanks to a new rover team that hit the road, KC2QZF/R and his rove partner N2WLS. There is nothing better for activity than a new rover team! Now if I can only talk Steve into taking another band or two. Great job guys!
As far as total activity, what was lost in Q's with the usual superstations was made up largely by newer callsigns in and around Rochester on 2M FM which was hopping. It feels like there is a resurgence of activity around Rochester. If a few more stations get on and add a band or two future contests will be a blast! At times, the pileups were a few stations deep and you could not tell who was calling who. Nice.
The K2QO/R team made its third journey in the new Saturn Vue. While a bit tight in the interior, it works well. A custom rack with all the transverters, amplifiers, IF radio, custom DC rotor and elevation boxes fits nicely in the space vacated by the left passenger seat. We ran 6, 2 and Laser from the front seat and 222, 432 and up to 10G from the back. This works well in September and January when the contest is not likely to turn into a 6M only affair. We mix up the bands front/back for June.
One new feature this contest was a snazzy elevation control for the 5.7/10G dual feed dish dish built by rover partner W2TAU. It senses elevation and provides visual feedback via diodes that allow us to point level, up or down as needed. Unfortunately, there were no long haul contacts on which to test the system. But the control does allow the dish to be parked facing either up or down to reduce wind load while driving.
Again, thanks to the awesome hospitality of Judy, N2KXS and Fred, WO2P who always provide lots of points with microwave and lasers along with a hot fire, hot chocolate and cookies.
So in summary:
385 miles
382 QSOs
68K points
6 grids FN02/03/12/13/22/23
73,
Mark -- K2QO
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