01/30/2009 | KB9C/R Another January contest. Looking back, I'm glad I did it. My rove almost didn't happen. Memories of last year's sub-zero temps and a busy life almost kept me from participating.

You can see one picture with the bank thermometer--that 18 degrees is 23 degrees warmer than last year. That 18 was at the start of the rove. By the time I drove north about 120 miles--to near Wausau--it was about 5 degrees the rest of the day.

I activated grids EN-44/45/55/54 on Saturday and EN-42/52/53/43 on Sunday. Conditions were quite poor on Saturday and activity levels were not that good. Sunday had slightly better conditions and activity levels (within the region) were pretty good in the evening.

This rove used the Badger Contesters club callsign of KB9C/R. That was tough to get used to by me and the familiar stations in the region.

The biggest highlight of this year's effort was including new ham Russell KC9RDC as an operator for two grids on Sunday. I sat him down in front of 7 radios and he got the hang of it. He was very coachable and I'm proud of his willingness to try something new. The highlight during his operating was sweeping with K2DRH on seven bands. Time will tell if VHF contesting interests Russell. As we all know, ham radio is a broad hobby with many facets to draw our interest.

Another highlight was meeting Wendell N9REP/R who roved through the area where I was operating. We met for an eyeball QSO and shack tours at my favorite spot in EN42--the old airport just north of Dodgeville, WI.

Additionally, Sunday night when I arrived in my last grid (EN43) and pointed towards LaCrosse, WI and Minneapolis, MN, I was met by the largest pile-up I've ever seen on 2 meters. It was a real treat to work my way through the 20 or so stations.

Yet another highlight was how well my new antenna rack worked. I've built it from Schedule 80 PVC and each straight section is filled with broom handles. I wondered how it would fare in cold temperatures and the answer is--just fine! (Better gas mileage too!)

At times, in the cold and cq'ing to dead-air, I wondered why I was out there. The highlights made it all worth while.

Within the region, Todd KC9BQA and John W9RPM must be given credit for their promotion efforts before the contest. Many more stations were worked this year--I suspect due to their efforts.

73 till June, Aug, and Sept
Bruce Richardson W9FZ (KB9C/R) -- W9FZ