01/31/2009 | K0MHC/R Thanks to all Texas stations who participated in this test. It's one of the best ways to really field test your equipment versus bench testing. It's amazing what really happens in the field!

This was our first Texas rove since 2000. Many of the old operating sites were over grown with foliage and/or housing developments so that was a bit of scouting involved. Our rove route was based on old observations and will have to be reworked for January, 2010.
I was able to work many of the RMG members who hopefully will file a log this year!!

EQUIPMENT:
50 - 3456 MHz (sorry we left 5.7 and 10 GHz dual band dish in MN)
8' K1FO yagis for 144, 222 & 432; PAR Moxon for 6 meters with 100 - 200 watts per band
6' loopers for 902 - 3456 with 20 - 40 watts per band
Mast traveling height: 11' versus operating height: 23'

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Grids activated: EM00, EL09, EM10, EM01, EM02 (no contacts from EM12 and EM11 on Sunday!)
140 QSOs (50 - 3456) with 35 Mults.
The 6 meter moxon really worked well when elevated to 23'.
Shorter transmission lines helped the 902 - 3456 signals.

CHALLANGES:
Saturday afternoon had relatively good propagation with many contacts.
Sunday the dry line passing through absolutely killed propagation! What a major disappointment!
Many of the random contacts with rovers faded out either due to propagation or their going QRT. Some of the expected big guns were nowhere to be found. We'll need more organization for next January.
Some calling frequency congestion and rag chewing during the contest. This calls for following best practices more closely.
Low band power output levels were at about 1/2 rated power due to an intermittent DC voltage level problem. The FT-847 ALC still drifts affecting the power output.

Extra thanks to Bill W3XO/5, Tom K5VH, Bryan N5YC and Steve N5AC/R for running the bands with us from several grids. Ron K5LLL gets the award for most QSOs (24); should have been 2X more.

All considered it was another fun event. Next year I need to find a roving partner (with a fire extinguisher).

See y'all next January.

73, Jim K0MHC/R
Kerrville, TX EM00kb
"ROVING; SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!" -- K0MHC