08/17/2009 | KC0IYT/R I roved to six grids this contest. I started with the EN32/EN42/EN33/EN43 grid corner in North-East Iowa (near West Union, IA), and finished on Sunday in the Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN area for EN34 and EN35.

Rain showers passed through the MN/IA/WI area Friday Evening, bringing an inch of rain in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area, and poor propagation. Tall CORN in Iowa made finding useable operating locations difficult, and I was looking for two new locations. Three of the locations were okay, but not great.

I was barely being heard in the Minneapolis area on 222, but 432 was better (higher gain antenna, and more power). I had just a few rover-rover contacts on Saturday, but many more on Sunday when I was in the twin cities. I worked a LOT more grids than I normally do (and still missed many opportunities where I knew there were stations). I set a new personal high score, with far more grids in my log than I usually get.

I was successful at keeping on my rove schedule, and keeping schedules with other stations.

I don't know how guys like W0ZQ run such a clean car? -- KC0IYT