2010 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
01/27/2010 |
K2QO
For the first time in a decade, the K2QO/r team was subject to scheduling anomalies that led to a Limited Multi effort from my home QTH in FN03ra. My home site was not selected with the expectation of running VHF+ in a serious manner, but It is fine for HF-6M contesting.
So, the tower was cranked down and tilted over for the addition of a new M^2 2M7. Next, a ladder was outfitted with long Quagis for 222, 432 and a small Yagi for 2M FM. Once affixed to the gutter outside the shack we were set.
The rover equipment stack was cannibalized to create two operating positions. Networked logging was readied and we awaited the starting time.
And how did it go? Well, overall, not bad but not great either. But there were some GREAT highlights.
1. KC2QZF/R: They were out in force running many grids. They had APRS running which was huge for us. With a second monitor on the main logging computer we were able to keep a window running with aprs.fi following KC2QZF-8 full time. As soon as they stopped at their operating locations, we were able to point at them and work them! This is fabulous. And Steve's operating expertise, with only a few roves under his belt is TOP NOTCH. His efficiency with passing between bands really added to our ability to work him quickly. I think that K2QO/r will be using APRS to help out home stations going forward.
2. The new 2M Yagi worked better than I expected. There were only a few stations heard that could not be worked. I stuck with the 2M7 because I wanted to limit the wind load on the tower. It is only a touch bigger than the rover Yagi so I was initially a bit worried.
3. Working VA2ZAZ in FN25 on 432. The IC-706MkIIg is very deaf on 432, but this was a really fine long distance Q using CW.
4. Working N3NGE on in FN20 on 222. The Quagi was pointing through the roof of the house and we only have 20W on that band.
5. Working KB1BFD in FN41 on 2M with no enhanced propagation (that I could detect.)
And the score? Well, we barely beat our lowest ever rover score.
Bottom Line: WE'LL BE ROVING IN THE FUTURE! It is way more fun. But the unlimited availability of coffee, food and lav breaks sure was nice. -- K2QO
So, the tower was cranked down and tilted over for the addition of a new M^2 2M7. Next, a ladder was outfitted with long Quagis for 222, 432 and a small Yagi for 2M FM. Once affixed to the gutter outside the shack we were set.
The rover equipment stack was cannibalized to create two operating positions. Networked logging was readied and we awaited the starting time.
And how did it go? Well, overall, not bad but not great either. But there were some GREAT highlights.
1. KC2QZF/R: They were out in force running many grids. They had APRS running which was huge for us. With a second monitor on the main logging computer we were able to keep a window running with aprs.fi following KC2QZF-8 full time. As soon as they stopped at their operating locations, we were able to point at them and work them! This is fabulous. And Steve's operating expertise, with only a few roves under his belt is TOP NOTCH. His efficiency with passing between bands really added to our ability to work him quickly. I think that K2QO/r will be using APRS to help out home stations going forward.
2. The new 2M Yagi worked better than I expected. There were only a few stations heard that could not be worked. I stuck with the 2M7 because I wanted to limit the wind load on the tower. It is only a touch bigger than the rover Yagi so I was initially a bit worried.
3. Working VA2ZAZ in FN25 on 432. The IC-706MkIIg is very deaf on 432, but this was a really fine long distance Q using CW.
4. Working N3NGE on in FN20 on 222. The Quagi was pointing through the roof of the house and we only have 20W on that band.
5. Working KB1BFD in FN41 on 2M with no enhanced propagation (that I could detect.)
And the score? Well, we barely beat our lowest ever rover score.
Bottom Line: WE'LL BE ROVING IN THE FUTURE! It is way more fun. But the unlimited availability of coffee, food and lav breaks sure was nice. -- K2QO
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