06/12/2002 | K7MDL/R Here is the K7MDL Rover Report:

Started 2 hours late. My son CJ, KD7OJP, was co-pilot.
Went to Petermen Hill in CN86 (2750ft.) until Richard, N7VWJ, arrived in the late afternoon. Great spot. Attempted to run to CN85/Portland through CN96. The forest road on the back side of Mt. St. Helens was blocked halfway at the National Park viewpoint turnoff and had to turn back and abandon CN85 and all grids South. 6M opened up but I was in deep mountain valley shielding all RF. Logged elk and deer sightings to pass the time while we doubled back.

After a strategy debate at 9pm, we made for Yakima in Eastern Washington via White Pass on Hwy 12 (CN96) arriving 12:00am Sunday morning where we got some food and gas. Stopped at Ellensburg viewpoint for a few nap hours. No useful radio contact from 7pm Saturday to 6:30am on Sunday except for a brief White Pass session (4600ft).

Proceeded to Frenchman Hills in DN06/07/Cn96/CN97 grid corner. Worked a few Canadian stations on 6M and 2M.

Proceeded to Seattle via I-90 (CN96,97,87). Worked some stations on the way including a brief 6M opening around noon. Went to Clearview (CN87). Ran into the N7WLO porcupine vehicle in the parking lot. Moved to Lake Stevens (CN88). Finished on Green Mtn. (CN98) North of Mt. Pilchuck at 2800ft. On Green Mtn. snow blocked access to the top so the rock wall on my back side was a great 6M DX filter. Could not hear a soul from the east. Great view to the South, West, and Northwest though so we missed both evening 6M openings to the east.

Ended up with about 21,000 points for those who are counting. Activated 8 grids, worked 45, 323 QSOs on 6M, 2M, and 432. January I totaled 1300 points. Certainly an improvement - despite the 12 hour outage! I was consistent on one item in both contests though - I missed the 6M DX openings again (save 3 or 4 morning contacts).

73s
-- K7MDL