[50mhz] CQ VHF contest July 20-21 (kinda long)

[Mike Urich]

This is directed towards the S/E Tex hams but I included two other 6 mtr
reflectors as well so if you're wondering why you got it ... now you know.

http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/VHFRUl02.pdf

Gary Raney, KM5TY, and I are discussing renting a beach house in Freeport
and operating the July CQ VHF contest from there.  This is a "somewhat" rare
grid, EL28, and could be a "catch" for some of the other contesters that
w/e.  (kinda like putting out a salt lick & corn in September, knowhutImean
Vern?)

We have the gear pretty well covered (subject to change) modest as it is ...

2Mtr station
FT-736R (I hope to have a 25in/160out all mode amp for it by then or at
least a loaner for the w/e)
10 ele yagi w/rotor

6Mtr station
IC706MKIIG
3 ele yagi, "armstrong" rotor.

We're pretty well set on feedline, push-up poles etc.  Our plans are to
plant the poles on the ground and with the decks pretty much up around 12-13
feet above ground we can guy them off against the decks and extend them on
up another 10 - 15 feet.  We figure, for the 6 mtr band we start off with it
pointed towards Maine and should be able to work just about everybody
between a line from here to Chicago and another line from here to
Jacksonville without having to swing it around any.  We've also discussed
putting up a 423 yagi as well (since both rigs have UHF) so if someone
needs/wants EL28 on 70cm we can try to oblige them.

I did an internet search <see links below> an found that for ~$350-500 we
can get a (2-3) br (1-2) bath beach house for the w/e.  If we can get 4 or 5
others this will cut everyone's expenses down to below $100/person depending
upon how much you eat.  :-)  If you have a full size HF rig with six in it,
and, would want to loan it out for the w/e that would be great ... but don't
look for a discount on room and board if you come!  :-)

I'd like to get a beach house with an outdoor pit so we could do some
serious brisket cooking for Sat night, any cooks out there?  Please let me
know if you're interested as soon as possible.  I probably need to reserve a
beach house within a week or two.  Of course if you just want to drop by
while we're down there ... that's cool too!

http://www.beach-houses.com/
http://www.beachresortservices.com/
http://www.brri.com/
http://www.coastalproperties.cc/
http://www.columbia-property.com/

Also ... topic last.

I'm still working with Cibolo Creek Ranch http://www.cibolocreekranch.com
for the Sept VHF QSO contest from DL79.  They have a private airport with
big maintenance barn that we could hopefully operate from.  This will be
primarily a "camping" trip since I for one can't afford the accommodations
there.  Anyone interested in that trip?  This is about 700 miles or 10 hours
no matter how we cut it unless you want to fly into El Paso and drive back
to the ranch which is about 250 miles or 3.5 hours.

Now ... go out there and work that DX.

Mike Urich,   KA5CVH
www.ka5cvh.com
LaPorte TX   EL-29