[50mhz] Grid DXpedition - Questions

[Jonesy W3DHJ]

On Mon, 14 Jul 2008, Russell WN4VCH wrote:

>After ten years of operating CW on HF, followed by 22 years QRT, I am
>recently back in the hobby with a Kenwood TS-680S.  This is my first
>rig with 6 meters so I am still learning about the band.
>
>My work takes me at least quarterly to Grid Square DM87:
>
>http://www.vhfdx.net/callbook/gmap.php?Lan=E&Call=&Loc=DM87
>
>I read in this article that DM87 is one of the 'Most Wanted' squares:
>
>http://www.arrl.org/awards/ffma/Most_Wanted_Grid_Survey.pdf
>>
>I also work in DM88, between Lamar and Eads.
>
>I am considering taking the rig on this trip and setting up a portable
>station while there but have a few questions.  I will likely operate CW
>from my truck.
>
>1. What antenna do you recommend?  A dipole?  I am using a square loop
>at home with very good results but it is bulky to carry.

There'll be those that will sneer at you unless you put up at least a 3
el yagi. But, a dipole would do fine -- as would a halo (square loop.)
See my URL below.

>2. Any suggestions for connecting the battery to the rig?  There is no
>power where I work (in the field on a gas pipeline).

Run dedicated, 12 ga or better, power leads from _both_ battery
terminals to the rig.

>3. I have never operated portable - do I have to keep the vehicle running to
>prevent the battery from draining?  The rig only transmits about 15 watts.

Not at 15 watts.  You should be good for a hour or two.  If the band is
not open, then 8 to 10 hours.  HI!HI!  Again, see my URL below.

Again, there'll be those that will sneer at you unless you run some
serious power.  But, when the band is open and when there are two good
weak signal ops on both ends, the log gets filled.

>4. Assuming the band is open, do you think there are enough ops who
>need DM87 to make it worth the effort?  I don't collect grid squares
>but it seems like it would be fun to operate from a rare one.

Yep.  You'll be popular if there's propagation.  In the past 3 years
I've enjoyed three Big 6M Openings out in DM87 during the 3 Summer VHF
contests.  Such a Harmonic Convergence is awesome.  You'll be on the
receiving end of something similar to a 20M pile-up.  Working folks
hand-over-fist and logging by yourself -- you'll feel like a one-armed
paperhanger.  HI!HI!


You'll be getting requests to add other bands -- 2M and higher.
Remember, it's your station - your operation.


I look forward to working you, and maybe pulling off an eyeball QSO.

My web page on portable/rover operation out in DM87-88-77-78:

	http://jonz.net/W3DHJ/vhfrover.html


Welcome back to amateur radio.  And, welcome, too, to 6M!!

73
Jonesy
-- 
  Marvin L Jones     | jonz         | W3DHJ  |  linux
   Pueblo, Colorado  |  @           | Jonesy |   OS/2     __
    38.24N  104.55W  |   config.com | DM78rf |            SK