[AK-VHF] June VHF Rover Route

[Edward R Cole]

Brandon,

Pretty ambitious, though in June, long days!

At 10:24 PM 3/9/2018, Brandon Clark wrote:
>Hi guys,
>
>Thanks for the advice on routes. It sounds like the general idea I 
>had is feasible, but I'll have to be mindful of timing so I can 
>catch the main activity in the anchorage and valley areas at the 
>right time of day. Below is a first draft of a route. I think it's 
>ambitious, but not so ambitious it will completely fall apart. If 
>this list of locations is feasible the next step will be making the 
>timetable. As was suggested, I'll announce plans well in advance on 
>the local nets and try to set up skeds.
>
>1. BO49: Happy Valley area on hwy 1, aim antennas towards Kenai & Soldotna,

I would suggest going a few more miles south and turn east onto 
Diamond Ridge road going about 3-4 miles to the top of hill 
(1100-foot above sea level).  You will have almost line of sight to 
Anchorage 150 miles north.  Chugach SP area is visible.

>2. BP40: Set up somewhere in Soldotna (ideas?), use omni antennas to
>    pick up local contacts,

Terrain is higher about two miles east of the Fred Meyer store.  Good 
areas along road in Sterling (good paths to Anch).

>3. BP50-1: Pull to side of road on Hwy 1 just over grid boundary, aim
>    back towards Soldotna again with 6M and 2M,

Road is highest from mi 64 to 62 then drops down into a canyon in 
sweeping right turn down to the Kenai River.  Not sure what grid mi 
64-62.  Operating from parking lot at Russian River actually works 
back to Soldotna/Kenai (but no path to north).

Might have a shot south to Seward from Swan Lake (jct of Seward & 
Sterling Hwys).

>4. BP50-2: Roadside pullout between Anchorage and Indian, work all
>    bands into Anchorage,

Try either Beluga Point (across from Hope) or Windy Point (near where 
sheep are often seen)  Difficult to work around the bend into 
Anchorage but might find a bounce off mountains west of Hope across 
Turnagain Arm back into Anch.  Not sure I can hit those spots from Nikiski.

>5. BP41: Kinkaid park near the nike bunker (will need help finding
>    that), Work Anchorage and Valley on all bands,
>6. BP51: Mt. Baldy trail parking lot above Eagle River, work Anchorage,
>    Kenai peninsula, and valley on all bands,
>7. BP41: Find a spot near Willow, work whomever I can reach through the
>    trees (anyone know a high spot?),
>8. BP52: Cross the river and grab a few contacts near Susitna North,
>9. BP42: Talkeetna downtown, pick up local contacts,

NL7B (ex KL7HJ) can tell you where he worked from both grids.

>10. Take a few hours to relax, eat, recharge, then drive to Healy area
>    in the night,
>11. BP53: Healy area on Sunday morning, beam towards Fairbanks (not
>    really sure what's available in BP53),
>12. BP54: Set up on side of the hwy where it drops down to Fairbanks,
>    aim antennas into town,
>13. BP64: Set up in a parking lot on he hill where the university is,
>    work locals again.
>14. Go comatose for a while . . . .
>
>Thoughts?
>Brandon

Good,



73, Ed - KL7UW
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