[AK-VHF] Two Rovers

[Brandon Clark]

Hi there Craig,

That is great to hear that we will have another Rover out there. Where is
the overlook that you mentioned in Kincaid Park? I have done a lot of
searching around up there, but never found a decent location to operate
from. I found multiple marginal locations, but no great ones. There is what
looks like an old Nike site in the area you mentioned, but the hate to
drive up is always locked.

Anyway, at the start of the event keep an antenna pointed towards the
north. My first two sites are where I will be struggling the most for
contacts, especially on bands other than 2 meters. I can't stay long
either, since I need to get back to the valley and Anchorage to take
advantage of the best contesting hours.

During the last event I was able to work Mike, KL6M, from Susitna North and
all he had on his end was a quarter wave vertical if I remember correctly.
It is impressive how far a signal will go if someone just takes the effort
to keep an ear open.

I will be sending out a more detailed itinerary tomorrow, like Ed suggested.

73
Brandon


On Sat, Jun 1, 2019, 23:19 Ruthann Bledsoe <ruthann.bledsoe at alaskaair.com>
wrote:

> Hi Brandon >>>
>
>
>      Thanks for the update on your grid square roving for next weekend's
> ARRL VHF contest.  I plan to cover at least some of that territory with my
> van on next Saturday myself.  (Sunday I will be assisting with the Tour de
> Cure bike race communications as set up by Alice, KL2GD.)
>
>
>      After the completion of the VHF+ Net I will provide BP51 contacts on
> all requested bands and modes from my home QTH just down the hill from your
> Mount Baldy stop mentioned below.  Then I will drive out to the Kincaid
> Park overlook (just beyond the KL7AA club station location) in BP41 and
> repeat the drill, except for the 33 cm and 23 cm bands.
>
>
>      I have no idea if there will be any Club participation from any of
> the three major Anchorage-area groups (AARC, MARA, and EARS), but I will
> copy this around to the usual suspects to see if anyone plans to show up
> for this contest from their respective organizations.
>
>
>      Everybody appreciates your effort to stir up lots of action for this
> important annual event.
>
>
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
>
>
>            Craig, KL4E
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* ak-vhf-bounces at mailman.qth.net <ak-vhf-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> on behalf of Brandon Clark <kl7bsc at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Friday, May 31, 2019 14:40
> *To:* AK VHF+ Group
> *Subject:* [AK-VHF] June Rover Route
>
> Good afternoon group,
>
> It's that time again. The June VHF contest is next weekend, starting at 10
> a.m. local time. After an absence from radio during winter and spring I
> will be roving again during the event.
>
> I am doing a slightly different route this year, and will start the event
> in the Susitna North area. My second grid square is nearby on the Parks
> Highway, and then I will be traveling south through Wasilla and back to
> Eagle River. I will be operating from the Mount Baldy trailhead in Eagle
> River, which allows me to pick up everything from Wasilla down to the
> Kenai. to will head down to Anchorage for my next grid square. The last
> stop for Saturday will be near Indian, on Turnagain Arm.
>
> The plan for Sunday is to start out on Diamond Ridge Road near Homer, and
> then work my way back towards Anchorage. That activates a few more grids,
> and with my beam antennas I expect I should be able to pick up Anchorage
> stations pretty easily along that route.
>
> I will have truck-mounted yagi antennas for 2 meters and 70 cm. On 6 meters
> I have a loaded vertical on the vehicle which also works well. I will
> mainly operate FM near/on the calling frequencies, but will be doing some
> SSB operation as well. I had hoped to set up 1.25 meter capability for the
> contest, but ran out of time.
>
> Please spread the word that I'll be out there calling for contacts. Also
> let any new technicians out there know that this is a great contest to
> develop their skills and have some fun. If anyone is curious about how to
> participate feel free to contact me and I'll get you pointed in the right
> direction. If you have a handheld radio and a decent location then you have
> what you need to have some fun next weekend.
>
> 73,
>
> Brandon, KL7BSC
>
>