Congratulations to everyone got out and enjoyed doing some portable QRP during this event.  It doesn’t really matter how long you were able to stay out or how many contacts you made.  This event is really about just getting outdoors, setting up a portable station, and having some fun finding other Bumblebees and being found by other Bumblebees and Home Stations.

The comments showed some new antennas in use.  I’m on about my 20^th portable wire antenna.  I enjoy experimenting with all kinds of different wire antenna lengths and configurations.  Each time I think I have found the perfect antenna, another idea comes along.

We had 234 Bumblebees who signed up for this event.  Hopefully a significant number were able to get out there and enjoy some portable QRP.  So far, 88 scores have been submitted.  Check back on https://www.3830scores.com/ from time to time to see the latest entries.

Propagation?  Just so-so.  Seemed like we had short skip on 20m and 15m.  With QSB.  I did not hear any of the DX BBs.  The East and West coasts did not seem to be hearing each other.  And the stations in the middle of the country were hearing both sides and had to deal with QRM.

Bumblebee station pictures are coming in.  They will get posted soon.  Send FOBB BB pictures to [email protected]

The Skeeter Hunt is coming up on Sunday August 16^th.  Skeeter numbers are now being issued.  Details are at https://w2lj.blogspot.com/

And we will have a Fall FOBB event again this year.  The Fall FOBB will be on Sunday September 20^th.    Self-Seve Bumblebee numbers for the Fall FOBB will be available at https://ars-qrp.com/ beginning one month before the event.

73,

Jody – K3JZD

Adventure Radio Society Trustee

PS – Unrelated, but worth mentioning:  The Skyview Radio Society near Pittsburgh PA is raffling a brand-new IC-7610 radio.  Not a portable QRP radio, but the 7610 can be set to run 5 watts or less.  Raffle Ticket prices are the lowest that I have ever seen for a radio with this high of a value. The Winning Ticket will be drawn on 30AUG26.  However, in case of event cancellation or delay, the drawing will then occur no later than noon on 31DEC26.  Feeling lucky?   Purchase Tickets at https://skyview.cybernode.net/