[Elecraft] WA3WSJ: The Best Laid Plans - Fail!

[Edward R. Breneiser]

Hello all,
 
I left the house this morning at 9:25AM EST and arrived at the Hamburg
Reservoir Parking Lot about 9:50 and started hiking up the steep 2 miles
to Pulpit Rock on the AT. By 11:00AM EST I was looking down over the
valley from Pulpit Rock at an elevation of 1582'.  I went over to the
observatory next to the rock and set up my gear. 
 
First problem: I forgot my 20" PVC support rod for the vertical. No
problem, I just grabbed a rock and dig out a small hole in the grass. I
then placed the bottom of my VBWFPA in the hole and supported it with my
HWPS-KIT or guy kit.  I then pulled my K1 from the backpack and rolled
out 50' of coax to the antenna.
 
Second Problem: I tried to connect the PL-259 coax connector to the
coil, but the coil has a BNC connector on it. I looked in my backpack
and antenna case, but no adapter--- GAME OVER!
 
I packed up the radio gear and Trevor and myself had a nice lunch on the
mountain. He bummed half my lunch off me and drink about .75L of water.
He's such a bum, but I love hiking with him. We then took in the view
again from Pulpit Rock. I noticed the trees below the mid-point on the
mountain still had leaves and color on them, but the trees above that
point were bare. I met a nice woman who was day-hiking alone and we
chatted for about 15 minutes. 
 
After the chat, it was down the mountain and back to the truck. We had a
great time up in the mountains, but I wish I had made a few contacts. It
still was a great day and the weather was beautiful up there. Maybe next
trip I won't forget some needed radio gear- hi!
 
72/73,
Ed, WA3WSJ