[Elecraft] WA3WSJ Polar Bear Moonlight Madness " Experience"!--- Long

[designer]

Though I didn't work a polar bear, I had an enjoyable time listening 
for them and learned a lot.
I will now really honor those QRP frequencies. It was very 
frustrating when "power" stations would  QSO with each other nearby 
or right on top. I was concerned about my "high power" (50-75 watts) 
answering a QRP station but I would never originate a QSO nearby.

Also, was it just me or did anyone else hear a stuck transmission 
just a little high of 14.060 about 30 minutes before Polar Bear start 
time. Sounded like a paddle was stuck on dits or dahs.

The biggest impression was the "power/range" of QRP. I'm in central 
Oregon and I was hearing "9's", "0's" "4's" and "1's" all over the 
place - alas, no "3's". I feel a lot better about my stable of 20 
watt (or less) rigs.

Finally, if I'm in the same area next year, I'll try to hike to our 
"pedestrian" mountain top, Tumalo Mountain at 7,000 ft (only 1500 ft 
gain) and point a dipole or extended Zepp right at the PA polar 
bears. I have a lot of outdoor activities and can't wait to get the 
packaging/power source worked out so I can take a small rig along.

To the Polar Bears - thanks for the inspiration. This might be a 
better ritual than that jump in the outdoor pool I do every January.

73,
Paul (NW Polar Bear)