[Elecraft] Re-cap of Polar Bear November 2005 Run

[Ron Polityka]

Hello,

 Well I have to say Sunday was one of the better Polar Bear Expeditions that 
I have had since we started do this event. The weather was way too warm for 
this time of year. 68' F when we arrived at the top and 50' F when we packed 
up to come home.

 Ed, WA3WSJ and I hiked up to the Pulpit Rock in 40 minutes with his dog 
Trevor, WA3WSJ/DOG. We hiked up the steep road and my knee did not bother 
me. Ed had a harder time than I did because he was carrying a 50 lb. pack, 
that is the weight I take every time I hike.

 We had a total of six Polar Bear operators and Polar Dog with a fleece 
jacket on. Wait until I get the pictures up on the web.  :-) Everyone had a 
blast, especially me.

 I worked a total of 13 station to place my total count of QSO's from the 
Appalachian Trail up to 449. Unfortunately I did not work any other Polar 
Bears.  :-(  But I did manager some Great Q's from the AT. I worked OO4ON in 
Belgium on 30 meters. I heard him calling CQ and he came back to my first 
call. He gave me a 339. Then I worked EA5KY from Spain on 40 meters. He gave 
me a 549 and could not believe that I was QRP. Only drag was the RTTY on 40 
meters but I was working around 7.020 in the clear. I was using my K1 @ 5 
watts into the homebrew vertical.

 After we packed up we hit the pizza shop for a large pie and some beer, not 
bear.  :-) I can't wait until December. I am planning a Polar Bear Sprint 
where for a Saturday where everyone can play for points, even station 
operating from home in the warm temp.

 I will make a post when the pictures are up on the web site.

72 and Thanks,
Ron Polityka
WB3AAL
Polar Bear #2
www.wb3aal.com
www.n3epa.org/

K1 - SN 01011
K2 - SN 01392