[ILQSO] N9GZ/p

[Michael Schrowang]

This ILQP will be long remembered as being c-c-c-cold. We set up southeast
of Rockford on the four county corners of Boone/Dekalb/Ogle/Winnebago in
the "boonies". Had the pleasure of operating with Harold,W9HB, who
suffered with us in the elements. He provided a laptop with a
logging/keying program so it was my first experience with that. Alot
easier to read than paper logs. His paddles were mounted on the right side
of the laptop and being lefthanded made it a challenge but it was worth
it. We keyed up a Kenwood TS-850 to a multiband dipole. We operated out of
a Haulmark cargo trailer with tables set up. We had no heat so sitting in
the truck to warm up was necessary. My son, Josh, came with me and he was
a big help. The generator worked flawlessly and had a lot of people stop
and ask what was going on. Harold was a good mentor on the logging and a
top shelf cw op. I can see why KF9D snaggs him each year for a partner!
Next year KN9T and I should be hooked up again from the same location.
Forty meters was the best band but made a few Qs on 20. Had a good run on
80 cw in the end. Nice to hear WA3HAE and K4BAI among others who come each
year to operate. Never think that portable operations are a snap but it is
well worth it. Lots of logistics and tearing everything down in the dark
is a challenge. I hope other stations will consider portable operations on
county corners all over the state. Can't wait for next year already.
Thanks,Harold for the fun day and it was an honor to operate with you. See
you all next year as KN9T/p!!! Hope all had fun. 73, Mike N9GZ/p