[K3PZN-List] Fw: [QRP-L] a brief account of Lobstercon

[Curt Milton]

Just a forward about a group of New England Ops who gather for ham radio and Lobster at an outdoor camp.  FYI.  

--- On Sun, 7/12/09, Jim Cluett (W1PID) <w1pid at amsat.org> wrote:

> From: Jim Cluett (W1PID) <w1pid at amsat.org>
> Subject: [QRP-L] a brief account of Lobstercon
> To: qrp-l at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009, 7:14 PM
> Lobstercon 2009
> 
> I can only tell you part of the story...
> I only stayed two days and only saw a very
> small bit of the action. But it was enough
> to fill me with wonder (as it has for the last
> ten years). First the weather...
> It was sunny for the first time in nearly three
> weeks. It was unbelievable to many rain-weary
> New Englanders.
> 
> As soon as I arrived Friday morning K0ZK, Arn,
> drafted me to help put up a sloper anchored in
> the salt water mud flats beyond the camp site.
> Arn took off his shoes and pants! (Yes... he is a
> devoted QRPer...) He grabbed a wire and waded out
> up to his knees in squish. I had the easy job...
> paying out a spool of antenna wire which had
> already been launched over a tree at the shoreline.
> He made great QSOs with his K3 sitting on the
> table at the edge of the marsh.
> 
> After a breather... I was drafted again. This time to
> help put up a 700 foot loop at about 45 feet with Steve
> Weber, KD1JV and Seab Lyon, AA1MY. These guys are pros,
> and it went up like a jewel. And what a performer that
> antenna was. The DX poured in from everywhere, especially
> on 40 and 30.
> 
> As I greeted Jim Fitton, he showed me his Reggie (designed
> by
> AA1TJ, Mike, who also attended). What an exquisite job Jim
> did
> with the build.
> 
> In the evening a large contingent headed out to Bailey's
> Island
> and Cook's Lobster Pound for dinner. What a spot. We
> had full-view window seats of the harbor complete with
> boats at mooring in the front of the Granite Crib Bridge.
> The
> long afternoon sun enhanced every reflection and made the
> colors
> vibrate as we inhaled the salt air and ate dinner.
> 
> After dinner we drove out to the point and gazed toward the
> sea
> and some off-shore lighthouses. It was pure medicine for us
> in-landers.
> 
> 
> As dark approached I headed for my tent for a quiet night's
> rest.
> But at 3:00 in the morning a band of nearby coyotes struck
> up a
> most remarkable chorus. The variations of tone and calls
> were so
> astounding. It continued for at least 10 minutes.
> 
> Coffee and dough-nuts in the morning soon led to more
> antenna
> shenanigans. Seab launched a large parafoil kite. It was at
> least
> 400 feet high and looked darned stable. He was about to
> attach
> an antenna wire to it, when suddenly it dive-bombed and
> landed
> in a 70 foot pine tree at the far edge of the field. Seab
> was determined to retrieve it and announced he was going
> to
> climb the tree. "Forget it," I pleaded. "Leave it as a
> memento...
> we'll get another." But Seab headed back to his camper to
> get
> a pair of gloves and some rubber soled shoes. He marched
> back and
> grabbed at some dead limbs at the base of the tree
> intending to break
> them off and get them out of his way. He climbed the tree
> in under
> five minutes... at least to 65 feet. All the way we could
> hear
> dead branches cracking and falling to the ground as he made
> a clear
> climbing path to the top. He retrieved the kite without
> mishap!
> Seab is 72 years old.
> 
> There are a hundred more stories. Of Bill, AB1AV and the
> ADRF
> chasers... Of Jim Francoeur KC1FB and his nue-psk modem
> setup.
> Of Michael Rainey and his Fairchild 50 minimalist rig. Of
> his
> wonderful wife Vickie who kayaked with Seab's wife Sharon
> out into
> the ocean. Of Norm, K1GRU and his 813 QRP rig. Of Bruce,
> N1RX and
> his compressed-air tennis ball launcher. Of Rex, of
> lobsters, of
> QRPers from far and near who make up a family of inventors,
> radio
> adventurers and friends.
> 
> It was a glorious time. Thank you all. 73 Jim W1PID
> 
> 
> 
> 
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