[MAMS] 10 GHz+ cumulative 2011 report NE8I

[Lloyd Ellsworth]

Claimed score both weekends 8388 pts. 29 operating hours. 12 hours and
534 miles of driving. 5 rover stops. Best DX on 10 GHz 435 KM 24 GHz
90 KM.

August, was mostly rain scatter. All but one of the contacts, were rain scatter.

September, Saturday. There were several of us on Lake Michigan.
Michigan, W9NU, KB8U, WA8VPD, WB8TGY, NN9X, W8ISS, from home; N8PUM,
K2YAZ, WW8M, K8JA, WE9Y and myself. Wisconsin K9PW, K3SIW, W9SNR,
W9SZ. Illinois W9ZIH. Indiana W9NU. Both from home. In Michigan, we
broke up into groups of 2 and 3. Drove around. W8ISS and I teamed up.
Started at Ludington State Park. Set up on top of a small dune. Had
lots of visitors. Made several contacts. Including 2 24 GHz across the
Lake. K3SIW and K9PW. One environmental group, was picking up trash.
10 pounds worth. Number one item, cigarette butts. They had a nice
glossy, professional produced brochure that they passed out,
explaining things. Local newspaper reporter stopped by. Interviewed
us,  Took some pictures. Said what we did was interesting. Would be a
story in the local paper. A gal on her bicycle rode by. Stopped talked
for a bit. Asked if we minded if she painted a picture of us. Not at
all. So she painted a picture of us. Then we went to Schoedel Road.
Were unable to make any contacts from there. We later found out our
radios both died. W8ISS lost the relay driver in his DEMI module. We
spent a few hours to build a manual replacement. My Kuhne Transverter
died. Bad crystal. All over the band. Normally, I use the theory of
having some sort of back up. This time, I chose not to. So, Murphy
ruled, and I lost. Paid for it. Lost several hours, and contacts
Saturday, and Sunday. The Weather was beautiful. Early fall day.
Sunday, got a late start, from fixing the problems. Again, beautiful
weather. Started at AJ scenic overlook. Seemed like it was a long time
between contacts. Then fast and furious. Later, later afternoon, drove
down to Arcadia Bluff on M22. Made several more contacts. The sky got
cloudy. We received reports of rain in Wisconsin. Plus radar. So, with
the potential for rain scatter, we called CQ for a few hours at
various headings. No replies. We heard some rain scatter on W9SNR. We
bumped into KD8FHC, who drove up the dune, to get into a repeater for
a net. Described what we were doing to a curious group. When it
started raining, since it was late, poor light, we decided to pack it
up, and call it another contest.

Sidebar comment. Several of the places we operated, had no cellphone
coverage. Several of the stations on, available, had to be called to
be worked. N8PUM, WW8M, K8JA, WE9Y. Some more 2M relays would have
been nice. K2YAZ, did what he could to relay. A major effort. Not to
mention a great host for the group.

October MAD is comming up Saturday October 1, 2011. Likely I will set
up somewhere. Don't know yet. WA8VPD suggests bringing some bands
other than just 10 GHz. I would like to try Tustin Knob EN74gc. Have
to look at the weather before I make any decisions.

Fun was had by all. Thanks to all for their fine efforts. Next year.

73, Lloyd NE8I/r
EN74 etc