[MRCA] Aberdeen Military Vehicle Rally After Action Report

[B. Smith]

         Quite a show with the WX condx many times better that CAVOK 
mostly clear skies and reasonable temperatures. I drove my M151A1 up 
from Chickenland and set up using a 25 foot AT-1011 antenna mounted on 
the rear of the vehicle and used the K4CHE  center loading coil 
modification, threw a belt  on the Mutt as I arrived but my large 
alternator-fan system uses 3 so just adjusted the tension to get rid of 
the horrible noise  and ran on 2.
          Those attending just to mention a few calls that I wrote 
down.  Tom N3AJA, Ole Buzzard Rich W2OBR, Bernie W3OWE, Joe W3KJT, Mark 
KD3ZK, Dave KB3ELD,Steve N3NNG, Mike W1AMR, and the famous Steve Roberts 
K3BVI. Sorry to say Jeff KG2BZ had to CNX at the last minute and was 
missed by all -   -   -  Jeff's  flea market pardner Jason took good 
care of me and helped me with the vehicle repairs.
          Spent a lot of time talking with Dave and Mark and enjoyed the 
shade of their very large flea market space. Had to kid Mark about his 
not bringing his WWII jeep he recently restored. And its Mark's fault 
that I wound up with the Pogo Stick RF section so down the slippery 
slope I go.   Mark and Dave are walking-talking  WWII radio 
encyclopedias.  My check into the M and S net Saturday was OK, signals 
were good and for some reason every time I use the AT-1011, I can hear 
Pete  an S unit or 2 higher than at my  home QTH.
         Hard to make an brief  statement on  everything I saw as the 
place is a visual overload for me as my interests include vehicles as 
well as electronics  but have to mention the R-389/URR receiver (15 to 
1500 Kcs),PRC-41's were $50,  TCS stuff for $50 a pop,ARR-7 for $100 but 
went cheaper, all sorts of WWII Navy gear. Pogo Stick RF assemblies(B 
models) brand new in the box for $50 and I had to buy one. Think I will 
stuff some crystals in it and power it up for the Sunday Night CW net 
keying the oscillator section. And last but not least an F-86L 
instrument panel complete (the L was loaded with avionics and turned 
into an interceptor). Saw a nice CRV and RBC receiver. Spent an 
entertaining 10 minutes with a  flea market gentlemen who was set up 
selling vehicle parts and had a nice  $10 BC-221 for sale , he explained 
that the BC-221 did work and that he used it this winter to monitor the 
control tower and listen to the WX broadcasts up in Vermont. And have to 
mention Bernie's PRC-1/VRC-1 radio which I will have photos available 
later. Bernie snagged a nice antique crystal set  WWI era. And also have 
to mention his XM1147/SAV vehicle with photos which will also be 
available later.
          Great meet, hanging out with your radio buddies and playing 
radio, it doesn't get any better than that. Drove home with the side 
doors  off and enjoyed the air and sunshine. Stopped at Summit KEVY on 
the way back and walked the tarmac for a while and that brought back 
many memories. I do miss it so.
Z