[NLRS] W0GC/Rover June VHF Contest (long)

[Gary Carlson]

I was disappointed to learn that I'd miss the VHF contest due to an
event I'd be attending in Iowa.
At the last minute, I decided to throw in the IC-820 and bungee cord the
small dual band beam to
the luggage rack of the XYL's van.  Drove in rain much of the way to
Iowa. =20
We would be staying in EN43, near Decorah, Iowa on Saturday evening then
returning to EN14 the following
morning.

Talked with Matt, KF=D8Q, right off the bat, since he was in the same =
grid
square.
Was able to spend a little time after dinner on a hill west of Decorah.
Worked about 10 grids, some off
the back of the beam.  The only station I could hit on 440 off the back
or side of the beam was N=D8UK.
N=D8UK was 20 dB over S9, when we had our beams pointed toward each =
other.

The trip back was a real adventure.  Every time I would hear someone,
we'd drop into a hole or turn a corner and
point the beam in the wrong direction.  Switched to CW, which seemed to
help.  Quite a trick trying to send
CW, copy CW, and log all in your lap!  Made six contacts this way in
EN33, and seven more in EN23.  I'd planned
to stay on the interstate into Sioux Falls (EN13), but the XYL decided
to head north earlier.  Only worked two
stations from EN24.

When I arrived to my home grid square (EN14), I took the van to a hill,
just east of Clear Lake, South Dakota and picked up four stations on two
bands.

N=D8UK was the only station that I worked on both bands from all the =
grid
squares.  The operators were very good about
swinging their beams my way and listening for my calls.  I'm sure their
persistence paid off in their total score.

Thanks to all who made this a real adventure!


Gary Carlson
W=D8GC
2566 Lake Cochrane Dr. W.
Gary, SD 57237-5518
605-272-5767   605-530-0817