[NLRS] K0AWU 10Ghz cumulative report

[Bill K0AWU]

GM Guys

   After 736miles of driving this past weekend I have a new respect for 
my old Mazda pickup (and other "rovers"). If it just had airbags, I 
would feal better about it as a 10Ghz rustbucket rovermobile.

  Wally and I had it damp and very cool(mid 50s) all day Saturday as 
we operated for a bit over 9hrs. We had  28 contacts with 6 different 
stations. Three new 10ghz calls for us, VE4CCW, VE4TV and 
VE4XC. Fun to hear their "contest skills" improve with each contact. 
Half of the contacts were done portable to portable fighting shelter 
belts,misc trees etc. The northern ND RRV has tree lined rivers and 
shelter belts that made for challenging SSB contacts, even at short 
distances. 

  Having to extend north and west for the second weekend, to allow 
the fixed stations unique locations, the distances were reduced. Good 
thing too given the very poor conditions with the mist and cold. The 
longest Q Saturday was 157km. I hate to admit it, but I was glad to 
see the "end" of the day. Wally thought I must be "sick", he has never 
seen me ready to STOP operating!

  Sunday morning found Wally rethinking his rove, so I was off alone 
to run the RRV south of Grand Forks. Dennis was kind enough to 
liaison with Sisseton on the cell phone as I worked him on 2m SSB. 
Wind, I understand, was a problem at Sisseton for 2m. W0ZQ did get 
on 2m SSB later and pined the S meter the rest of the day providing 
easy and quick liaison. Thanks for the effort, without liaison, I would 
have to head home. (Sorry, I have NO other "reason" for a cell 
phone!!!)

  At my second stop (232km) I was able to work Sisseton on SSB (first 
stop CW only, I was able to copy ZQ easly at the first location on 
SSB, but he could not hear me.) We had signals as strong as S9 and 
... easy 10Ghz Qs the rest of the day. I was happy to work Dennis in a 
new grid EN16, as I did for one of the Sisseton gang (Lenny??)  I was 
a BIT uncomfortable working from the first EN16 location, as it was an 
approach for the I29 overpass just north of Fargo. ARGH ....  Highway 
81 between GrandForks and Fargo had some GREAT locations on it 
for NT0V and Sisseton.

  At the next to the last stop (EN16mt SW of Fargo 10miles) I took off 
my insulated jacket for the first time during the entire weekend! Even 
saw the sun for about 5 min.  Gene W0ZOK drove out to the section 
road where I was setup at and he visited with W0ZQ via 10ghz. Gene 
was very "impressed". Dennis NT0V hopes he might be able to 
interest Gene in joining the 10Ghz fun.  I had a total of 52 contacts on 
Sunday.

  19 different loactions were activated in the two days, a few for just a 
Q in one direction. Lots of fun, just wish conditions would have been 
better Saturday and Wally could have been roving with me Sunday.

  This cumulative was my/our(Wally) first 10Ghz rover experence. I'm 
pleased with the 27,831 total points scored and allowing the fellows in 
the northern RRV to participate. With a total of over 1360miles driven, 
it is "highway intensive". What will I do next year??? NO IDEA ...

  Mobile Radio allowed easy and EXCELLENT preplanning for these 
roves.

  2005 10Ghz Cumulative --

                          153 contacts, 14 unique calls and 27,831 total points

  Thanks Guys .... 73

See Ya on 10Ghz rainscatter....  Bill  K0AWU  EN37ed