[NLRS] Contest weekend at WA2FGK

[Herb Krumich]

It was a very strange weekend here in the Pocono's of Pa. The contest was very flat through the entire first day. It was amazing to watch the blood red conditions in Europe on DX Sherlock.
On Sunday I was up at 5:30 local to try digital rocks around 50.260. I easily worked a few guys in new grids, but activity was bleak. When I moved to 144 mhz, activity was non existent until around 7:30 local. I switched back to 50 mhz and was working stations at a very slow pace. 
At 11 am local Sunday I worked my first DX station. A new country of Gambia. 
As noon approached, I was working station in W4 - W5 - W9 and Wzero land. A steady pace but for use not overwhelming. I never had one area blasting in. Signals were popping in and out like scatter. 
Later in the afternoon I had my antenna west and was working a few W6's on weak signal CW. Between several contacts with the antenna west, I had a EA8 call me, then back to the west coast for a few more. The Canary Island station was the only station I worked close to Europe except for the Azores.
With six meters popping in and out, it left me very little time to work 144 mhz. I am amazed how many people that operate 50 mhz today, do not have 144 mhz. Any station within 200 miles, I always ask if they can switch bands. Most said "NO 144 mhz-Sorry".
Even though I worked a few stations in Calif, I never heard a W7 station.
Final tallies
50 - 337/127
144 - 102/35  =  87,642
Well that's it from Bear Creek, Pa
We are now working on the 12 foot dish for EME on 1296 and 2304. The feed point will be completed this week, and it's a project that is now full tilt.
We have about 500 watts on 1296 and 200 on 2304. Looking forward to having fun while the snow flies
Good luck to all and will see you guys in future activities
73's Herb
Station mgr for the WA2FGK station