[NLRS] K0AWU + W0PHD 10GHz rove

[Bill Davis]

  A few comments after ZQs post. We saw only "average" conditions over the weekend.We had a 15mph or so wind all day that helped with comfort, but enough that batteries were used for ballast. I can't say that I observed ANY morning tropo enhancement, propagation stayed pretty much the same all day long. On Saturday, I had 10 locations activated of which 6 Wally participated. Wally headed off toward home as we tore down from EN18mq just before 4pm. Saturday with Jim K0MHC we had QSOs at distances of: 306, 297, 320, 334, 352 and 366 km. Only one of these was SSB all the rest CW with 5-1 to 5-2 signals at my end. So 366km was our best distance for the rove. Wally generally hears better than my system, for what ever reason, and he would report better signal levels. We started Saturday with our first QSO at 7:25am and my last QSO was 6:07pm as I headed off to overnight at NT0Vs QTH.

  The VE4 rovers VE4MO (Kirk) and VE4DDZ (Dan) were worked from 3 locations starting about noon Saturday. The longest QSO distance with them was 99km. All of their QSOs were SSB ranging from 5-4 to 5-9. While they were out we have the task of finding locations with no/or minimum obstructions in FOUR directions, which at times can even be tricky in the Red River Vally. Thanks Kirk and Dan for "coming out to play".


  Sunday morning was a solo rove as I headed back toward home from Devils Lake. The first location activated was EN08ub at 8:20am am around 1515ft elevation sevreal miles up a farm access road. GREAT horizon to the NE toward Barry 219km away. The farm country was so BEAUTIFUL and lush. They too are starting to need rain however. The wheat harvest was in full swing with lots of combine activity.


  Barry was worked SSB at all locations except one and Dennis was worked on CW at all locations but one. Dennis has a "growing tree" problem that is hampering 10GHz signals.

  Wally got out after church and lunch to worked me at my last two stops. This is the first time, that I recall, that I have had a chance to work Wally during the 2nd day of our roves. Good work Wally! Thanks.


  After arriving home Barry and I had a nice(392km)10GHz FM rainscatter QSO off of a big cell up on the border straight north. We had backscatter from this same system at the last 4 locations on the rove. One of those ended up being a FM QSO too.

  Gary W0GHZ and Glen KC0IYT were worked Sunday evening on SSB tropo both with S2 signals (249km and 261km) from the home system. 50 total QSOs


  Great fun .. 73  Bill  K0AWU