[NLRS] K0MHC 10 GHz - weekend results in SD and MN

[Jim Froemke]

This was another propagation and distance test. 

-        On Friday afternoon I was able to scout some of the potential
operating site near Sisseton, SD. Not all of the DeLorme Topo and Google
Earth sites were usable!

-        On Saturday, I started at EN15ll03 which is about 13 miles NW and
300 ft. higher than the main site EN15lj at the I29 exit 213 rest stop.
K0AWU (376km), W0PHD 376km), VE4MA (491km) and NT0V (349km) were all good
signals. Buck Hill (EN34ir) was busy at this time so I moved down to the
rest stop and set-up for the day. Both NT0V (356km) and VE4MA (500km) were
worked again but with weaker signals from this lower and more distant site.
>From this location K0KFC (352km), Buck Hill (305km), K0AWU/W0PHD rovers (six
times, 297 - 366km) and the SW MN rover pack (twice) were worked before I
closed up and headed for the Twin Cities. In general the RRV seems to be a
good conduit for microwave contacts. 

-        On Sunday morning NT0V was not workable from the top of Buck Hill
so I moved down to join the Buck Hill gang for the day for 45 additional Qs.

 

Longest contacts: VE4MA @ 500 & 491 km

Most contacts: K0AWU&W0PHD RRV rovers

Missed opportunities: Couldn't hear K6STS; where were W7XU and N0QJM?

Problems: Intermittent DC connection (RCA plug), lost a 4-way power
connecter and I disconnected my mic. cable (accidently stepped on it).

Next time: Locate additional high operating sites west of Sisseton, SD. (I
drove through there again today and onto Pierre, SD. There are many
interesting hill sites out there!)

Thanks to everyone for the 80 - 10 GHz contacts during the 1st weekend. But,
I have a long way to go to match the 222 Qs from last year (total for both
weekends) before I leave for the 6 mr. BBQ in Austin.

 

73, Jim

K0MHC

Alexandria, MN