[NLRS] It's not just about the score; June VHF Test (short version)

[Jim Froemke]

We left instant gratification behind when we moved off of HF & repeaters.
It's difficult for some of us to reset our expectations for operating weak
signals on the VHF/UHF bands where you usually have to really work for many
of the contacts. Heck, I still buy frozen walleye from the grocery store so,
what can I say. While there's only one 1st place in every contest category,
everyone's a winner when they work new grids on difficult bands under
challenging conditions. 

Talk about level of activity, the upper Midwest is doing much better than
many areas of the county who would be in hog heaven with the level of
activity represented here: http://vhf-activity.blogspot.com/

The level of participation (as indicated on the VHF contest spreadsheet) for
fixed stations (62) *EXCEDEED* both 2011 and 2012! Rover stations (13) was
up from 2012 and equal to 2011 so, you're making good progress!
http://tiny.cc/e1kexw

 

K0MHC/Rover brief summary:

-        Rover category (4 bands, high power)

-        8 grids activated (EN24, 25, 26, 27 & 28; EN14, 15, 16, 17 & 18)

-        4 bands operational (OK, my 6 meter amp stopped working so I was
down 6 dB by running 100W barefoot)

-        158 contacts

Highlights:

-        Eyeball with Matt & Dave K0BBC/rover team at I29, exit 213 rest
stop. They've got a good rover set-up and I expect to hear a lot from them
in the future!

-        Good 6 meter band opening on Sunday afternoon mostly while I was
driving south on I29 in ND & SD. while working many of my fellow RMG members
near Austin, TX

-        NT0V, W0GHZ & K0AWU seemed to be strong throughout all of the grids

-        Yes, the Canadian stations (led by VE4MA) were very active

-        Great operating vistas on I29 (overpass and rest areas)

-        New configuration of horz. stacked 432 Yagis worked well

Lowlights:

-        6 meter amplifier failure (worked fine at home?)

-        Spending time scouting rather than operating in new grids

-        Getting soaked in the rain setting-up near Fargo (the downfall of
external, push-up masts)

-        Had to retire early at Crookston, MN due to car turn and brake
lights not working

-        Had to skip last 4 grid locations (near Winsted) due to car
battery/generator problem

Then there's the small matter of the "Dunk the Rover" challenge. This ritual
will be performed into the 55 degree (F) lake this afternoon.

Sorry that I may have missed many of you but, there's always next time. Keep
up the VHF activity!

73, Jim

K0MHC/Rover

Lake Miltona, MN 

Kerrville, TX