[PaQSO] Bradford County day trip (Longish)

[Bob Nygren]

    The week prior to the Party, I carefully watched the weather
forecast. By Thursday, I knew for sure that I could not lock myself in
the shack for the entire weekend.
    Friday after work, I started throwing stuff in the truck.  The
IC-706 is already semi permanently affixed. I packed a 40 meter Zepp and
a DK9SQ vertical loop. For power a marine battery was included, just in
case I didn't have to sit in the truck. A 7 Ah gel cell for the
computer, should last the two or three hours I had planned on being
there. A trusty fishin' pole, couple of sinkers, a copy of  the rules
and a sandwich...Hmmm did I forget anything??
    I had a site in Bradford county in mind. Because of a "Long cut" on
the way up, I didn't arrive on site until well after eleven AM.
    Fortunately, there were no tourists around when I went fishin' for
trees. The 40 meter antenna went up easily. But by the time I got
everything else ready, it was too close to noon to put up the vertical
loop.
        I started the Party working up and down 40 phone. After a while
I found a spot and was able to run for a while. (It's nice to see the
rate up around 100 per hour!!!) Then it was down to CW. Having reviewed
the results for the past few years, I really wanted to give the CW only
guys a shot at a sweep.
    When the rate on 40 dropped off, I loaded the Zepp up on 20 meters
No luck on SSB, but 60 folks made it into the log on CW. A lot of DX was
worked!!
    Of course, my plan to stay two or three hours was well exceeded. The
sun was setting. Hmmmm, "How much longer can I stay and still tear
down?" Just then, the computer died. Remember that gel cell that was to
last two to three hours?
    I moved quickly to tear down. I did stop to enjoy the sunset which
was truly magnificent! A two hour drive up, an hour set-up, six hours of
operation, twenty minutes to break down and two hours back home. The
Party and the sunset, Priceless!
    300 or so Qso's, half phone, half CW were logged.
    I know now, that another station was on from Bradford. But that's
OK. Between us, I'm sure no one lacked Bradford county.
    Yes, I would do it again!

73,     Bob N3RN