[SixClub] back from the trip.

[Zeb Palmer - KD7EVS]

Wow, what a trip.  Just got back from Iowa by way of Denver. (driving)
 Didn't get to do a lot of operating but at least some. Made a few contacts
in Iowa... only dx was W0IJR.  

Yesterday I was in Rocky Mountain National Park. Was on the air for about an
hour (seriously that is, was listening mobile a bit too).    I had a New
Diamond 6m Yagi I wanted to try out on my 20-30 foot semi-portable mast.
I'll post the full details along with photos on my website in the next day
or so. But to sum it up. 

  12,130 feet above sea level 
+ 35 degrees 
+ 35mph steady winds
+ measured gusts at 50+ mph
+ New Yagi
+ 20 foot mast 
+ FT-857
= FUN!

Mainly I'm amazed my mast was able to stand up to steady winds of 35 mph
Good thing I remembered the guy wires I rarely use! 

Made several contacts in between using the Armstrong rotor. (and warming the
arm back up).  

My log is out in the truck still but about 10 contacts about half an hour of
actual on air operating. (high altitude, lack of oxygen, cold, can't talk
too fast or you'll get out of breath ;) 

Made a couple stations in OK and a lot in California.  I had about 270
degree clear with only one higher mountain blocking most RF I threw toward
the North eastern US. 

Then of course my wife reminded me that I still had to drive back to Idaho
the same day... so I had to take down the Yagi in the wind.  (oddly enough
the excitement of putting an antenna up makes you think it's not as cold and
windy as it really is.   This goes away with the disappointment of taking
one down.)

My wife got a couple of good pictures, I'll post a short note once I recover
(read... after this coming contest) when my pictures are online along with
the story. 

Seven three to all
Especially all those that gave me the warm fuzzy pile-up feeling yesterday. 

- KD7EVS DN13 (yesterday DN70)