[SixClub] 6 Meters Mobile

[Buck]

Two days ago, I trimmed a 102 steel whip to 57 inches and mounted it on a
ball mount on the side of my mini-van.  (I am amazed at how many hams told
me I needed to trim it to the FM portion of the band and work there since it
has vertical polarization.)  

Saturday was mostly a wash.  I heard very little and talked mostly to local
hams.  However, Saturday evening, I had a 57/57 QSO with a MN ham, the first
DX contact on that setup.  Band conditions were crappy compared to the
previous two weeks.  However, yesterday, Sunday, opened up pretty well.  I
mostly had to stay indoors and work, but when I was out, I was pretty much
able to QSO whomever I could hear.

I have learned, that with my particular setup, unless I have at least one
bar on the s-meter (I have an IC-706 MKII) don't bother returning to the
station unless he is /QRP.  Generally, anything less means if I have a
slight curve in the road, I'll lose the contact altogether.  

I usually keep either a 40 or 20 meter whip on my car, but with the nature
of my job (lots of very short local trips), 6 meters seems to be a better
choice of bands as most QSOs are kept to brief exchanges.  

Today I'll be putting a log-book in my car so I can record the QSOs.  I was
a little apprehensive about making too many contacts without logging them.  

I also learned to tune around when the band is 'dead'.  I used to keep it on
.125 and listen for openings, but I found that when I tune around, I can
hear numerous QSOs going on even when .125 is vacant, or more accurately,
silent.  

Speaking of which, I found that the locals, in particular, are good for
either keeping QSOs on .125 very short or quickly moving up in frequency.

I don't have a base antenna yet. I am in a restricted neighborhood so I will
have to make one and put it in the attic when I have time.  In the meantime,
I'll be operating mobile.  

BTW, how do mobile travelers keep up with what grid they are in when taking
a trip?  It is easy to know what county I am in at any given time, but not
what grid.

Look for me in EM95.

73 for now
Buck
N4PGW
  

-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.3/350 - Release Date: 5/28/2006