[Wswss] 2M Spring Sprint Heartache

[Les Rayburn]

This year's edition of the 2 Meter Spring Sprint was a disaster for myself. 
I had planned to try  my hand at roving for the first time, and had prepared 
my 2005 Chevy Colorado pickup for the effort.

Some background on this truck, it was designed from the ground up for 
responding to hurricanes and other disaster sites. We use it professionally, 
and it's been through some of the worse you can imagine. Six weeks in 
Katrina and Rita, wildfires, Ike, Gustav, etc. It's well maintained, and 
well equipped with HF/VHF/UHF radios. All I really needed to do was add a 
push up mast, and 2 Meter beam for the effort.

Alas, Murphy struck, and the transmission began acting up over the weekend. 
A quick stop at the shop on Monday morning resulted in a phone call 
informing me that it would be out of action for at least three days! 
AhhHH!!!!

To make matters worse, I had removed my 2 Meter beam from the home station, 
planning to use it on the truck. I had been promised delivery of a shiny new 
2 Meter antenna (which I ordered last summer!) but it never arrived. So 
there I was on Monday morning, with a push up mast, a disassembled antenna, 
and no truck.

Throughout the day, I potted how I'd leave a bit early, put up the old 
antenna at the home station, and make a few Q's that evening. Then Murphy 
struck for the final time. The boss strolled into my office and said that he 
wanted to have a dinner meeting to discuss a new business pitch. With the 
state of the economy, saying "no" to the boss didn't seem like a good idea.

Long story, short-go home at 8:30PM, stared at the antenna, push mast, just 
wanted to cry.

Ah, well---June is coming soon. So I'll focus on that. Not sure if I want to 
try a rove in a major contest, so maybe I'll opt for the 432 Spring Sprint 
instead. Haven't got a spare Yagi for 222, so that one's out. Will do it 
from the home station! Hope to see you all on 222!

73,






Les Rayburn, N1LF
EM63nf
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114