Well, things are almost ready for the contest this weekend.
I am going to set up my antennas in the bed of my pickup truck on a rotator
and 3 section telescoping mast. I started working on the base this afternoon
and got most of it built. Tomorrow Ill finnish the rest of it. The rotator
bracket will be anchored in place with tie-down straps (ratchets, not cams) so
it should be pretty stable. If I can figure out how to support the bracket
with some 2x4's, and if I have enough, then Ill do that in addition to the tie
downs.
Ill be running on 3 band - 50, 144, and 432. 100w 50/144 and 50w 432. The
antennas are 21 elements on 432, 13 on 144, and 5 on 50. Each antenna will be
mounted to the top of a telescoping mast section (432 on top, 50 on bottom).
That way, when on the road, all the antennas are low and close together. Then
when I get to my operating position I can extend the mast up and separate the
antennas.
I think I am going to have to go to a different location in EM79 (good
elevation though, no worries on RF) than I wanted. I havent recieved a
confirmation from the place on whether or not they will allow me to operate
from there. So, the location I will probably operate from is at the corner of
725 and Loop rd in Centerville. There is a movie theatre up next to the
highway there, Ill park in a back space somewhere (although it will be a
friday night.. didnt think about that before, they might be busy). The
visibility is good.
My EM89 location is a baseball park about a mile sw of South Charleston on
Rt. 42. The elevation there is roughly 1100' but is fairly flat. The elevation
goes up in one direction a little bit, but at a shallow angle. The location is
pretty good.
In EN80 Ill be operating from my buddy's new QTH. It is about a 1/2 mile
south of Milford Center, off of rt. 4.
I hope to hear and work everyone in the contest! Lets hope propogation is
good. I know Es is done for the year, so maybe we'll get some good ducting or
aurora that we can work!
Steve, KC8QVO
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