I had the privilege of operating /4 in the land of the Mandolins, Guitars,
etc part of last week. This included some playing in the Russian RTTY test.
This was a [XYL's] family reunion of sorts at a central location to the home
states of several of the families. I figured it would be an extra good time
if I brought my IC-706MKIIG and an antenna! I ended up with an inverted V
about 40M dipole length, fed with ladder line and supported by WeedEater
line. For the bored and/or my friends, I have a few photos:
1. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0025_IMG.JPG This
shows that I got some height on the apex, and also shows our "cabin" in the
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park (100 mi west of Nashville). It was
actually more like a brand new 2BR house with central air, satellite TV etc
etc! Great "state park" rates too.
2. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0027_IMG.JPG This
shows the view from the balcony. That's Kentucky Lake in the background.
Beautiful, but I wasn't thrilled when my kids told me how great the swimming
was - even with a few snakes! "They didn't bother us", they said.
3. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0029_IMG.JPG
Fishing was OK too - This shows one of my sisters-in-law with her catch.
4. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0013_IMG.JPG
KB9YTW - He doesn't get his interest in snakes from me, that's for sure!
5. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0057_IMG.JPG The
operating position.
6. http://members.tubesock.net/fleming/Tennessee2001/100-0056_IMG.JPG My
power source (poor focus/depth of field), but you get the idea. I might as
well have brought my Astron as far as weight, but it was fun to be
battery-powered, and I didn't know for sure where all I might be operating,
so better to BE PREPARED!
I worked a smattering of DX on 20M, including Morocco, and SP on 40M, so I
guess the "V" was OK. Also had some nice SSB Q's for fun!
Moral of the story - Next time you go somewhere - TAKE A RADIO and operate
RTTY! ;-) 73 - John
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