Well, we are going to be leaving for EN39 a day early - thursday afternoon
instead of friday. This will put us up there friday afternoon/evening - it
depends on how much we stop. If I get my antennas and masts together fairly
quickly I could have everything up and running saturday. I will be able to get
on HF and 6m at least on saturday with my screwdriver antenna. The beams are
going to be interesting to raise and might take a bit of time to figure out
how to get those up. I have it all planned out in my head, but I wont know
exactly how it will go until I get there.
As of right now, chances are that Ill only be there a week. My operating
will be from Saturday, July 14 to Friday, July 20th. There still is a chance I
could be there longer, though.
My main antennas are going to be the beams for the VHF+ stuff. Then, I am
going to have a 1/4w vertical for 40 instead of a wire or ladder line fed vert
(multiband). This should get me a pretty big signal on the band - an
efficient, low angle of radiation antenna with enough high angle to still
catch some closer people (just not right next to me HI). For the higher bands
I think Ill just use my screwdriver antenna. 40 should be as low as I go. The
screwdriver, with an 8.5' whip instead, will be pretty efficient on 20+. I can
get 40 on it too, so I can switch between the two on 40 - maybe one will favor
a specific area better than the other (screwdriver closer in, maybe?).
I will use 40 as my primary contact band. Lets set 7.280-7.300 as the range
that I will be in, or close to - its hard to tell if Ill be able to slip in
there or not without being on at that time yet HI. I have other frequencies
posted on QRZ, so if band conditions shift or someone is having a hard time
contacting me we can shift around if we need to. I want to be as avalible and
easy to get as I can - I enjoy making the contacts and Ill only be up there
for a limted about of time. Even less of that will be operating (due to other
activities). So I need to make the most of my operating time. Lets just hope
the bands open up for us!
So far there has been quite a bit of activity on 6m. I have been watching
the VHFDX maps recently. Just about every day shows some Es openings and
multi-hops across the pond. When 6 opens it looks like a satellite view of NYC
streets hehehe - red lines everywhere.
Well, on to more packing and getting ready for the trip. I will post on here
a last minute update with any changes/updates before I leave.
Steve, KC8QVO
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