06/29/2005 | WA7JTM Operated the contest portable LMO from DM53 in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. Elevation ASL 9500+/- a few hundred feet. Operators were WA7JTM (pete), N7AMA (tom), WW7B (morgan), and K7TOP (barry). We were assisted by the faithful family pooch, moka (make that M0KA). She kept the bears away while we were Fly Fishing in the neighboring lakes and streams on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Weather conditions were a bit of a problem Saturday with gusty winds, rain, hail, and lightning in the afternoon. We risked life-and-limb to stay on the air during the lightning storm which coincided with the big 6m opening. Sunday was sunny and warm...a great day for a cold 807 and that beer can verticle ...

This year we operated on 6-1296 (no 902). Bands were much better than last year, but just like last year Saturday was really good and Sunday was the absolute pits. The great 6m opening Saturday was negated by the fact that absolutely nothing happening on SIX Sunday. Spent Sunday drinking heavily and scrounging up a few local contacts here and there.

Overall we did much better than last year on all bands, had lots of fun, and plan to do the whole darn thing over and over again until we get it right. Maybe 2006 will bring us a 6m opening on both Saturday and Sunday...now that would be a real contest!

73
Pete/DM53 -- WA7JTM