09/19/2005 | W1AUV Another great contest. The first weekend was good. Some of the highlights were working K2TXB from Equinox and rain scatter QSOs with AF1T and W1MKY on Block Island and a nice one with KA1OJ. The weather on Equinox was really cold and windy; normal. The next day I was on Greylock and that is always good.

The second weekend started off just OK. We were in FN22 and I didn't make nearly the number of contacts I did last year. We did manage quite a few. On the way back home we found a spot to work the island people but couldn't find them. I did find Russ again, K2TXB. I didn't have a clear shot but, thanks to Russ and the weather, we worked rain scatter. One heck of a great contact with just 200 mW. Thanks Russ.

The last day of the contest, Sunday, we were on Wachusett. This was my first time and I wasn't disappointed: Eight contacts in just the first 30 minutes. There was never a dull moment. I was sorry I didn't make the contact with VE2JWH. Jimmy and I tried very hard. Next year I will try to have more power and maybe we'll make it.

On the way home we worked AF1T, NS1O and W1MKY on the island from the scenic overlook on I-91 near Holyoke. We also snagged W1PM. Thanks to him for hanging in there! We wanted to try a spot near home to work AF1T and company one last time so we headed home. We set up on the side of the road by moon-light. I was barely able to read the compass. NS1O sent dashed and I heard him fine but, I realized that we were aiming right at October mountain. We had no horizon in their direction and in fact, had all mountain. I'm guessing we were using knife-edge diffraction. NS1O heard me and so did Dale, AF1T. I figured I could always tell them later about what a miracle it was. They said I was very weak but, we did it! I was too weak for W1MKY though. Sorry.

I didn't hear Paul, W1GHZ and company which was too bad. I may have had a better shot at them. My last QSO was with K1TEO. A nice way to finish the contest. Now at least I know where 176 degrees is in that field where we were. Next time Jeff, it will be easier.

The funny thing about those last few contacts was that everything started to die. The Visor I used for BD was almost completely dead and so I was getting the coordinates and shutting it down fast and hoping it wouldn't die; the charger was home. The 10 Gig rig PTT connector moved and the only way we could get it to key the transverter was to press on the connector and send CW with the other trying hard not to move the dish in the process. I guess we slid in just under the wire.

Now I have to start to put everything back together and try and plan out what to do about an amplifier. I have a lot to do for my rover station too. I guess that's what winter is for in the Northeast.

Thanks to everyone who worked me and for everyone who worked hard trying.

73
Tommy -- W1AUV