10/12/2005 | KB8VAO The first weekend of the contest, AD6IW / Goran and I operated from Mt. Lassen (CN90fl), Mt. Shasta (CN81vi), and Mt. Diablo (CM97av).

I worked a few stations from Mt. Lassen, but kept getting reports of a very weak signal. I checked all the connectors and the relay, but still less than 1 mw output.

Thanks to the ops that stuck with me during the first weekend, your pre-amps were really put to the test.

The highlight of the weekend was working AA6HA / John at 343 km with my broken transverter!

Sunday I joined K6MGM / Dennis, W6GDM / Dave, and AD6IW / Goran on Mt. Diablo.

Later the next week Goran tracked down the problem with my transverter... a capacitor with a bad solder connection.

All that bouncing around on mountain roads took it's toll on the transverter.

With a new 75 cm offset dish and pre-amp for 10 GHz, I was ready for the second weekend. Goran and I set out for the Sierra's.

We went to Devil Peak (DM07dm), a phenomenal site at 7,000 feet elevation and clean shots in most directions!

We set up and listened to the Mt. Vaca and Mt. Frazier beacons pounding in.

Things started out very slow on Saturday but the pace quickened on Sunday.

Late Saturday night I was joined by W6BY / Brian.

Activity on the higher bands was the best I've ever heard, with 15 QSO's on 24 GHz, and 4 QSO's on 47 GHz.

The highlights of the weekend were working W6ASL / Jim by bouncing signals off of Mt. Diablo, and working K7XQ / Jeff for his first 10 GHz contact!

Best DX:

10 GHz - WA6CGR - 436 km

24 GHz - AD6FP - 313 km

47 GHz - AA6IW & W6QI - 147 km

* (AD6FP was heard on 47 GHz at 313 km, but no contact)

Thank You for the use of the Cactus Repeater System during the contest!

And last but not least, Thank You to all the rovers, I know it was especially painful this year with these gas prices.

73
Steve -- KB8VAO