01/23/2006 | K0NR For the fourth year in a row, I did a backpack QRP portable operation from one of the local mountaintops, Mt Herman (DM79mb). This year the trail was covered by 6 inches of snow which made for some slow going up the mountain. It also supplied a very pristine and scenic backcountry experience in the Pike National Forest.

My main rig was the FT-817 driving a dipole on 6M and a SOTA beam on 2 meters. 70 cm operation was limited to a BNC vertical antenna. A dualband HT was used to pick up a few contacts on 2M / 70 cm FM. My 222 MHz FM also netted a few contacts.

I only operated Saturday afternoon and made about 50 contacts with a score not quite as good as last year. It was a great day to be in the mountains.

VHF QRP enthusiasts, check out the Yahoo! Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vhfqrp/

More info on the contest operation on my blog: http://k0nr.blogspot.com/2006/01/2006-january-vhf-sweepstakes.html

73, Bob K0NR -- K0NR