06/18/2006 | K9AKS Saturday was a great day on six meters; but otherwise conditions were at or below normal. Nonetheless I was able to better my previous high score in QRP Single Op Portable. I set up in a parking lot near Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, MI in EN62. Because I had a good shot directly across the lake, signals were strong from Chicago and Milwaukee. However, unlike the hills from which I usually operate, this site was not particularly good for longer distances (except for Es). QSOs on two meters and above in the 300+ mile range were few and far between. I did manage to work K8GP on 2 and 222, and heard them quite a bit on both afternoons.

I used an IC 746 and FT 736R, held to ten watts, on 6, 2, 222, 432, and 1296. Had to tear down Saturday night and set up again on Sunday morning, so I missed some significant times on the band. -- K9AKS