I've been looking forward to FYBO since it was announced. Sounded like a
great idea, but I also agreed to handle some packet messages for a local
emergency drill in the afternoon. And I'm fighting off a cold. Well,
nothing to stop me from setting up my camp station in the backyard.
So, I rummaged through my wire antennas and found a 20m folded dipole. Its
short and would be easy to get up, and my only "contest qualified" QRP rig
is a 20m Explorer anyhow. I have a 30m Explorer II as well, but no good for
the tests. And I didn't expect much SSB action, ruling out the Cascade.
(Well, I do have a 49er, too...)
Temperature was hovering around 30 and looking good for a decent multiplier.
Battery was charged and ready. So, just had to untangle the fishing line on
the ends of the dipole, about a 20 minute job, and hoist it into the air.
Finished up about 1710 or so. Packet activity was scheduled to begin around
3:00CST so I had a few hours.
It was great to hear so much activity for a new contest. I was in and out,
working for a period, then warming up my herb tea, eating lunch, etc.
Talked briefly on the phone with Dave, KG0ZT, who was playing the contest on
40m across town. The temperature seemed to settle right around 28F. Got as
high as 31 and as low as 27. Darn - didn't make the x6 multiplier! (It was
6F this morning.)
At 3:00, I was busy finding "just one more" before I would head in and
switch the packet over from APRS to the freq used for the drill. Finally
broke myself away, contacted the packet station at the drill and learned
that they weren't really ready for me yet. Great! Knew I left the power on
to the Explorer for a reason. Found Dave on 20 to get me Minnesota. Hm -
what's this white stuff collecting on my gear? And why am I shivering?
Looks like it's time to pull the plug.
I never heard any lower temps than my 27, but I figure someone must have
seen lower, especially after sunset. Still, it was lots of fun and great to
hear calls I recognize like NA5N and K4BP. It was a good idea and thanks to
the AZ group for taking it on and making it happen!
Final tally was 27 Q's and 16 states. With multipliers, I get 14,720
points. Still not in the big leagues, but at least it sounds impressive!
72.
Tony Drumm
ARS AA0SM - Rochester, MN
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