Hi All...
I had planned on going rovering up to the north GA/NC mountains for the VHF
contest. K9NW was thinking of coming down to GA and we were going to go out on
a mountain somewhere but that fell through. K4BAI was also interested but he
has been getting over a cold and he can't make it either. I had also talked to
AA4GA, but he has to work... Oh well ...
I have been doing some research on antennas and the most popular choice out
there , for rovering , seem to be halo loops - either a single one per band or
stacked. I had been planning on maybe stopping at HRO on our way and picking
one of these up for both 2 and 432. Problem is that the M2 version doesn't seem
to have a good review. Those who have them have mentioned they get detuned when
it rains. Also,they are not has well built as the KB6KQ loops. I was thinking
of building some but just don't have the time during the week.... I decided
just to hold off on buying these now and maybe order the KB6KQ loops and do it
right for next time.
I have decided to go with plan B.... Since moving to Georgia a couple years
ago we haven't had a chance to check out the Gulf coast of Florida, even though
it is just a few hours from the present QTH. I figure if 6 meters opens up - I
could really have some fun with a simple antenna. Plus , while I am playing
radio the family can have some fun at the beach !!!
The plan is to play around on 6 meters. I have a Hustler 6 meter whip that I
picked up last weekend at the Atlanta hamfest. I can use this when we are in
motion . I am also packing the DK9SQ mast with my full size 6 meter loop on it
and I can crank it up to 30 ft, when we stop somewhere. So I will have a "real"
antenna too. The rig will be the IC706MKIIG, running 100 watts.
We plan to depart sometime Saturday morning and will probably activate the
following grid squares - EM72, EM71, EM70, EM60 and EL79. N4PN's contest
station on St George Island is in EL79, but I am not sure if he does 6 meters.
Hopefully I can experience an 6 meter E's opening at its best. I have always
dreamed of being on the other end of one of those openings up north, which I
have in short spurts from the home QTH. I probably would be even better the
further south I go... HI...
73, Jeff KU8E
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