well I sure was looking forward to having a good time at this year's FD
event. but, ended up with the FD from HELL!
1. No antennas. we were on a very, very restricted lot at a camp site. so
only mobile antennas were allowed
2. Bands sucked.
3. Upgraded my Ten Tec Argonaut V to newest firmware the night before the
trip. Took the radio out, hooked up everything and whoa! NO transmit..
Drawing current, but nothing out the antenna. One very kaput Ten Tec
Argonaut V. (yes! did the master reset several times!) Radio heading back to
Ten Tec for repair
4. Took out back up radio. One very new Icom 703 QRP rig. Hooked up
everything and WHOA! It won't can't change frequency with the main tuning
knob. Messed with it, talked mean to it and at last got it to tune. Then the
internal keyer died. Then the tuning problem came back.. Radio heading back
to Icom for repair. ( by the way, Icom has acknowledge there is a problem
with the internal keyer but does not offer a fix yet)
5. Overall FD results?
Killed two rig, made 7 CW contacts and one SSB contact.
cant' wait for next year!
Mike Bryce, WB8VGE
SunLight Energy Systems
http://www.seslogic.com
http://www.theheathkitshop.com
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