Hi all,
I have the opportunity to be at the top of Mt. Kobau, DN09EB, 6100 ft
ASL for the last 4-5 hours of the CQWW VHF contest. Well, maybe the
mountain top isn't EB, that's the turn-off point on the highway.
The setup would consist of a 706 MkII along with an old Hy-Gain DB62
yagi on an AlfaSPID rotor on the end of 10 ft of conduit stuck into a
patio umbrella base and guyed with rope. Hy-Gain claims 8 dB gain on 6
and 15 dB on 2. dB compared to what they don't say. Maybe I can
scrounge a laptop for logging and automatic endless cqing.
The location provides a fabulous shot south with a rapid drop-off of a
few thousand ft. East isn't good at all as the actual top of the
mountain is in the way and can't get the car up there. SE might be OK.
West is pretty good for drop-off. North is open and flat but no
drop-off for a half mile or so.
I am a VHF newbie. I got the gear described above just before Field Day.
I have figured out how to use repeaters.
I think I have packet sorted out but have some technical problems not
yet fixed.
I have made 1 6m SSB contact in my life
I have made 1 2m SSB contact in my life.
I have 2 questions. #2 has many parts.
1. Is it worth the trouble or, alternatively, can you make a guess as
to how many Qs I might make? I do have contest experience and even a
little wallpaper. The trouble will be described below.
2. Can you give me some strategy pointers? (I have read the rules.)
e.g.
a) If I'm going to call CQ, is there any particular frequency that
would be best for CW/SSB/6/2?
b) What range of frequencies should I be tuning for these bands/modes?
c) How should I split my time between 6 & 2?
d) How do I minimize the likelihood of missing some great opening on 6?
e) Is DN09 a rare grid square?
f) Any other pointers you can give?
Here's what I have to do to make this happen.
1. Take the beam down from the flat roof, partially disassemble it, get
the materials for and make a storage device to transport it on the roof
rack, install the 706 in the car, put all the other stuff in or on the
car. 6 hours (ever the optimist)
2. Drive to the top of the mountain from Osoyoos. 1 hour
3. Reassemble the beam and set everything up. 1.5 hours
4. Disassemble the beam and throw everything in or on the car. 1.5 hours
5. Drive back to Osoyoos. 1 hour
Total time if everything goes well, 11 hours work to do max 4 hours of
contesting. Hey, that's way better than what it usually takes to set up
a modest contest station. Not too good though if I only make 10 Qs.
Maybe after the contest I could put a mobile whip in place of the Yagi
and do some HF mountain topping.
So, whaddya think? Should I do it? I will take a lack of replies as a
message that I shouldn't.
73 de Jim Smith VE7FO
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