[SCCC] September VHF N6GP/R Limited Rover LP

[Tim Goeppinger]

Call: N6GP/R
Operator(s): N6GP
Station: N6GP/R

Class: Limited Rover LP
QTH: LAX
Operating Time (hrs): 11

Summary:  
Band	QSOs	Mults
6:	         72	         24
2:	         24	           8
222:	         20	           4
432:	         16	           4
903:		
1.2:		
2.3:		
3.4:		
5.7:		
10G:		
24G:		
Total:	142	44	Total Score	7,832

Club: Southern California Contest Club

Comments:    
I called ahead at the base of the mountains to make sure the Keller Peak Fire Lookout was open, and it was.  I was elated to make it all the way to the top, past the gate that had been locked during June VHF.  They told me it had been still closed in June due to winter storm damage.  I had a little time to tour the fire lookout.  The volunteer there actually invited me to operate from the lookout, but I was not prepared to climb the narrow stairs with my gear. Fantastic location, but blocked to the east by San Bernardino Peak.
What a surprise to have an Es opening in September!  3 of them in fact.  To me, this was like a second running of June VHF for 2019.  Fantastic opening to Texas and Lousiana.  Keller peak yielded some extra mults, which was my intention.  I got W7OJT on both 2 and 6. Also worked David N7RK in DM33 on 2m, plus a DM05, giving me my most ever mults on 2.  I stayed there over 3 hours, which was maybe too much.  
Went down to Diamond Bar for DM13 and got in on the 2nd Es opening on 6, mainly to W0 land, and as far as northern Michigan!  Not much activity on the higher bands from the locals. Got kicked out of the park at 8PM local.
Got on Signal Hill Sunday morning for DM03, and worked a lot of locals, plus W7MEM.   Hindsight being 20/20, I should have gone to Huntington Beach just over the line to DM13 to work the locals, because the activity was still high at that point.
Instead, I chose to go to the Santa Monica Mountains for DM04.  Google directions sent me to the wrong spot for Saddle Peak, and I had to go back down, and up the other side. When I finally got to that intersection of Stunt Rd and Saddle Peak, the local activity had died out to almost nothing. All that driving time for 15 QSOs!
I decided to re-visit Diamond bar for the close of the contest. Good activity at the end of the contest, including FM.  Got in on the Es opening to Oregon.
Made 49 FT8 QSOs vs 93 on phone (ssb + FM).  Again FT4 not a factor.
Q's by Grid"
DM03  41
DM04  15
DM13  44
DM14  42
Next year I need to increase operating time, and reduce driving time. My personal best score for Sept, but just shy of last year's record for QSOs.
Much less FM activity this year.   Thanks to WA6MHZ (DM12) for trying for a contact on 222, but we didn't make it.  I should have moved bands with
XE2CQ to 70cm when he offered.  Missed that one too.
Thanks for the Q's
Tim N6GP/R