[SCCC] N6MI/K6VCR adventure in June VHF contest

[J. Scott Bovitz <bovitz@bovitz.com>]

On June 8 and 9, 2024, Scott (N6MI) and Tom (K6VCR) operated in the ARRL June VHF Contest from Frazier Peak, Ventura County, California (in the Los Padres National Forest). We camped in a converted television news van (n6mi.com) and Tom's tricked out off-road truck at 8,013 feet elevation (near the forest service sign on the peak). 

The weather was nice during the day (in the 70s) and cool at night (around 55 degrees). The ladybugs were everywhere.

Radio conditions were poor. We used a Yaesu FTdx101D on 6 meters and an Icom-9700 on 2, 432, and 1296. We also used a Kenwood handheld on 223.5 FM. We mounted: a five element yagi at 60 feet on six meters; a 13 element yagi at 20 feet on two meters; an 11 element yagi at 10 feet on 223.5; an 18 element yagi at 15 feet on 432; and a 22 element yagi at ten feet on 1296.

Before log checking, we made 258 contacts and logged 76 grids: 138 contacts and 35 grids on six meters; 72 contacts and 17 grids on two meters; 4 contacts and 3 grids on 223.5; 37 contacts and 15 grids on 432; and 7 contacts and 6 grids on 1296. This gave us a raw score of 23,788.

We gave a tour of the ham radio van to a number of visitors, including one SOTA ham radio operator.

Thank you for the contacts.

Next up...

I will look for you during Field Day. The low band conditions in May were super.

73,
J. Scott Bovitz
N6MI