[SCCC] N6MI CQP 2025 report from DM15aa

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

K6VCR, N7DA, and KI6RXX were not able to join me, due to family and work commitments. So, on October 4-5, 2025, I operated solo in the California QSO Party.

I camped in the N6MI converted television news van on a small hill in the Mojave Desert, in DM15aa, between the towns of Mojave and California City. I had nice slope down toward the north and east, but the land rose a bit to my northwest.

I ran 600 watts to a JK tri-band yagi at 60 feet (two elements per band), along with a 40 meter inverted vee. I did not raise the 80 meter antenna. I used a Yaesu FTdx101D and an ACOM A600S amplifier. I built the yagi on the roof (in 50 MPH winds), then raised the pneumatic mast to 60 feet. (No outriggers required.)

The super moon was awesome; I did not need a flashlight during the early evening. Once the moon set, the stars were very bright. The temperature dropped down to 50 degrees late at night, but the days were pleasant (about 79 degrees). The winds died down completely on Saturday and Sunday.

Before the contest began, I worked W6PNG (SOTA operator) on CW near Mammoth Lakes. Paul is new to this mode, but his “fist” was just fine.

I made 1,455 contacts: 40 CW (89 contacts); 40 LSB (29 contacts); 14 CW (207 contacts), 14 USB (135 contacts); 21 CW (251 contacts); 21 USB (205 contacts); 28 CW (214 contacts); 28 USB (315 contacts). Thanks for the QSOs.


73,


N6MI

J. Scott Bovitz

bovitz at bovitz.com