[SECC] 2004 ARRL Spring VHF Contest

[ku8e at bellsouth.net]

Jeff and others ...

 I have taken my IC706MKIIG to the top of Clingmans Dome, in the Smokey Mtns National Park, which is the 2nd highest mountain on the east coast of the US. I think it is something like 6500 ft high. This was during a family vacation and I was just using a 5/8th wave mobile whip and during a non-contest weekend.
There was no activity on 2 meter SSB or CW but I heard plenty of repeaters from all over the NC, TN and GA area. I checked higher in the band where the NWS stations are. I could hear the NWS broadcasts as far west as Nashville, up into NC and VA and as far south as Atlanta. I would think based on that 2 meters would be alot of fun. I also heard a 6 meter beacon in the Atlanta area - but I can't remember the call.....

I have always dreamed of going back there with some real antennas !!! I bet it would be fun.

BTW.. I always used to work AA4ZZ , who I think operates on a hill around Knoxville, in VHF contests from Ohio on both 6 and 2 meters....

              73 Jeff  KU8E


> 
> From: "Allan & Bridget" <dxcc at dbtech.net>
> Date: 2004/05/07 Fri PM 02:56:29 EDT
> To: <Ny4n at aol.com>,  <secc at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [SECC] 2004 ARRL Spring VHF Contest
> 
> Hi, Jeff!
> 
> Allan and I used to go mountain topping during the June VHF Contest all the
> time, and the elevation DOES do wonders for making contacts via line of
> sight, which is often the only mode of propagation available on a contest
> weekend, it seems.  Can't really give you any ideas in terms of where to
> try...we used to go to a spot on Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.
> We've also operated in the Smokey Mountains (the rangers weren't very
> friendly).
> 
> Have you mentioned this to K4FJW?  You probably get his VHF emails that he
> sends out...several of the guys that are on his list mountaintop, and they
> can tell you whether or not you'd be going where someone else has already
> planned to go or not, or where a good place to go might be.
> 
> Allan used to pore over topo maps.  =)
> 
> Tom Shutter's email address is k4fjw at bvunet.net just in case you don't know
> about the list.  He'll also by happy to announce your plans to others via
> the VHF/UHF email list (not a reflector).
> 
> KV4T, KF4DGS, and W4CCF will be operating from KF4DGS's station in EM 53 xj
> (using W4CCF's call).  Don't know if I'll be part of the team or not.  If
> not, I'll try to listen for you (as well as other VHF ops on this reflector)
> from our house (EM63gd).  I hope we'll have our 2m and 70cm antennas back up
> on our tower by then and that I can get rid of these migraines.
> 
> Either way, have fun and hope to hear you on the air!
> 
> 73,
> Bridget, KS4YT
> 
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