[VHFcontesting] Sept VHF QSO party pictures

[Keith A Miller]

As many of you know KF9OK and I went to Drummond Island, EN86, for the 
contest.  The location that we secured by email and phone calls was 
difficult to access and not the best for clear propagation to say the 
least.  When setting up the 6 meter H Double-bay array with reflector we 
bent the push up mast and had to go buy a hacksaw and some makeshift 
parts to cut it off and get the antenna set up.   That put the antenna 
about 10 ft lower than we originally planned.  When we first planned the 
trip we thought we would have 4 operators,  but 2 backed out and we 
couldn't find replacements.   Being short handed we didn't set up the 
amps for 2 and 432 so we were running at 50 watts on those bands.
As everyone knows propagation wasn't great for the contest.    From 
Drummond we didn't notice any tropo and only a little meteor scatter on 
6 meters.

We were using the Icom-7000 on 6 meters and the Yaesu FT-847 on 2 and 
432 on saturday.
Sunday we changed and used the FT-847 on 6 and 432 and the IC-7000 on 2 
meters

We did manage to work 2 stations on all 3 bands.  I was happy that we 
could work 230 miles on 432 MHz.

One very frustrating time was when we heard 2 stations talking about  us 
and the one was asking if we ever got to Drummond.  The other station 
replied that he did know that we were there but we had weak signals and 
would be hard to work.   We could hear both of them and tried to break 
into their conversation but no luck.  I know if either of you are 
reading this that now you feel real bad.

here are links to our pictures from the trip.
KF9OK's pictures <http://muzepix.com/places/drummond/>
My pictures <http://keithmillerphotography.com/drummond/>

We had a good time and are already working on plans for our next trip.  
If we go back to EN86 we have scouted some better locations and are 
working on some changes to the equipment for anywhere we go.  On monday 
of this week I picked up a 40 foot Rohn 25 tower with tilt over base 
that can go under the trailer or truck wheel so one of the flimsy masts 
will be eliminated.
If you are one of the few who made a contact with us and want our 
Drummond Island card, QSL direct to KA9RSL.

Keith,  KA9RSL