[VHFcontesting] Grid activation DN02/03/04 final thoughts.

[barry at k7bwh.com]

Thanks Tim, but all the credit for that effort goes to James K7KQA. My part was to lounge at home with adult beverages after giving him some good information, of which a fair part was originally from Mike KB7ME. I think my rover location website <https://coilgun.info/rover-or/home-map.htm>  for that area in Oregon was also helpful.

I can’t say enough what a big advantage it is to carry a big station on grid expeditions. James did a lot of work and a great job assembling and testing everything thoroughly in advance.

My own plans are to activate another grid or two in northern Idaho. At the moment, short trips into DN24-DN28 in Idaho have my interest, probably starting with DN26. I don’t have specific dates or routes at this time.

Keep those rovers rovin’.

73 Barry K7BWH
Seattle, WA  CN87us

 

From: K7XC Tim Marek <k7xcnv1 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 10:24 AM
To: Barry K7BWH <barry at k7bwh.com>
Cc: James C <jabeco at gmail.com>; FFMA at yahoogroups.com; PNWVHFS <PNWVHFS at googlegroups.com>; VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Grid activation DN02/03/04 final thoughts.

 

Another Great Job Barry! 

 

All these grids on with large stations during good conditions is an amazing feat.

 

I cant tell you how many time I drove to DN00 during a Es opening to only arrive to a dead band.

 

Where you off to next I wonder?

 

73s de Tim - K7XC - DM09jh... sk

Adapt, Overcome, Succeed!

 

On Tue, Jun 18, 2019 at 4:56 PM <barry at k7bwh.com <mailto:barry at k7bwh.com> > wrote:

James, attaboy, way to go! So glad to hear you could be on the air from those difficult-to-reach spots while there was propagation to make it pay off. What an ambitious and successful trip.

Big trips with big equipment like yours are a big deal. I doubt that many people realize how remote and empty those places are, and how much work it takes to pull off. You were really a long way from anywhere. It’s fantastic that you’re able to get there and pulling a trailer no less.

A successful grid expedition is not exactly a one-man job; it takes a bunch of people to pool their good ideas to make it work well. I’m honored to be mentioned among your supporters. And I share your gratefulness to Mike KB7ME for all his support to me as well in the last few years!

Congratulations,

Barry Hansen K7BWH
Seattle, WA  CN87us

From: James C <jabeco at gmail.com <mailto:jabeco at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 8:30 AM
To: FFMA at yahoogroups.com <mailto:FFMA at yahoogroups.com> ; PNWVHFS <PNWVHFS at googlegroups.com <mailto:PNWVHFS at googlegroups.com> >; VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com <mailto:vhfcontesting at contesting.com> >
Subject: Grid activation DN02/03/04 final thoughts.

Howdy folks, 

I'm home, well rested and unpacked. 

I had an absolute blast heading activating these grids. There will definitely be more activation's to come. 

I don't think I could have picked a better weekend. The band cndx were awesome!

A couple of trip highlights, 

Watching Scott (AA5AM) work Petr (AG6EE) for 'all the marbles' in real time! What an awesome feat!

Working KL7, ZF1 and everything in between.

Between Petr and myself. Putting DN01/02/03 on the air all at the same time AND during an awesome opening. I think we made a lot of people happy. 

Having an absolutely awesome group of guys on Slack. Slack enhanced the trip 10 fold. You probably wouldn't understand unless you were there. Such a blast and I made a bunch of new friends. It was super fun to celebrate Scott's achievement with him and the rest of the group in real-time too. 

All the support I received from the community before, during and after the trip. 

I tried to work the DN04/05 line, and although I found it, it was in a terrible location (slot canyon). I lost a few good hours getting there, getting stuck, getting back out.. On the bright side, Some of the guys on Slack did some map work and found a couple of amazing 04/05 line locations. I'll go back and work these line spots someday. 

Special thank you to all the people who supported me on this trip. An amazing outpouring of generosity.

Extra special thank you's to Barry (K7BWH), Dan (N5TM), Doc (WA7HQD) and Mike (K7ULS) for going the extra mile in one way or another. 

Extra EXTRA special thank you to Mike (KB7ME) for helping me find the DN02/03 line, tons of advice and mentoring. Mike also called me before and during the trip to make sure I was doing OK, Mike also kept a watchful eye out the entire trip and volunteered to come help if I got in a jam. I was very fortunate to have Mike as my 'sherpa'. 

All the logs have been uploaded to LoTW. Please check on the actual LoTW site before contacting me if you think there is a problem. Some of the logging software out there doesn't know how to parse out two grids at once. LoTW site is the only way to be sure.  If your still not seeing your contact or have a problem, please email off-list and we'll figure it out. jabeco at gmail.com <mailto:jabeco at gmail.com>  <mailto:jabeco at gmail.com <mailto:jabeco at gmail.com> > 

Needless to say.. the rove bug has bitten and bitten hard. I'm already dreaming up the next trip. A DN07/08 trip was batted around the group and seemed to garner the most chatter. I have a very busy summer schedule but keep an eye out on this reflector for my next activation notice.

Wyatt, Dave and I talked about collaborating in the future. Who knows where that might lead :)

73 till next time, .-James K7KQA DN06

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