VHF QSO Party Jan 2011

Today was the first day of the VHF QSO party.
I decided to brave the weather, and headed to the old radar site near Saugatuck/Douglas/Singapore for a QRP portable operation. This site has decent elevation and a killer view to the west over Lake Michigan. The downside is that there are 302 steps to the top.

The temperature hovered around 17ºF, with winds from 5-25mph. 


You can see my old KLM 2 meter yagi, pointed west, overlooking the Lake.

In order to keep things lightweight, the FT-817, microphone  telegraph key, and the Yagi were brought to the top. My intent was to stay there for one hour.

Storm paper and a pencil were used for logging. Pens can't be trusted in these conditions.

I managed to work K2DRH, and K9RM before the radio or battery began to shut down. Keeping the 817 inside my coat seemed to help, so there must be thermal problems. I'll check into that later.
I could have probably worked more, but everyone was so quick to QSY to 432 or Six that they were gone before I could call them.


Many stations were loud and clear up there, including WB9WOZ, W9GA, W9IIX, and a couple in Iowa. Surprisingly, no Michigan stations were received. Listening to 6 meters using a whip, only revealed  computer noise. It was probably coming from the building. WWMT has their camera on the radar tower, and a WISP has equipment in there.


There wasn't any problem staying warm using the standard 3 layer clothing approach. It proved useful as a cushion when I slipped, and slid down a flight of stairs.

The drive home was almost as slow as the drive there, due to the "Squally" weather conditions.

Is "Squally" a word?

73 Art