Stone Mountain, Georgia, July 29, 2001
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Had a go on 15M today from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Plan was to operate from the top of the mountain at 780 feet above local terrain. NWS radio predicted a line of thunderstorms to reach western side of Atlanta by 1:30pm (EDT). |
| Got to the top of the mountain at 1:07 and could see the storms off to the west, about 25 miles away, but already 15-20MPH winds on the top of the mountain. Pavilion would not provide enough shelter, so after a rest, it was back down the hill to the "half-way point" (about 2/3 way up the mountain) where I was QRV at 1:54pm. |  |
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15 was up and down, but then pretty solid after 3:00pm or so. N0UR was BOOMing into Georgia! But so were the storms. First line hit about 2:30pm. Sorry for the crummy signal reports...you were fighting 30-40dB over S9 lightning crashes. Sun came out about 3:00. Worked just about everybody I could hear, running my K1 at 1W into an MP1. Treats were VA7NT/BB, W6QC (WA), and Russ, AA4QU (OR)--two more states towards WAS QRP 1Watt. Also, always enjoy working Zach, W1VT. Thanks, Gents! |
| Heard the second line of storms moving in at 4:00pm. Figured I could hold out until 4:30, but pulled the plug after working Paul, VA7NT. Packed up and headed down the mountain. Made it about half-way before the sky opened up. The solid granite of Stone Mountain (purported to reach into 5 states) turned into a sluice-way. K1 and MP1 packed tightly and neatly and were safe from the rain (thank you Wayne Burdick for that new KBT1!), but I was drenched. The lightning was SPECTACULAR! So, only made 18 QSO's, all on 15, but had another really enjoyable BB. See y'all next year! |  |