Chillycon 2012
Chillycon 2012
ChillyCon - OV-QRP Camping Weekend
Another Ottawa Valley QRP Society Fall Camping Weekend has just come and gone. Given that we haven’t actually had Chili at one of these events for a couple of years, and the weather is often a bit nippy, I suggest that we officially re-name the event from “Chilicon” to “Chillycon”.
We had a great turnout this year, with most of the campsites on the 175-186 loop at Rideau River Provincial Park occupied and radio-active. Our Saturday night take-out Pizza Dinner had 14 attendees which is a record ! As usual, Capilano Pizza in Kemptville did a fine job and delivered a lot of Pizza to the entrance of the park.
No Chillycon report would be complete without at least a passing mention of the weather. Fortunately most of us who arrived on Friday did so early enough to be able to setup tents and tarps before the seemingly endless string of rain showers came through, lasting well past midnight. It wouldn’t be appropriate to call this event “Chillycon” without the tradition of having at least one night of camping reach a low temperature very near freezing. This year didn’t disappoint as Saturday evening it reportedly went down to about 3 C.
Some of the highlights of this years event :
-An increased attendance this year by the members of the Frontenac Radio Group from Kingston. These guys are a real hoot. Bill (VE3CLQ) you can bring your friends along any time !
-WWII Wireless Set No. 19 Setup and demo by Dave, VA3ORP and Chris, VE3CBK. (http://www.qsl.net/ve3bdb/)
-WWII Signal Lamp Morse QSOs between campsites 171 and 181 (down the road) on Sunday morning. (http://www.museumoftechnology.org.uk/expand.php?key=519)
-Brunch at the Broadway Bar in Grill on Sunday morning.
- Working Bob VE3UK who I know from the Magloop Yahoo Group. Me using my KX1 and G5RV Jr. on 40m and him using his recently constructed 4ft diameter Mag loop in his living room with an SG2020.
And now the bit that you have all been waiting for ... the unofficial, but highly coveted, Chillycon Awards (good for bragging rights until at least next years event).
Best overall toys :
-The award goes to Chris, VA3CME for his KX3 and Parrot Ar. Drone Quadracopter (the coolest toy I have event seen) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze84IaSnKFs&list=FLF84F_NVDIVGkwfPLOWIp7w&index=16&feature=plcp)
Best DX :
-Eric VA3AMX worked VK7CW in Tasmania on CW using his K2 and a G5RV.
Till next year .. stay warm and dry.
Monday, September 17, 2012