We setup the CAT trailer on "Disaster Row" along with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The small clump of pine trees behind us was used to hold 50 feet of wire about 15 feet high. An additional 60' of wire was wrapped around the base of the trees as a counterpoise. We used this antenna to test communications with KD4PQQ from his home QTH roughly 18 miles away. We had great success on 40 meters, but none on 20 or 80 meters. However, on 80 meters Ron was able to hear that someone was calling. Because Ron was using a vertical I expected the limited success on 80 meters. It would be interesting to see what the results would be with both stations using horizontal antennas.

 

Here's the CAT trailer staffed and ready to work. Don, WA3NIW manned the VHF station while Cheryl, N9SRO and Joe, KD4BTD operated on HF using a portable vertical antenna mounted on a tripod. The VHF station used the PVC dipole that is kept on the CAT trailer and we used our own 145.15 machine for our operations.

 

The opening ceremony of the Mega Scout Show was in traditional Boy Scout style with plenty of uniforms, salutes, and flags. There was even a band from a local high school!

 

A couple of Boy Scouts "Ham it up" with Ron, KD4PQQ on the other end of the QSO while Don, WA3NIW and Steve, N1XC look on.

 

David, K4ZZR setup a second HF station and made both stateside and DX contacts. Scouts both young and the not so young enjoyed talking on the radio.

 

Here's K4ZZR again with some scouts that got a treat. They had a ragchew with W5RRR, The Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club. We were treated to a Q. and A. session with great details on the space shuttle program.

 

Here's Don, KI4CAN and the rest of his Red Cross cohorts staffing a wilderness survival display.

 

 

Below are some more sights from the day. There was no shortage of activites for the boys to explore.